U.S. patent application number 15/045972 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-18 for flow and pressure balanced frac tank farm.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hydra Heating Industries, LLC. Invention is credited to Yang-leh Cheng, Michael Hoffman.
Application Number | 20160237789 15/045972 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56621963 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160237789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoffman; Michael ; et
al. |
August 18, 2016 |
FLOW AND PRESSURE BALANCED FRAC TANK FARM
Abstract
Aspects of a pressure and flow balanced frac tank farm are
described herein. In one embodiment, a frac tank farm includes at
least one battery of frac tanks comprising a plurality of frac tank
trailers, a header pipe arrangement, and at least one valve between
one or more of the frac tank trailers and the header system. The
header pipe arrangement may include a header supply pipe to supply
water to individual ones of the plurality of frac tank trailers and
a header discharge pipe to discharge water from individual ones of
the plurality of frac tank trailers. The header pipe arrangement
may be relied upon to help balance the flow of heated fluids among
the frac tank trailers. Further, the frac tank farm may include
pressure balancing end pipes and a balancing header pipe
arrangement to help balance fill levels and water pressure among
frac tank trailers.
Inventors: |
Hoffman; Michael; (Foley,
AL) ; Cheng; Yang-leh; (Burlingame, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hydra Heating Industries, LLC |
Atlanta |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56621963 |
Appl. No.: |
15/045972 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62117016 |
Feb 17, 2015 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 43/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20060101
E21B041/00 |
Claims
1. A frac tank farm, comprising: at least one battery of frac tanks
comprising a plurality of frac tank trailers; a header pipe
arrangement comprising a header supply pipe to supply water to
individual ones of the plurality of frac tank trailers and a header
discharge pipe to discharge water from individual ones of the
plurality of frac tank trailers; and a valve between at least one
of the plurality of frac tank trailers and the header pipe
arrangement.
2. The frac tank farm according to claim 1, wherein the header pipe
arrangement further comprises a drain pipe to drain at least one of
the plurality of frac tank trailers.
3. The frac tank farm according to claim 1, further comprising a
pump in fluid communication with the header pipe arrangement to
pump water through at least a portion of the header pipe
arrangement.
4. The frac tank farm according to claim 1, wherein the header
supply pipe comprises a first plurality of pipes that extend along
the plurality of frac tank trailers, and the header discharge pipe
comprises a second plurality of pipes that extend along the
plurality of frac tank trailers.
5. The frac tank farm according to claim 1, further comprising at
least one shield affixed between two of the plurality of frac tank
trailers to avoid convective heat loss.
6. The frac tank farm according to claim 1, further comprising: a
balancing end pipe in each of the plurality of frac tank trailers;
and a balancing header pipe arrangement for pressure balancing
water among at least a portion of the plurality of frac tank
trailers.
7. A frac tank farm, comprising: a plurality of batteries of frac
tanks; and a header pipe arrangement comprising a header supply
pipe to supply water to at least one of the plurality batteries and
a header discharge pipe to discharge water from at least one of the
plurality of batteries, wherein the header supply pipe comprises a
first plurality of pipes that extend along the plurality of
batteries, and the header discharge pipe comprises a second
plurality of pipes that extend along the plurality of
batteries.
8. The frac tank farm according to claim 7, wherein a head end of a
first one of the plurality of batteries is positioned proximate to
a tail end of a second one of the plurality of batteries.
9. The frac tank farm according to claim 7, wherein a head end of a
first one of the plurality of batteries is positioned proximate to
a head end of a second one of the plurality of batteries.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/117,016, filed Feb. 17, 2015, the entire
contents of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The
complete disclosure of each of the foregoing priority and related
applications are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] One or more fluid storage tanks, such as frac or trailer
tanks, may be used to provide storage for fluid at various
locations, such as at drilling sites for oil wells, gas wells,
manufacturing facilities, warehouses, user facilities (e.g.,
biodiesel storage for farms), trans loading facilities, municipal
and public works locations, etc. In this context, a frac tank may
be towed to a temporary location by a tow vehicle. At the drilling
site, the frac tank may be unhooked from the tow vehicle and
positioned at a suitable location to be filled with fluid. When
positioned at the suitable position on stable ground, the frac tank
can be filled with fluid for storage and dispensing. Other types of
tanks may be stationary, in ground, above ground, round,
rectangular or square.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] Aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood
with reference to the following drawings. It is noted that the
elements in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with
emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the
principles of the embodiments. In the drawings, like reference
numerals designate like or corresponding, but not necessarily the
same, elements throughout the several views.
