CN115709010A - Integrated process delivery at well site - Google Patents

Abstract

A mixing unit includes a frame, a rheology control portion, and a high volume solids blending portion. The rheology control portion includes means for receiving a first material from a first transfer mechanism, a dispersion/mixing system connected to the frame, and a first metering system that meters the first material from the first material receiving means to the dispersion/mixing system. The dispersing/mixing system disperses/mixes the metered amounts of the first material with a fluid to form a first fluid mixture. The bulk solids blending portion includes a member for receiving a second material from a second transfer mechanism, a solids blending system connected to the frame, and a second metering system that meters the second material from the second material receiving member to the solids blending system. The solids blending system blends the metered second material with the first fluid mixture to form a second fluid mixture.

Description

Integrated process delivery at the wellsite

This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of May 12, 2015, an application number of 201580036796.9, and an invention title of "Integrated process delivery at the well site".

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/992,146, filed May 12, 2014, entitled "Integrated Process Delivery at Wellsite," Attorney Docket No. IS14.8472-US-PSP, which The entire disclosure is incorporated herein by reference.

Background technique

High viscosity fluid mixtures or gels that include hydratable materials and/or additives mixed with water and/or other hydrating fluids are used in fracturing and other subterranean well treatment operations. These high viscosity fluid mixtures are deployed at the well site or transported to the well site from a remote location. Hydration is the process by which a hydratable material solvates, absorbs, and/or otherwise reacts with a hydration fluid to produce a highly viscous fluid mixture. The hydration level of the hydratable material can be increased by maintaining the hydratable material in the hydration fluid during a processing step called dwell time, such as may occur in one or more hydration tanks.

The hydration and associated viscosity increase occurs over a time span corresponding to the residence time of the hydratable material in the hydration fluid. Therefore, the rate of hydration of hydratable materials is a factor in gelling operations and is scrutinized in continuous gelling operations in which highly viscous fluid mixtures are continuously produce. To achieve sufficient hydration and/or viscosity, long tanks or a series of large tanks are utilized to provide sufficient volume for the hydratable material and thus sufficient residence time in the hydration fluid. Such tanks are transported to or near the well site. For example, a hydratable material may be mixed with a hydration fluid before being introduced into a series of tanks, and the hydratable material may be hydrated to a sufficient degree as the fluid mixture passes through the series of tanks.

Typical gravity flow hydration tanks cannot handle highly concentrated fluid mixtures. Therefore, other tanks with large volumes are utilized to dilute the fluid mixture sufficiently to a low enough viscosity to allow the fluid mixture to pass through the gravity flow hydration tank. Hydration tanks having a large volume include a large footprint, are difficult to transport, and/or may not be transportable. High powered mixers are therefore utilized to mix or blend high viscosity fluid mixtures with proppant materials, solid additives and liquid additives during blending operations to form other fluid mixtures, such as fracturing fluids.

Prior to blending, the proppant material and solid additives are transported to the wellsite via a delivery vehicle and fed into the mixer during the blending operation. To avoid interruptions in material supply, delivery vehicles repeatedly arrive at the well site, creating vehicle congestion. In addition, a limited number of delivery vehicles may be parked on the wellsite adjacent to the mixer as the material is offloaded and fed into the mixer during the blending operation.

The gelling and blending operations are performed using separate pieces of equipment. Such functional fragmentation among devices results in inefficiencies, reduced reliability, exposure to non-standard assemblies, and poor process control. In the case of equipment segmentation for the gelling and blending units, multiple duplicate pieces of equipment are typically utilized to deliver the combined process, increasing wellsite footprint and complexity.

Each piece of equipment may also include its own engine, generator, and/or other power source, which is independently refueled and increases maintenance activities. Safety and environmental concerns are also significant, such as may be attributable to the large and numerous hoses, tubes, and/or other piping connecting the various blending and mixing components, each of which is susceptible to leaks and non-standard fittings.

Gelling and blending operations are also becoming more complex as they are tailored to a particular underground storage. It also places a burden on field staff and the organization, adding multiple pieces of equipment to be controlled and maintained. Furthermore, because gelation and blending controls are highly manual, field staff and organizations increasingly include experienced highly trained operators.

Contents of the invention

The Summary of the Invention is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The present disclosure describes an apparatus that includes a mixing unit having a frame, a rheology control section, and a bulk solids blending section. The rheology control section includes means for receiving a first material from a first delivery mechanism, a dispersion and/or mixing system coupled to the frame, and metering from the first material receiving means to the dispersion and/or mixing A first metering system for a first material of the system. The dispersing and/or mixing system is operable to disperse and/or mix the metered first material and fluid to form a first fluid mixture. The bulk solids blending section includes means for receiving a second material from a second transfer mechanism, a solids blending system coupled to the frame, and metering from the second material receiving means to the solids blended A second metering system for the second material of the system. The solid blending system is operable to blend the metered second material with the first fluid mixture to form a second fluid mixture. The second material may be a bulky solid material such as a proppant or other particulate material.

The present disclosure also introduces a method in which the first transfer mechanism is operated to transfer corresponding material received from a corresponding delivery vehicle to a corresponding container. Each material has a different composition. The second transfer mechanism is operated to transfer a corresponding one of said materials from a corresponding one of said containers to a mixing unit. The mixing unit is operated to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid with each material received from each second delivery mechanism.

The present disclosure also describes an apparatus that includes a wellsite system for use in subterranean fracturing operations. The wellsite system includes a mobile base frame having an open area extending at least partially therethrough; and a plurality of containers disposed on the mobile base frame above the open area. The container is for containing bulky solid material. The wellsite system also includes a mixing unit having first and second mixers. The mixing unit is operable to move within the open area such that within the open area the receiving member of the first mixer is aligned with the gravity-fed discharge of the bulk solid material from the at least one container.

The present disclosure also describes a method that includes deploying a mobile pedestal at a wellsite. The mobile base includes an open area extending at least partially therethrough. Multiple containers are mounted on a mobile base frame. The container is for containing bulky solid material. The mixing unit is transported into the open area such that the material receiving member of the mixing unit is aligned with the gravity fed discharge of the bulk solid material from the at least one container. The mixing unit includes a frame, a first mixer connected to the frame, and a second mixer connected to the frame and in fluid communication with the first mixer. The material receiving member receives a weight-feed discharge of bulk solid material and directs it to at least one of the first and second mixers.

These and additional aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the description that follows, and/or may become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from reading the material herein and/or practicing the principles described herein. At least some aspects of the present disclosure may be realized by means of the means recited in the appended claims.

Description of drawings

The disclosure is understood from the following Detailed Description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary implementation of an apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

2 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example implementation of an apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of an exemplary implementation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a portion of an exemplary implementation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an expanded view of an example implementation of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an expanded view of an example implementation of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an example implementation of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

8 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an example implementation of an apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

9-12 are flow diagrams, at least in part, of example implementations of processes according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

13 is a perspective view of an example implementation of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

14 is a perspective view of an example implementation of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 13 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

15 is a perspective view of at least a portion of an example implementation of an apparatus according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

16 is a perspective view of an example implementation of the device shown in FIG. 15 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

17 is a perspective view of an example implementation of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2 , 3 and 4 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

18 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

19 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

20 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

21 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

22 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed ways

It should be understood that the following disclosure provides many different implementations or examples for implementing different features of various implementations. Specific embodiments of components and arrangements are described below to simplify the present disclosure. Of course, these are examples only and are not intended to be limiting. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference symbols and/or letters in various embodiments. This repetition is for simplicity and clarity, and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various implementations and/or configurations discussed. Furthermore, the formation of a first feature over or on a second feature in the following description may include implementations in which the first and second features are formed in direct contact, and may also include implementations in which additional features may be formed interposed between the first and second features. Implementation between the first and second features such that the first and second features may not be in direct contact.

1 is a schematic illustration of at least a portion of an exemplary wellsite system 100 positioned on a wellsite surface 101 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wellsite system 100 includes a mixing unit 200 operatively connected via a plurality of transfer mechanisms 104 to a plurality of bulk containers 102 that store various fluids, solids, additives, particulate materials, and/or or other materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as "materials"). Transfer mechanism 104 is operable to transfer or otherwise convey a plurality of materials from corresponding ones of bulk containers 102 to mixing unit 200 . The mixing unit 200 is operable to receive and mix or otherwise blend a plurality of materials to form one or more fluid mixtures, such as at least part.

For example, the wellsite system 100 may include a bulk material container 110, such as a silo or tank, for containing hydratable materials such as gelling agents, guar gum, polymers, synthetic polymers, galactomannans, polysaccharides , Cellulose and Clay and other examples. The bulk container 110 may be operatively connected to the mixing unit 200 via a transfer mechanism 112 extending between the bulk container 110 and the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 112 may include a metering feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, conveyor, and/or the like, and may extend between the bulk container 110 and the mixing unit 200 such that the inlet of the transfer mechanism 112 may be substantially Positioned below the bulk container 110 and the outlet may be generally positioned above the mixing unit 200 . For example, blades extending along the length of transfer mechanism 112 may be operably connected to a motor operable to rotate the blades. While the mixing unit 200 is operating, the rotating blades may move the hydratable material from the inlet to the outlet where the hydratable material may be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into the mixing unit 200 .

The transfer mechanism 112 may also or alternatively include a pneumatic conveying system in which pressurized gas, such as air, is utilized to move the hydrated material from the particulate container 110 to the mixing unit 200 . The pneumatic conveying system may include a vacuum pump that may generate a vacuum operable to draw hydrated material from the particulate container 110 and transfer the hydrated material into the mixing unit 200 via piping.

Particulate container 110 may be a mobile container or trailer, such as may allow it to be transported to wellsite surface 101 . However, the particulate container 110 may be slidable or otherwise fixed, and/or may be temporarily or permanently installed at the wellsite surface 101 .

The wellsite system 100 may further include a particulate container 120, which may include a container for storing liquid additives such as cross-linking agents, breaking agents, surfactants, clay stabilizers, hydrochloric acid, and drag reducers, among other implementations. ex) multiple tanks. The bulk containers 120 may be operably connected to the mixing unit 200 via a transfer mechanism 122 extending between one or more of the bulk containers 120 and the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 122 may include one or more fluid conduits extending between the particulate container 120 and the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 122 may further include one or more fluid pumps operable to transfer the liquid additive from the particulate container 120 to the mixing unit 200 .

