Method and apparatus for continuously mixing well treatment fluids
First Claim
1. A method of hydrating a polymer to produce a well treatment gel, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a predetermined quantity of a hydratable polymer in a substantially particulate form, said polymer having a hydration-delaying coating, to a solids inlet of a water spraying mixer;
supplying a stream of water to a water inlet of said mixer;
adding a buffering compound to said stream of water for breaking down said coating on said polymer; and
mixing said polymer and water in said mixer, said mixer comprising means for directing said water in a substantially spiralling flow within said mixer, thereby wetting substantially all of the polymer particles to form a water-polymer mix prior to discharge from said mixer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for continuously mixing well treatment fluids, such as fracturing gels and the like. Dry polymer is fed into a metering feeder which accurately meters the rate of polymer fed into a water spraying mixer. A vent is provided so that air can enter with the polymer as necessary. Water, with or without a buffering compound therein, is flowed through a water inlet of the mixer. The water is jetted into a spiraling flow pattern through which the polymer falls and is substantially wetted. Auxiliary water inlets may be used to add additional water to the water-polymer slurry to increase mixing energy and increase the amount of slurry produced. The slurry is discharged into a mixing tank with an agitator and then into a holding tank. The slurry may also pass through a shear device to further increase the rate of viscosification of the slurry. In this way, the slurry may be continuously mixed on a real time basis while carrying out the well treatment operation, such as the fracturing of a formation.
149 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of hydrating a polymer to produce a well treatment gel, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a predetermined quantity of a hydratable polymer in a substantially particulate form, said polymer having a hydration-delaying coating, to a solids inlet of a water spraying mixer; supplying a stream of water to a water inlet of said mixer; adding a buffering compound to said stream of water for breaking down said coating on said polymer; and mixing said polymer and water in said mixer, said mixer comprising means for directing said water in a substantially spiralling flow within said mixer, thereby wetting substantially all of the polymer particles to form a water-polymer mix prior to discharge from said mixer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of producing a well treatment gel comprising the steps of:
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supplying a quantity of polymer having a hydration-delaying coating thereon to a metering feeder; discharging a metered quantity of said polymer from said feeder into a water spraying mixer, said mixer comprising means for directing water in a substantially spiralling flow within said mixer; continuously mixing buffered water with said polymer supplied to said mixer whereby said coating is broken down and thereby providing a substantially continuous discharge from said mixer of a buffered water-polymer slurry wherein said polymer is substantially completely wetted; and discharging said slurry from said mixer into a tank. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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Specification