[0004] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example flow
balanced frac tank farm according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0005] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of an example header
pipe arrangement according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down view of the flow balanced frac
tank farm in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of part of a header
pipe arrangement in the flow balanced frac tank farm in FIG. 1
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an example flow
balanced frac tank farm according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of part of a header
pipe arrangement in the flow balanced frac tank farm in FIG. 4
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 6 illustrates a top-down view of the flow balanced frac
tank farm in FIG. 4 according to another embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of another part of the
header pipe arrangement in the flow balanced frac tank farm in FIG.
4 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 8 illustrates a shield between two frac tank trailers
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 9 illustrates a header pipe arrangement including an
alternative drain header according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 10 illustrates pressure balancing end pipes in a frac
tank farm according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 11 illustrates a header pipe arrangement for balancing
the frac tank farm in FIG. 10 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 12 illustrates a pressure balancing end pipe according
to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 13 illustrates operation of the flow balanced frac tank
farm according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] As noted above, frac tanks may be used to provide storage
for fluid at various locations, such as drilling sites for oil and
gas wells, for example. When located and positioned at a suitable
position, a frac tank can be filled with fluid for storage and
dispensing. Examples of fluids that may be stored in frac tanks
include fracking liquids, drilling mud, fluids from environmental
cleanup, water, brine, etc. As used herein, the term "fluid"
includes any material or composition of materials of suitable
viscosity to flow through pipes or tubes and into and out of a
storage tank, with or without pumping. Thus, the term "fluid" is
intended to include any flowing mixture, suspension, or slurry,
regardless of materials.
[0019] Depending upon the needs at the site, the volume of fluid
held by a single frac tank may be insufficient. For example, the
volume of fluid held by a single frac tank trailer, positioned at a
suitable location by a tractor, may be insufficient for certain
jobs. Further, larger solutions, such as frac pools, may be
unsuitable, undesirable, or unavailable for various reasons. In
this case, according to the embodiments described herein, a group
of frac tank trailers may be arranged together in one or more
batteries of frac tanks to form a frac tank farm.
[0020] It may also be desirable or necessary to heat the fluid
stored in a frac tank. For example, in hydraulic fracturing, heated
fluid is pumped into wells to stimulate the removal of oil and/or
gas deposits. In the case of a frac tank farm, it may be relatively
difficult to evenly disperse or diffuse heated fluid throughout the
frac tank trailers in the frac tank farm. Thus, according to the
embodiments described herein, a header pipe arrangement may be
relied upon to help balance the flow of heated fluids among the
frac tank trailers in a frac tank farm. Further, it may be
relatively difficult to evenly balance fill levels and/or water
pressure throughout the frac tank trailers in the frac tank farm.
Thus, according to other aspects of the embodiments described
herein, pressure balancing end pipes and a balancing header pipe
arrangement may be relied upon to help balance fill levels and
water pressure among the frac tank trailers in a frac tank
farm.
[0021] In the context outlined above, aspects of flow and pressure
balanced frac tank farms are described herein. In one embodiment, a
flow and pressure balanced frac tank farm includes at least one
battery of frac tanks comprising a plurality of frac tank trailers,
a header pipe arrangement, and at least one valve between one or
more of the frac tank trailers and the header system. The header
pipe arrangement may include a header supply pipe to supply water
to individual ones of the plurality of frac tank trailers and a
header discharge pipe to discharge water from individual ones of
the plurality of frac tank trailers. The header pipe arrangement
may be relied upon to help balance the flow of heated fluids among
the frac tank trailers in frac tank farm. In various embodiments,
the balance of the flow may or may not be augmented by valves,
restrictive orifices, pumps, or headers. Also, depending upon the
terrain, additional augmentation using valves, restrictive
orifices, pumps, or headers may be relied upon. Further, the frac
tank farm may include pressure balancing end pipes and an
associated balancing header pipe arrangement to help balance fill
levels and water pressure in the frac tank farm.
[0022] Turning now to the drawings, various structural and
functional aspects of the embodiments are described in further
detail.
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example flow
balanced frac tank farm 100 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. It should be appreciated that frac tank farm
100 in FIG. 1 is provided by way of example only. In other words,
the embodiments frac tank farms described herein may be arranged in
other configurations.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the frac tank farm 100 includes
four batteries 110 of frac tank trailers 120, arranged in two rows.
In FIG. 1, each battery 110 includes ten frac tank trailers 120,
for a total of forty frac tank trailers 120 in the frac tank farm
100, although any battery 110 may include a lesser or greater
number of frac tank trailers 120 among embodiments. The frac tank
farm 100 also includes a header pipe arrangement 130. Among other
components, the header pipe arrangement 130 includes at least one
header supply pipe to supply water to individual ones of the frac
tank trailers 120 and at least one header discharge pipe to
discharge water from individual ones of the frac tank trailers 120.
The header pipe arrangement 130 is designed to balance the flow of
fluid relatively evenly among the frac tank trailers 120 in the
frac tank farm 100. Particularly when fluid in the frac tank
trailers 120 is being heated and exchanged, the header pipe
arrangement 130 is designed to balance the flow of heated fluid
relatively evenly among the frac tank trailers 120, so as to
achieve a substantially evenly heated temperature of fluid among
the frac tank trailers 120. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
1, the head ends of the frac tank trailers 120 are facing each
other ("head-to-head") along the central column 136 (FIG. 2) of the
header pipe arrangement 130. The tail ends of the frac tank
trailers 120, having wheels, are further apart from each other.
[0025] To heat the fluid in the frac tank farm 100, a heater truck
140 may be relied upon. The header pipe arrangement 130 may be
installed or otherwise connected for fluid communication between
the frac tank trailers 120 in the frac tank farm 100 and the heater
truck 140. In this configuration, fluid may be discharged from the
frac tank trailers 120, routed to the heater truck 140 for heating
by the header pipe arrangement 130, and returned to the frac tank
trailers 120 by the header pipe arrangement 130. Thus, in one
configuration, the header pipe arrangement 130 provides a closed
fluid loop between the frac tank trailers 120 in the frac tank farm
100 and the heater truck 140. The heater truck 140 may be capable
of generating an amount of energy, measured in British Thermal
Units (BTUs), for example, to heat the fluid from the frac tank
trailers 120. Depending upon the desired temperature and other
factors, the heater truck 140 may be selected to provide ten or
more million BTUs for each battery 110 of ten frac tank trailers
120, although other suitable ratios of BTUs to tanks may be relied
upon.
[0026] Each frac tank trailer 120 includes a storage tank and
wheels. A frac tank trailer 120 may be formed from steel or any
other material suitable for the application. The walls of the frac
tank trailer 120 may be formed from corrugated steel plate, pig
iron, plastic or other materials, formed into a rectangular tank
structure, and welded along one edge to the tank base. Inside the
walls, a liner for the storage tank may or may not be relied upon
to separate or insulate the storage tank from the walls, as some
tanks are single walled. Generally, the wheels of the frac tank
trailer 120 may be relied upon to transport and position the frac
tank trailer 120 to any suitable location using a tractor, for
example.
[0027] In some embodiments, one or more of the frac tank trailers
120 may include an exchanger to help disperse fluid relatively
evenly over its storage tank. One example of such an exchanger is
described in U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No.
14/526,204, filed Oct. 28, 2014, and titled "Frac and Storage Tank
Exchanger."
[0028] FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of the header pipe
arrangement 130 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1A, the header pipe
arrangement 130 includes a header supply pipe 132 to supply water
to individual ones of the plurality of frac tank trailers 120 (FIG.
1) and a header discharge pipe 134 to discharge water from
individual ones of the plurality of frac tank trailers 120 (FIG.
1). The header supply pipe 132 and header discharge pipe 134
provide a closed fluid loop between the frac tank trailers 120 in
the frac tank farm 100 and the heater truck 140 (FIG. 1), for
example. Specifically, fluid may be routed from the frac tank
trailers 120 to the heater truck 140 for heating through the header
discharge pipe 134 and returned to the frac tank trailers 120
through the header supply pipe 132.
[0029] Header supply tubes 132A branch off the header supply pipe
132 and supply water to individual ones of the frac tank trailers
120. Similarly, discharge supply tubes 134A branch off the header
discharge pipe 134 to discharge water from individual ones of the
frac tank trailers 120. In one embodiment, the lengths of the
header supply tubes 132A are similar to (e.g., the same or nearly
the same as) those of the discharge supply tubes 134A, although
different lengths may be relied upon. In some embodiments, valves
may be placed in one or more of the header supply tubes 132A or the
discharge supply tubes 134A to control the flow of fluids into or
out of the individual ones of the frac tank trailers 120.
[0030] The header supply tubes 132A may be evenly spaced and
connected along the central column 136 (FIG. 2) of the header
supply pipe 132 in one embodiment, although any suitable spacing
may be used, as needed, depending upon the positions of the frac
tank trailers 120, for example. First ends of the header supply
tubes 132A may be connected with the header supply pipe 132 using
tee joints or other suitable fittings or attachment means. Second
ends of the header supply tubes 132A may be connected to one or
more fluid input or intake ports or manifolds at the head of the
frac tank trailers 120 (see also, e.g., FIG. 3). In some
embodiments, the volume of fluid provided through the header supply
tubes 132A may be pressure and/or volume balanced along the central
column 136 of the header supply pipe 132 to allow balanced flow to
the frac tank trailers 120. Connections to the header supply pipe
132 may be calculated or determined empirically for balanced or
desired flow among each of the header supply tubes 132A. Also, the
positions and inclination/declination of each connection to the
header supply pipe 132 may be relied upon as a restrictive orifice.
In this context, smaller or larger openings and hoses may be relied
upon to augment the balance of the flow.
[0031] The discharge supply tubes 134A may also be evenly spaced
and connected along the central column of the discharge supply pipe
134 in one embodiment, although any suitable spacing may be used,
as needed, depending upon the positions of the frac tank trailers
120, for example. First ends of the discharge supply tubes 134A may
be connected with the discharge supply pipe 134 using tee joints or
other suitable fittings or attachment means. Second ends of the
discharge supply tubes 134A may be connected to one or more fluid
output ports or manifolds at the head of the frac tank trailers
120. In some embodiments, the volume of fluid provided through the
discharge supply tubes 134A may be pressure and/or volume balanced
along the central column 136 of the discharge supply pipe 134 to
allow even flow from the frac tank trailers 120. In some
embodiments, valves may be placed in one or more of the discharge
supply tubes 134A to control the flow of fluids out of the
individual ones of the frac tank trailers 120. Connections to the
discharge supply pipe 134 may be calculated or determined
empirically for balanced or desired flow among each of the
discharge supply tubes 134A. Also, the positions and
inclination/declination of each connection to the discharge supply
pipe 134 may be relied upon as a restrictive orifice. In this
context, smaller or larger openings and hoses may be relied upon to
augment the balance of the flow.
[0032] As also shown in FIG. 1A, the header pipe arrangement 130
includes a drain pipe 138 and drain supply tubes 138A which branch
off the drain pipe 138. The drain pipe 138 may be relied upon as an
alternative way to discharge or drain fluid from the frac tank
trailers 120. The drain supply tubes 138A may be connected to one
or more fluid output ports or manifolds at a tail of the frac tank
trailers 120.
[0033] It is noted that, in various embodiments, the header pipe
arrangement 130 may be embodied by any suitable type or types of
pipes or tubes formed from any suitable material, such as metal,
metal alloys, plastic, etc. The header pipe arrangement 130 may be
constructed using several different parts, pieces, and/or lengths
of pipes or tubes, and associated fittings, as needed, based on the
configuration and size of the frac tank farm 100. In some
embodiments, the header pipe arrangement 130 may be insulated, at
least in part, to help prevent the loss of heat from the fluid in
the header pipe arrangement 130.
[0034] FIG. 2 illustrates a top-down view of the flow balanced frac
tank farm 100 in FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure. In the view provided in FIG. 2, it is clear how the
header supply pipe 132 and the header discharge pipe 134 are routed
from the heater truck 140 and centrally between two of the
batteries 110 in one row before branching off to the central column
136 of the header pipe arrangement 130. By centrally positioning
parts of the header pipe arrangement 130 among the frac tank
trailers 120 in the frac tank farm 100, a more balanced and/or even
supply of heated fluids may be exchanged among the frac tank
trailers 120. Similarly, a balanced and/or even supply of heated
fluids may be drained from the frac tank trailers 120 using drain
pipe 138.
[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of part of a header
pipe arrangement 130 in the flow balanced frac tank farm in FIG. 1
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 3,
the header supply tubes 132A and the discharge supply tubes 134A
can be more easily seen extending from the header supply pipe 132
and the discharge supply pipe 134, respectively, to the individual
ones of the frac tank trailers 120. As shown, the header supply
tubes 132A may be evenly spaced and connected along the header
supply pipe 132. First ends of the header supply tubes 132A may be
connected with the header supply pipe 132 using tee joints or other
suitable fittings or attachment means. Second ends of the header
supply tubes 132A may be connected to one or more fluid input or
intake ports or manifolds 1326 at the head of the frac tank
trailers 120.
[0036] The discharge supply tubes 134A may also be evenly spaced
and connected along the discharge supply pipe 134, as illustrated.
First ends of the discharge supply tubes 134A may be connected with
the discharge supply pipe 134 using tee joints or other suitable
fittings or attachment means. Second ends of the discharge supply
tubes 134A may be connected to one or more fluid output ports or
manifolds 134B at the head of the frac tank trailers 120. In some
embodiments, valves may be placed in one or more of the discharge
supply tubes 134A to control the flow of fluids out of the
individual ones of the frac tank trailers 120.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an example flow
balanced frac tank farm 400 according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the
head ends of the first row 410 of the frac tank trailers 120 are
facing the tail ends of the second row 420 of the frac tank
trailers 120 ("head-to-tail"). This configuration may be easier to
arrange, especially if the frac tank trailers 120 are delivered and
positioned by semi tractors. As compared to the arrangement of the
header supply pipe 132 and the header discharge pipe 134 in FIGS.
1, 1A, 2, and 3, the header supply pipe 432 and the header
discharge pipe 434 in FIG. 4 run in two columns rather than one,
due to the "head-to-tail" arrangement of the frac tank trailers
120. Similarly, as compared to the drain pipe 138 (FIG. 1), the
drain pipe 438 is arranged in an alternative way due to the
"head-to-tail" arrangement of the frac tank trailers 120.
[0038] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of part of the flow
balanced frac tank farm 400 in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment
of the present disclosure. In addition to the header supply pipe
432, the header discharge pipe 434, and the drain pipe 438, FIG. 4
illustrates a pump 500 between the header supply pipe 432 and the
header discharge pipe 434. The pump 500 may be relied upon to
assist with the flow of fluid between the frac tank trailers 120
and the heater truck 140. The pump 500 may be embodied as any
suitable size or style pump, depending upon the viscosity of the
fluid in the frac tank trailers 120 and other factors. In FIG. 5,
valves 420 are also shown between the frac tank trailers 120 and
the drain pipe 438. It should be appreciated that valves, similar
to valve 420, may be relied upon in various locations between any
header pipes and the frac tank trailers 120 or in the header pipes
themselves.
[0039] FIG. 6 illustrates a top-down view of the flow balanced frac
tank farm 400 in FIG. 4 according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure. In the view provided in FIG. 6, it is clear how
the header supply pipe 432, the header discharge pipe 434, and the
drain pipe 438 are routed from the heater truck 140 to the frac
tank trailers 120.
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the flow balanced
frac tank farm 400 in FIG. 4 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. In FIG. 7, the header supply pipe 432 and the
header discharge pipe 434 run from the heater truck 140 to a center
split 700, before being routed along the head ends of the frac tank
trailers 120. By making the center split 700 substantially in the
middle of the header pipes, the temperature of the fluid that flows
among the frac tank trailers 120 may be substantially uniform.
[0041] FIG. 8 illustrates a shield 800 between two frac tank
trailers 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
The shield 800 may help prevent heat from radiating from the frac
tank trailers 120, by preventing or reducing wind from circulating
around the frac tank trailers 120. Shields similar to the shield
800 may be arranged and mounted between one or more pairs of the
frac tank trailers 120, among embodiments, as desired. The shield
800 may be formed from metal, wood, plastic or any other suitable
material and may be secured to the frac tank trailers 120 using
magnets, mechanical fastening means (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.),
hooks, or any other suitable fastening or affixing means. In other
aspects of the embodiments, the frac tank trailers 120 may be
insulated in other ways, including insulation wraps, jackets, and
other coverings.