The particulate container 120 may form part of a mobile container or trailer, such as may allow transport to the wellsite surface 101 . However, the particulate container 120 may be slidable or otherwise fixed, and/or may be temporarily or permanently installed at the wellsite surface 101 .

The wellsite system 100 may also include a bulk container 130, which may include a silo or bin for storing bulk or bulk material (hereinafter referred to as solid additive). Solid additives may be dry or partially dry and may include fibrous materials such as fiberglass, phenol formaldehyde, polyester, polylactic acid, cedar bark, chopped sugar cane stalks, mineral fibers and hair, among other examples. Solid additives may be packaged into small packages, such as sachets, pellets, bags, and/or other packaging components, which may improve handling during the transfer process and/or flow inside the bulk container 130, and which may reduce dust generation. The packing member may be dissolved or crushed after being introduced into the mixing unit 200 .

The bulk container 130 may be operatively connected to the mixing unit 200 via a transfer mechanism 132 extending between the bulk container 130 and the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 132 may include a metering feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, conveyor, and/or the like, and may extend between the bulk container 130 and the mixing unit 200 such that the inlet of the transfer mechanism 132 may be substantially Positioned below the bulk container 130 and the outlet may be generally positioned above the mixing unit 200 . For example, blades extending along the length of transfer mechanism 132 may be operatively connected to a motor operable to rotate the blades. When the mixing unit 200 is operating, the rotating blades may move the solid additive from the inlet to the outlet where the solid additive may be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into the mixing unit 200 .

Transfer mechanism 132 may also or alternatively comprise a gravity conveyance mechanism. For example, the lower portion of the bulk container 130 may include a conical configuration terminating in a chute disposed generally above the mixing unit 200 or within a hopper or another material receiving portion of the mixing unit 200 . During mixing operations, the chute may be opened and closed by an actuator to allow solid additives to be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into the mixing unit 200 . Particulate container 130 may be vertically oriented and disposed above mixing unit 200 in an elevated position, such as may allow mixing unit 200 to be at least partially positioned below particulate container 130 . This implementation may allow a chute for the bulk container 130 to be positioned above the mixing unit 200 or within the material receiving portion of the mixing unit 200 to allow solid additives to be thrown, fed, or otherwise introduced into the receiving portion of the mixing unit 200 middle. Particulate container 130 may be a mobile container or trailer, such as may allow it to be transported to wellsite surface 101 . However, the particulate container 130 may be slidable or otherwise fixed, and/or may be temporarily or permanently installed at the wellsite surface 101 .

The wellsite system 100 may also include a bulk container 140, which may include a plurality of silos or cells for storing particulate material. The particulate material can be or include solid and/or dry materials, such as proppant materials, including sand, sand-like particulates, silica, and quartz, among other examples. The particulate material may also or alternatively comprise mica and/or fibrous material. The particulate material may also be encapsulated as described above for solid additive materials. The particulate material is also referred to herein as a bulky solid.

The bulk container 140 may be operatively connected to the mixing unit 200 via a transfer mechanism 142 extending between the bulk container 140 and the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 142 may include a metering feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, conveyor, and/or the like, and may extend between the bulk container 140 and the mixing unit 200 such that the inlet of the transfer mechanism 142 may be substantially Positioned below the bulk container 140 and the outlet may be positioned generally above the mixing unit 200 . For example, blades extending along the length of transfer mechanism 142 may be operably connected to a motor operable to rotate the blades. When the mixing unit 200 is operating, the rotating blades may move the particulate material from the inlet to the outlet where the particulate material may be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into the mixing unit 200 .

Transfer mechanism 142 may also or alternatively comprise a gravity conveyance mechanism. For example, the lower portion of the bulk container 140 may include a conical configuration terminating in a chute disposed generally above the mixing unit 200 or within a hopper or another material receiving portion of the mixing unit 200 . During mixing operations, the chute may be opened and closed by an actuator to allow particulate material to be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into the mixing unit 200 . Particulate container 140 may be vertically oriented and disposed above mixing unit 200 in an elevated position, such as may allow mixing unit 200 to be at least partially positioned below particulate container 140 . This configuration may allow a chute for the bulk container 140 to be disposed above the mixing unit 200 or within the material receiving portion of the mixing unit 200 to allow particulate material to be thrown, fed, or otherwise introduced into the receiving portion of the mixing unit 200. section.

Particulate container 140 may be a mobile container or trailer, such as may allow it to be transported to wellsite surface 101 . However, the particulate container 140 may be slidable or otherwise fixed, and/or may be temporarily or permanently installed at the wellsite surface 101 .

The wellsite system 100 may also include a particulate container 150, which may include a plurality of tanks for storing hydration fluids, such as aqueous fluids or aqueous solutions including water, among other examples. The particulate container 150 may be fluidly connected to the mixing unit 200 via a transfer mechanism 152 operable to transfer a hydration fluid from the particulate container 150 to the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 152 may include one or more fluid conduits extending between the particulate container 150 and the mixing unit 200 . The transfer mechanism 152 may further include one or more fluid pumps operable to transfer hydration fluid from the particulate container 150 to the mixing unit 200 .

