MOBILE ZIPPER UNIT
First Claim
1. A zipper manifold comprising:
- a mixing block having a buffer chamber, a chamber cross-sectional area, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and at least a second outlet;
wherein the first inlet has a first cross-sectional area and a second inlet has a second cross-sectional area;
further wherein a first cumulative cross-sectional area of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is less than the chamber cross-sectional area;
wherein the first outlet has a third cross-sectional area and the at least second outlet has a fourth cross-sectional area;
further wherein a second cumulative cross-sectional area of the outlets is greater than or equal to the cumulative cross-sectional area of the first and second cross-sectional areas;
a first fluid stream entering the buffer chamber through the first inlet, a second fluid stream entering the buffer chamber through the second inlet;
wherein the first fluid stream impinges upon the second fluid stream in a substantially opposing direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus to distribute pressurized fluid from one or more sources to multiple wellbores. The apparatus includes a manifold having at least two inlets and at least two outlets. Pressurized fluid is brought into the manifold from opposing directions so that the fluid from one inlet will impinge upon the fluid from the other inlet thereby de-energizing the fluid. Additionally, the manifold is configured such that the cross-sectional area of the inlets is less than the cross-sectional area of the manifold thereby decreasing velocity minimizing the kinetic energy available to erode or otherwise damage equipment, while providing a pressure decrease as the fluid enters the manifold. The outlets are configured such that the cross-sectional area of the outlets providing fluid to a single wellbore is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the inlets such that no pressure increase occurs within the manifold or the outlets as the fluid exits the manifold. Additional velocity reduction enhancements may include angled or camp third turns between the inlet and the manifold or the manifold and an outlet.
48 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A zipper manifold comprising:
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a mixing block having a buffer chamber, a chamber cross-sectional area, a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and at least a second outlet; wherein the first inlet has a first cross-sectional area and a second inlet has a second cross-sectional area; further wherein a first cumulative cross-sectional area of the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area is less than the chamber cross-sectional area; wherein the first outlet has a third cross-sectional area and the at least second outlet has a fourth cross-sectional area; further wherein a second cumulative cross-sectional area of the outlets is greater than or equal to the cumulative cross-sectional area of the first and second cross-sectional areas; a first fluid stream entering the buffer chamber through the first inlet, a second fluid stream entering the buffer chamber through the second inlet; wherein the first fluid stream impinges upon the second fluid stream in a substantially opposing direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A zipper manifold assembly comprising:
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at least two mixing blocks; wherein the mixing blocks are coupled to form a buffer chamber assembly; the buffer chamber assembly has a first inlet and a second inlet; a first fluid stream and a second fluid stream enter the buffer chamber assembly in substantially opposing directions; each mixing block has a first outlet and at least a second outlet. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of distributing fluid to a series of wellbores:
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pumping a fluid into a mixing block; wherein the mixing block has at least two inlets; forcing the fluid to enter the mixing block through the at least two inlets in substantially opposing directions; wherein the fluid has a first pressure prior to entering the mixing block and a second lower pressure after entering the mixing block; and distributing fluid from the mixing block selectively to at least two wells; wherein each well is connected to the mixing block by at least two fluid conduits. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification