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Well Stimulation Pump Control and Method

  • US 20170226998A1
  • Filed: 02/04/2016
  • Published: 08/10/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2016
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A pumping system for use in a well stimulation application, comprising:

  • a pump having an inlet and at least one pumping element, each pumping element including a piston reciprocally disposed in a bore, an inlet check valve in fluid communication with the inlet and an outlet check valve associated with a variable volume defined in a bore;

    a pressure sensor disposed to measure a fluid pressure at a location between the inlet check valve and the inlet of the pump;

    a drive mechanism for driving a reciprocal motion of the piston;

    a speed sensor disposed to measure a speed of the pump at the drive mechanism; and

    a controller associated with the pump and disposed to receive signals indicative of the fluid pressure and the speed of the pump;

    wherein the controller is programmed to;

    determine an operating point of the pump based on the fluid pressure and the speed of the pump;

    compare the operating point of the pump with a cavitation map that is predefined;

    determine whether cavitation is present in the at least one pumping element based on a result of the comparison between the operating point and the cavitation map; and

    when cavitation is present, at times, adjust an operation of the drive mechanism to reduce a speed of the pump.

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