Particulate container 150 may be a mobile container or trailer, such as may allow it to be transported to wellsite surface 101 . However, the particulate container 150 may be slidable or otherwise fixed, and/or may be temporarily or permanently installed at the wellsite surface 101 .

The wellsite system 100 may further include a plurality of additional transfer members 106 operable to transfer or otherwise transport one of a plurality of materials from a corresponding one of the plurality of delivery vehicles 108 to Corresponding bulk container. In the exemplary implementation depicted in FIG. 1 , transfer mechanism 106 includes transfer mechanism 162 , transfer mechanism 172 , transfer mechanism 182 , and transfer mechanism 192 . During mixing operations, delivery vehicle 108 may enter material delivery region 103 of wellsite surface 101 to unload multiple materials. Material delivery area 103 may be positioned adjacent to each delivery mechanism 106 and away from mixing unit 200 and/or particulate container 102 . Particulate container 102 may be positioned between mixing unit 200 and material delivery area 103 .

The hydratable material may be periodically delivered to the wellsite surface 101 via a delivery vehicle 160, which includes a container for storing the hydratable material. During delivery, delivery vehicle 160 may be positioned adjacent to transfer mechanism 162 , such as may allow hydratable material to be conveyed by transfer mechanism 162 from delivery vehicle 160 to particulate container 110 . For example, each delivery vehicle 160 may include a container having a lower portion with a tapered configuration terminating in one or more chutes. During delivery, a chute may be provided above the inlet portion of transfer mechanism 162 and then opened to allow hydratable material to be thrown, fed, or otherwise introduced into transfer mechanism 162 .

Transfer mechanism 162 may include a meter feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, bucket conveyor, and/or the like. Transfer mechanism 162 may extend between delivery vehicle 160 and particulate container 110 such that an inlet of transfer mechanism 162 may be positioned generally below delivery vehicle 160 and an outlet of transfer mechanism 162 may be positioned generally above particulate container 110 . For example, vanes extending along the length of transfer member 162 may be operably connected to a motor operable to rotate the vanes, which may move the hydratable material from the inlet to the outlet, where the hydratable material may be thrown, into is given or otherwise introduced into the particulate container 110 .

The transfer mechanism 162 may also or alternatively include a pneumatic conveying system in which pressurized gas, such as air, is utilized to move the hydratable material from the delivery vehicle 160 to the bulk container 110 . The pneumatic delivery system may include a vacuum generator, such as a vacuum generator, operable to draw hydratable material from delivery vehicle 160 and transfer the hydratable material to particulate matter 110 via piping.

The container of the delivery vehicle 160 may be the granular material container 110 . For example, delivery vehicle 160 may deliver full particulate matter containers 110 to wellsite surface 101 to be replaced or swapped out with empty particulate matter containers 110 .

The liquid additive may be periodically delivered to the wellsite surface 101 via a delivery vehicle 170, which includes a container for storing the liquid additive. During delivery, the delivery vehicle 170 may be positioned adjacent to the transfer mechanism 172 , such as may allow the liquid additive to be delivered by the transfer mechanism 172 from the delivery vehicle 170 to the particulate container 120 .

Transfer mechanism 172 may include one or more fluid conduits extending between delivery vehicle 170 and particulate container 120 . Transfer mechanism 172 may further include one or more fluid pumps operable to deliver the liquid additive from delivery vehicle 170 to particulate container 120 .

The solid additive may be periodically delivered to the wellsite surface 101 via a delivery vehicle 180, which includes a container for storing the solid additive. During delivery, delivery vehicle 180 may be positioned adjacent to transfer mechanism 182 , such as may allow solid additives to be delivered by transfer mechanism 182 from delivery vehicle 180 to particulate container 130 . For example, each delivery vehicle 180 may include a container having a lower portion with a tapered configuration terminating in one or more chutes. During delivery, a chute may be provided above the inlet portion of the transfer mechanism 182 and then opened to allow solid additives to be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into the transfer mechanism 182 .

Transfer mechanism 182 may include a dust-free transfer mechanism, meter feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, bucket conveyor, and/or the like, and may extend between delivery vehicle 180 and bulk container 130 Such that the inlet of the transfer mechanism 182 may be positioned generally below the delivery vehicle 180 and the outlet of the transfer mechanism 182 may be positioned generally above the bulk container 130 . For example, vanes extending along the length of transfer member 182 may be operatively connected to a motor operable to rotate the vanes, which may move solid additive from an inlet to an outlet, where solid additive may be thrown, fed to Or introduced into the bulk container 130 in other ways.

The transfer mechanism 182 may also or alternatively include a pneumatic conveying system in which a pressurized gas, such as air, is utilized to move the solid additive from the delivery vehicle 180 to the bulk container 130 . The pneumatic delivery system may include a vacuum generator, such as a vacuum generator, operable to draw the solid additive from the delivery vehicle 180 and transfer the solid additive into the bulk container 130 via piping.

