Patent · US Expired

Method for controlling the density of a well fracturing slurry

US5441340A · kind A · utility

67Cited by
27References
15Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 1994
Grant dateAug 15, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 19, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB01F23/56
  • WIPO fieldChemical engineering
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An automated density and chemical controller automatically controls the density and chemical proportions of a slurry that is injected into a well during a well fracturing operation. The automated density controller receives from the operator the parameters of the fracturing operation and automatically controls the addition of a proppant to water to produce a slurry with a desired density. The automated density controller measures the incoming flow of water into a blender tub and regulates the delivery of proppant in the blender tub to produce a slurry of the desired density. The performance characteristics of the mechanism used to deliver the proppant are programmed into the controller to enable the controller to regulate the quantity of proppant delivered by controlling the operational speed of the delivery mechanism. The automated chemical controller regulates the addition of chemicals based on the incoming flow rate. The automated density controller also measures the flow of the slurry discharged from the blender tub and, together with the incoming flow rate, calculates the actual density of the slurry. After comparing the actual density with the desired density, the automated d…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.