Apparatus and method for continuously mixing fluids
First Claim
1. Apparatus for hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a gel, such as a well treatment gel, comprising:
- water spraying induction mixing means for spraying the polymer with a water spray and forming a water-polymer mixture having a motive energy; and
a centrifugal diffuser means, connected to the water spraying induction mixing means, for receiving the mixture from the mixing means and passively converting the motion of the mixture into circular motion, thereby centrifugally separating and discharging air from the mixture, centrifugally dissipating the motive energy of the mixture, and hydrating the mixture into a gel.
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Abstract
Apparatus and method of hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a well treatment gel includes a mixer for spraying the polymer with water at a substantially constant water velocity and at a substantially constant water spray pattern at all flow rates of the water. A centrifugal diffuser is connected to the mixer for receiving the mixture, centrifugally diffusing the motive energy of the mixture, and hydrating the mixture into a gel. A centrifugal separator and constant velocity jet pump may be connected between the mixer and the centrifugal diffuser. A dilution valve is connected to the discharge of the centrifugal diffuser for mixing water with the gel at a substantially constant mixing energy at all flow rates of the gel and producing a diluted gel. A viscometer may be connected to the discharge of the dilution valve for measuring the viscosity of the diluted gel and regulating the flow of gel from the centrifugal diffuser to the dilution valve in order to control the viscosity of the diluted gel.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. Apparatus for hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a gel, such as a well treatment gel, comprising:
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water spraying induction mixing means for spraying the polymer with a water spray and forming a water-polymer mixture having a motive energy; and a centrifugal diffuser means, connected to the water spraying induction mixing means, for receiving the mixture from the mixing means and passively converting the motion of the mixture into circular motion, thereby centrifugally separating and discharging air from the mixture, centrifugally dissipating the motive energy of the mixture, and hydrating the mixture into a gel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. Apparatus for hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a gel, such as a well treatment gel, comprising:
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water spraying induction mixing means for mixing the polymer with water to form a water-polymer mixture; separating means, connected to the mixing means, for receiving the water-polymer mixture and separating air therefrom; a pump, connected to the separating means, for imparting motive energy to the mixture and pumping the mixture from the separating means; and a centrifugal diffuser means, connected to the pump, for receiving the mixture discharged from the pump and passively converting the motion of the mixture into circular motion, thereby centrifugally dissipating the motive energy of the mixture, centrifugally separating air from the mixture, and flowing the mixture in a first-fluid-in, first-fluid-out flow regime in order to hydrate the polymer into a gel.
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30. Apparatus for hydrating a particulated polymer and producing a gel, such as a well treatment gel, comprising:
- water spraying induction mixing means for mixing the polymer with a water spray and
discharging a water-polymer mixture having a motive energy from the outlet of the mixing means; a centrifugal separator means, connected to the outlet of the mixing means, for receiving the mixture and passively converting the motion of the mixture into circular motion, thereby centrifugally separating air from the mixture and providing a flow path for the discharge of the mixing means which does not significantly restrict air flow through the mixing means; and a pump, connected to an outlet of the centrifugal separator, for pumping the centrifugally separated mixture to a hydration tank.
- water spraying induction mixing means for mixing the polymer with a water spray and
Specification