The particulate material may be periodically delivered to the wellsite surface 101 via a delivery vehicle 190, which includes a container for storing the particulate material. During delivery, delivery vehicle 190 may be positioned adjacent to transfer mechanism 192 , such as may allow particulate material to be transported by transfer mechanism 192 from delivery vehicle 190 to particulate container 140 . For example, each delivery vehicle 190 may include a container having a lower portion with a tapered configuration terminating in one or more chutes. During transfer, a chute may be disposed above the inlet portion of transfer mechanism 192 and then opened to allow particulate material to be thrown, fed, or otherwise introduced into transfer mechanism 192 .

The transfer mechanism 192 may include a metering feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, bucket conveyor, and/or the like, and may extend between the delivery carrier 190 and the bulk container 140 such that the transfer mechanism 192 The inlet may be positioned generally below delivery vehicle 190 and the outlet of transfer mechanism 192 may be positioned generally above bulk container 140 . For example, vanes extending along the length of transfer mechanism 192 may be operatively connected to a motor operable to rotate the vanes, which may move particulate material from an inlet to an outlet, where the particulate material may be thrown, fed to Or introduced into the bulk container 140 in other ways.

The transfer mechanism 192 may also or alternatively include a pneumatic conveying system in which a pressurized gas, such as air, is utilized to move the particulate material from the delivery vehicle 190 to the bulk container 140 . The pneumatic conveying system may include a vacuum generator, such as a vacuum-generating vacuum, operable to draw particulate material from delivery vehicle 190 and transfer the particulate material into bulk container 140 via piping.

Although FIG. 1 shows that each of the delivery vehicles 160, 170, 180, 190 is larger than some of the corresponding bulk containers 110, 120, 130, 140, it should be understood that the bulk containers 110, 120, 130, The storage capacity of each of 140 may be approximately equal to or greater than the storage capacity of the corresponding delivery vehicle 160 , 170 , 180 , 190 . Accordingly, each of the bulk containers 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 is operable to receive therein a corresponding total amount of material transported by the corresponding delivery vehicle 160 , 170 , 180 , 190 .

Additionally, since the bulk containers 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 are operable to store multiple materials, the mixing unit 200 is operable to operate when one or more transfer mechanisms 106 are not transferred from the corresponding delivery vehicles 160 , 170 , 180 , 190 The one or more fluid mixtures are formed substantially continuously as the corresponding materials are delivered. In other words, each transfer mechanism 106 is operable to periodically or intermittently transfer a corresponding material from a delivery vehicle 160, 170, 180, 190 to a corresponding bulk container 110, 120, 130, 140 while, The transfer mechanism 104 is operable to substantially continuously transfer the corresponding material from the respective particulate container 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 to the mixing unit 200 .

Wellsite system 100 may also include a power source 195 , such as operable to provide centralized power distribution to hybrid unit 200 and/or other components of wellsite system 100 . Power source 195 may be or include an engine-generator arrangement, such as may include a gas turbine generator, an internal combustion engine generator, and/or other power sources. Power may be communicated between the power source 195 and the mixing unit 200 and/or other components of the wellsite system 100 via various electrical conductors 197 . The power source 195 may be provided on a corresponding truck, trailer, and/or other mobile vehicle, such as may allow its transportation to the wellsite surface 101 . However, the power source 195 may be sliding or otherwise fixed, and/or may be temporarily or permanently installed at the wellsite surface 101 .

The wellsite system 100 may include more than one power source 195, such as may allow each power source 195 to be located close to a point of consumption. For example, one power supply 195 may be utilized to power one or more of the plurality of delivery mechanisms 106 while another power supply 195 may be utilized to power one or more of the mixing unit 200 and/or a plurality of other delivery mechanisms 104 . Two or more power supplies 195 may also provide redundancy to the wellsite system 100 .

The mixing unit 200 includes a rheology control section 202 . For example, the rheology control portion 202 is operable to disperse and hydrate the hydratable material within the hydration fluid to form a first fluid mixture, such as may or may include what is known in the art as a gel or a slurry.

The mixing unit 200 further includes a bulk blending section 210 . For example, bulk solid blending section 210 is operable to blend the effluent from rheology control section 202 with liquid additives, solid additives, and/or particulate materials to form a second fluid mixture, such as may be or may include in the art A mixture known as fracking fluid. The second fluid mixture may then be discharged from the mixing unit 200 for further processing and/or injection into the wellbore, such as during fracturing and/or other wellsite operations.

The mixing unit 200 may further include a control part 212 . For example, control portion 212 is operable to monitor and control operating parameters of various components of mixing unit 200 and possibly other components of wellsite system 100 to form the first and second fluid mixtures.

Wellsite system 100 is depicted in FIG. 1 and described above as being operable to store and mix various materials to form a fracturing fluid. However, it should be understood that the wellsite system 100 is operable to mix other fluids and materials to form fluids that may be pressurized and/or Other mixtures that are injected individually or collectively into the wellbore.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary implementation of a mixing unit 200 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The mixing unit 200 may be used in various implementations at the wellsite. However, for clarity and ease of understanding, the mixing unit 200 is described below in the context of the wellsite system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Therefore, the following description refers to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 together.