[0042] FIG. 9 illustrates a header pipe arrangement including an
alternative drain header 900 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 9, the alternative drain
header 900 is connected in fluid communication with an alternate
drain, orifice, or opening of the frac tank trailers 120. In this
context, it should be appreciated that the frac tank trailers 120
may be drained using one or more drain headers.
[0043] FIG. 10 illustrates pressure balancing end pipes 1002 in a
frac tank farm according to one embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 11 illustrates a header pipe arrangement
including pipes 1004, 1006, and 1008 for pressure balancing the
frac tank farm in FIG. 10 according to one embodiment of the
present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, a pressure balancing end
pipe 1002, formed in a "J" shape, is included within each frac tank
trailer 120. In the illustrated embodiment, the pressure balancing
end pipes 1002 include slots or holes, as described in further
detail below with reference to FIG. 12, although the slots or holes
may be omitted in alternate embodiments. Further, the pipes 1002
may be formed into other shapes in alternate embodiments. The
pressure balancing end pipe(s) 1002 and header pipes 1004, 1006,
and 1008 are not required in frac tank farms. That is, the pressure
balancing end pipe(s) 1002 and header pipes 1004, 1006, and 1008
may be omitted in certain embodiments.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen that each pressure
balancing end pipe 1002 is in fluid communication with a header
pipe 1004 which is, in turn, in fluid communication with a bay
header pipe 1006. Further, each bay header pipe 1006 is in fluid
communication with a farm header pipe 1008. The farm header pipe
1008 includes values 1010. The valves 1010 may be relied upon to
isolate a bay header pipe 1006 for a bay 1020 of frac tank trailers
120. The frac tank trailers 120 in FIG. 11 are arranged in bays
1020 of five, although other numbers of frac tank trailers 120 may
be arranged in a bay 1020.
[0045] When the valves 1010 are closed, the pressure balancing end
pipes 1002, header pipes 1004, and bay header pipes 1006 permit
water to pressure balance between the frac tank trailers 120 in a
bay 1020. Particularly, the pressure balancing end pipes 1002
operate in a way similar to a manometer, by permitting an overage
of pressure (e.g., from water or fluid) in one frac tank trailer
120 to push excess fluid into other frac tank trailers 120 in the
bay 1020. It is noted that, when being filled, individual ones of
the frac tank trailers 120 may fill at respective, different rates.
In that case, certain frac tank trailers 120 may hold more fluid
than others. That difference in fill level may be compensated for,
at least in part, by the pressure balancing end pipes 1002, header
pipes 1004, and bay header pipes 1006 for any given bay 1020. The
differences in fill levels among two bays 1020 may additionally be
compensated for by opening the valves 1010, so that pressure may be
balanced between two bays 1020 using the farm header pipe 1008.
[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates a pressure balancing end pipe 1002
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown,
the pressure balancing end pipe 1002 includes slots or holes 1030
and a "J" hooked end 1040. The slots or holes 1030 permit fluid
pressure to be transferred or translated among the header pipes
1004 and bay header pipes 1006 (FIG. 11), as the level of fluid
rises in a frac tank trailer (FIG. 10). While the pressure
balancing end pipe 1002 is shown to have a "J" hooked shape, other
types or shapes of pipes may be relied upon, including inverted "L"
or "T" shaped pipes, for example. The slots or holes 1030 may be
omitted from some embodiments.
[0047] FIG. 13 illustrates operation of a flow balanced frac tank
farm 1300 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As
illustrated, water is being pumped out from the batteries 1310, the
battery 1320 is on standby, and fluid is being circulated in the
battery 1330 for heating. This process may be rotated over time, so
that combinations of all of the batteries 1310, 1320, and 1330 may
rotate through pumpout, circulation heating, and standby. The
rotation may be achieved using valves as illustrated in FIG. 13 and
described herein.
[0048] Although embodiments have been described herein in detail,
the descriptions are by way of example. The features of the
embodiments described herein are representative and, in alternative
embodiments, certain features and elements may be added or omitted.
Additionally, modifications to aspects of the embodiments described
herein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined in the
following claims, the scope of which are to be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass modifications and
equivalent structures.
* * * * *