The mixing unit 200 may include means 204 for receiving and/or storing the first solid material. The first solid material may be directed to receiving and/or storage means 204 via conventional and/or future developed means. For example, the first solid material may be a hydratable material received from the bulk container 110 via the transfer mechanism 112 .

The first solid material may then be passed to a solid dispersion and/or mixing system 214 . Such transfer may occur at a predetermined rate, such as via utilization of solids metering system 206 .

Water and/or other fluids may also be passed to solids dispersion and/or mixing system 214 . For example, such fluids may be drawn or otherwise delivered from a suction manifold and/or other inlet 218 of mixing unit 200 .

The solid dispersion and/or mixing system 214 may then be operated to disperse the first solid material within the fluid received from the one or more inlets 218 . For example, in implementations in which the first solid material is guar gum or other hydratable material, solid dispersion and/or mixing system 214 may mix the hydratable material with water to form the first fluid mixture described above.

Fluid discharged from solids dispersion and/or mixing system 214 may then be directed toward hydration system 220 . For example, hydration system 220 may be a first-in-first-out (FIFO) tank system that includes one or more hydration tanks, and the first fluid mixture discharged from solids dispersion and/or mixing system 214 may be directed through one of hydration system 220 or a plurality of hydration tanks to allow hydration of the first fluid mixture.

In the exemplary implementation depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , rheology control portion 202 of mixing unit 200 includes vessel 204 , solids metering system 206 , solids dispersion and/or mixing system 214 , and hydration system 220 . The rheology control section 202 may also include a metering system 245 for metering the discharge of the rheology control section 202 . However, hydration system 220 and metering system 245 are optional components and may be omitted in some implementations of rheology control section 202 .

Fluid discharged from rheology control section 202 may be passed to bulk solids blending section 210 of mixing unit 200 . For example, fluid discharged from rheology control section 202 may be passed to surge tank 260 of bulk solids blending section 210 . Mixing unit 200 may also include a transfer pump 240 operable to direct additional water (or other fluid from one or more inlets 218 ) to surge tank 260 . Transfer pump 240 may also discharge to one or more outlets 275 of mixing unit 200 .

Bulk solids blending section 210 may include means 266 for receiving and/or storing bulk solids. Bulk solids may be directed to the receiving and/or storage member 266 via gravity feed, such as from a storage silo positioned above the receiving and/or storage member 266 . For example, bulk solids may be particulate material received from the bulk container 140 .

The bulky solids may then be passed to a solids blending system 265 . Such transfers may occur at a predetermined rate, such as via the use of bulk solids metering system 267 . Bulk solids blending section 210 may include more than one solids blending system 265 , and bulky solids may be delivered to one or more solids blending systems 265 via bulk solids metering system 267 .

Bulk solids blending section 210 may also include means 280 for receiving and/or storing a second solid material. The second solid may be directed to receiving and/or storage means 280 via conventional or future developed means. For example, the second solid material may be received from the particulate container 130 via the transfer mechanism 132 .

The second solid material may then be passed to one or more solid blending systems 265 . Such transfer may occur at a predetermined rate, such as via utilization of another solids metering system 281 .

One or more solids blending systems 265 may then be operated to blend two or more of the following: discharge from rheology control section 202 (such as via surge tank 260); bulk solids and second solid material. For example, in implementations where the discharge from rheology control section 202 is a hydrated gel and the bulk solids include proppant or other particulate material, one or more solids blending systems 265 may mix the hydrated gel with the particulate material to form the second fluid mixture described above.

Fluid discharged from bulk solids blending section 210 may be discharged from mixing unit 200 via one or more outlets 275 . Different ones of outlets 275 may be used for different mixtures discharged from solids blending system 265 . The mixture discharged from the solids blending system 265 may be combined or kept separate before being sent to one or more outlets 275 for the discharge from the mixing unit 200 .

Mixing unit 200 may also include one or more liquid metering systems 208 for selectively introducing one or more liquid additives into the operations described above. For example, liquid metering system 208 may selectively introduce one or more liquid additives into the fluid flowing from one or more inlets 218 into solid dispersion and/or mixing system 214 . Liquid metering system 208 may also or instead selectively introduce one or more liquid additives into the first fluid mixture discharged from solid dispersion and/or mixing system 214 , such as upstream of synthesis system 220 . Liquid metering system 208 may also or instead selectively introduce one or more liquid additives into the fluid flowing from one or more inlets 218 into transfer pump 240 . Liquid metering system 208 may also or alternatively introduce one or more liquid additives selectively into the fluid discharged from rheology control section 202 for use in one or more solids blending systems 265, such as surge tank 260 downstream. Liquid metering system 208 may also or instead selectively introduce one or more liquid additives into the fluid discharged from bulk solids blending section 210 . However, these are merely examples, and liquid metering system 208 may introduce one or more fluid additives at locations other than those described above and shown in FIG. 2 .

3 and 4 are generally schematic illustrations of at least a portion of an exemplary implementation of the mixing unit 200 shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 3 generally depicts the rheology control section 202 and FIG. 4 generally depicts the bulky solids blending section 210 . For clarity and ease of understanding, mixing unit 200 is also described below in the context of wellsite system 100 shown in FIG. 1 . Accordingly, the following description refers collectively to FIGS. 1-4 .

3 depicts the receiving and/or storage member 204 as being implemented as a hydratable material container 204, the solids metering system 206 as being implemented as a hydratable material delivery device 206, and the solids dispersion and/or mixing system 214 as Implemented as a first mixer 214, the first mixer 214 is operable to receive and mix the hydratable material and the hydration fluid. For example, the hydratable material can be mixed with the hydration fluid at a rate of about 120 pounds of hydratable material per about 1000 pounds of hydration fluid, thus forming 120 pounds of the first fluid mixture. However, the fluid formed and discharged by the first mixer 214 may have between about 80 and about 300 pounds of hydratable material per 1000 gallons of hydration fluid, and other ratios are within the scope of the present disclosure.

The first mixer 214 may receive hydratable material from the hydratable material container 204 . The hydratable material container 204 may include a silo, bin, hopper, and/or another container that may allow storage of the hydratable material in order to provide a substantially continuous supply of the hydratable material to the first mixer 214 . The lower portion of the hydratable material container 204 may have a tapered configuration terminating in a sprue or other outlet that allows the hydratable material to be gravity fed and/or otherwise substantially Continuously passed to the first mixer 214. The hydratable material may be continuously or intermittently transported from the bulk material container 110 to the hydratable material container 204 via the transfer mechanism 112 .

The hydratable material may be metered and/or otherwise delivered to the first mixer 214 via the hydratable material delivery device 206 . For example, if the hydratable material substantially comprises a liquid, the hydratable material delivery device 206 may include a metering pump and/or a metering valve, such as operable to control the flow rate at which the hydratable material is introduced into the first mixer 214 .

However, if the hydratable material consists essentially of solid or encapsulated particles, then the hydratable material delivery device 206 may comprise a volume or mass dry metering device operable to control the flow rate from the hydratable material container 204 is the volume or mass flow rate of the hydratable material fed to the first mixer 214 . In such implementations, the hydratable material delivery device 206 may include a metering feeder, screw feeder, screw conveyor, conveyor, and/or the like, and may extend between the hydratable material container 204 and the first mixer. 214 such that an inlet of hydratable material delivery device 206 may be positioned generally below hydratable material container 204 and an outlet of hydratable material delivery device 206 may be positioned generally above first mixer 214 . For example, blades extending along the length of hydratable material transfer device 206 may be operatively connected to a motor operable to rotate the blades. While the first mixer 214 is operating, the rotating blades may move the hydratable material from the inlet to the outlet, where the hydratable material may be thrown, fed, or otherwise introduced into the first mixer 214 .

In implementations in which the first mixer 214 is utilized to mix the hydratable material and the hydration fluid to form, for example, a gel, the first mixer 214 may be a vortex-type mixer as described further below. However, generally as described above with respect to FIG. 2 , it should be understood that first mixer 214 may be implemented as a chemical mixer or other "rheology modifier" operable to mix various rheology modifying materials, such as may Includes additives that provide high viscosity at low shear rates. Such rheology modifiers may include hydratable materials used to form gels, as described above. Rheology modifiers may also include, for example, fibers, nanoparticles, dry drag reducers, dimerized and trimerized fatty acids, imidazolines, amides, and/or synthetic polymers, other embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, etc. additives. In such implementations, the first mixer 214 may be a vortex type mixer and/or other types of mixers.

Although not depicted in FIG. 3 , mixing unit 200 may include more than one hydratable material container 204 and corresponding transfer device 206 . For example, the mixing unit 200 may include a first hydratable material container 204 storing a hydratable material substantially comprising a liquid, and a second hydratable material container 204 storing a hydratable material substantially comprising solid particles. In such implementations, the hydratable material delivery device 206 corresponding to the first hydratable material container 204 may include a metering pump and/or a metering valve, and the hydratable material delivery device 206 corresponding to the second hydratable material container 204 may Includes volumetric or mass dry metering devices.

The hydratable material container 204 may include one or more force sensors 216, such as load cells and/or other sensors, operable to generate an indication of the quality or another parameter of the quantity of hydratable material within the hydratable material container 204. information. Such information can be used to monitor the actual rate of transfer of hydratable material from the hydratable material container 204 to the first mixer 214, monitor the accuracy of the hydratable material transfer device 206, and/or control the flow of hydratable material from the hydratable material container 204 and /or The hydratable material transfer device 206 vents the transfer rate for the hydratable material fed to the first mixer 214 .

FIG. 3 depicts the one or more inlets 218 of the mixing unit 200 as being implemented as a hydration fluid source 218 , such as operable to receive hydration fluid from the particulate container 150 via the transfer mechanism 152 . Hydration fluid source 218 may include receptacles, storage tanks, reservoirs, tubing, manifolds, and/or other components for storing and/or receiving hydration fluid. For example, hydration fluid source 218 may include a plurality of inlet ports 249 , such as operable to fluidly connect with transfer mechanism 152 and receive hydration fluid from particulate container 150 .

The supplied hydration fluid may be drawn into the first mixer 214 via suction generated by the impeller and/or other internal components of the first mixer 214 . Suction may be sufficient to transfer hydraulic fluid from hydraulic fluid source 218 to first mixer 214 . However, delivery of hydration fluid from the hydration fluid source 218 to the first mixer 214 may alternatively or also be facilitated by a pump (not shown), such as operable to pressurize the hydraulic fluid and/or transfer the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid source. 218 moves to the first mixer 214.

The mixing unit 200 may further include a plurality of valves operable to control the flow of the hydration fluid, the concentrated first fluid mixture discharged from the first mixer 214, or the diluted supply of the first fluid mixture, depending on their s position. The valves may include ball valves, globe valves, butterfly valves, and/or other types of valves operable to shut off fluid flow or otherwise control fluid flow therethrough. The valves may be actuated remotely by electrical actuators, such as solenoids or motors, or by fluid actuators, such as air cylinders or rotary actuators. The valves can also be manually actuated by a human operator. For example, inlet ports 249 may be selectively opened and closed by a corresponding plurality of valves 239 disposed at each inlet port 249 , such as to selectively allow hydration fluid to pass into hydration fluid source 218 . Similarly, another valve 219 may be fluidly connected between the hydration fluid source 218 and the first mixer 214 , such as operable to close or otherwise control the flow of hydration fluid to the first mixer 214 .

The mixing unit 200 may further include a plurality of pressure sensors operable to generate electrical signals related to the pressure of the hydration fluid, the concentrated first fluid mixture, or the diluted first fluid mixture at various locations on the mixing unit 200 or information. For example, a pressure sensor 227 may be provided at the inlet of the first mixer 214 , such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the inlet of the first mixer 214 .

The mixing unit 200 may also include a plurality of flow meters operable to generate electrical signals or information regarding the flow rate of selected fluids at various locations on the mixing unit 200 . For example, a flow meter 291 may be disposed between the hydration fluid source 218 and the first mixer 214 , such as may facilitate monitoring the flow rate of hydration fluid introduced into the first mixer 214 .

The first mixer 214 is operable to mix the hydratable material and the hydration fluid, and pressurize the resulting first fluid mixture sufficiently to pump the first fluid mixture through the hydration system 220 . FIG. 5 is an expanded view of an exemplary implementation of at least a portion of first mixer 214 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The following description refers to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 in common.

The first mixer 214 may include a housing 302 , a fluid inlet 304 and a material inlet 306 extending into the housing 302 . Fluid inlet 304 may be fluidly connected to hydration fluid source 218 for receiving hydration fluid therefrom. The material inlet 306 may generally include or operate in conjunction with a receiving structure 308, which may be or include a cone, chamber, bowl, hopper, or the like. Receiving structure 308 may have an inner surface 309 that receives material for transfer into housing 302 , such as hydratable material transferred from hydratable material container 204 via hydratable material transfer device 206 . The material may be dry, partially dry, crystalline, fluid, granular, encapsulated and/or packaging material, or may be a liquid or slurry material, and/or will be dispersed within the first mixer 214 and/or Other materials that are otherwise mixed within the first mixer 214 . Material received through material inlet 306 may also be pre-wetted, possibly forming a partial slurry, such as to avoid apophyllite and/or material buildup.

The first mixer 214 may further include a propeller/eye assembly 310 driven by a shaft 312 . Housing 302 may define a mixing chamber 314 in communication with inlets 304 , 306 , and pusher/eye assembly 310 may be disposed within mixing chamber 314 . Rotation of the pusher/eye assembly 310 can draw hydration fluid from the fluid inlet 304, mix the drawn hydration fluid with material fed from the material inlet 306 within the mixing chamber 314, and pump the resulting first fluid mixture through Exit 316. Outlet 316 may direct the first fluid mixture into hydration system 220 through one or more fluid conduits.

Shaft 312 may extend upwardly through inlet 306 and out of receiving structure 308 for connection to an electric motor and/or other prime mover (not shown in FIG. 5 ). Shaft 312 may be coupled to pusher/ring assembly 310 such that rotation of shaft 312 rotates pusher/ring assembly 310 within mixing chamber 314 .

The first mixer 214 may also include a stator 318 disposed about the impeller/stator assembly 310 . The stator 318 may be in the form of a ring or an arcuate section, exemplary details of which are described below.

The first mixer 214 may further include a flush line 320 fluidly connected between the receiving structure 308 and a region of the mixing chamber 314 proximate the pusher/eye assembly 310 . Irrigation line 320 may tap hydration fluid from mixing chamber 314 at an area of relatively high pressure and deliver the hydration fluid to inner surface 309 of receiving structure 308, which may be at a reduced pressure (e.g., ambient pressure )Down. In addition to being at a relatively high pressure, the hydration fluid tapped by flush line 320 may be relatively "clean" (ie, relatively low in additives, as will be described below). Accordingly, the receiving structure 308 may be pre-wetted with hydration fluid tapped by the flushing line 320 and facilitated to prevent tufts of material from being fed through the receiving structure 308 . Flush line 320 may provide pre-wet fluid without utilizing additional pumping devices (other than that provided by pusher/sling assembly 310 ) or additional hydration fluid sources or lines from hydration fluid source 218 . However, one or more pumps may be provided in addition to or instead of tapping hydration fluid from mixing chamber 314 .

Housing 302 may include an upper housing portion 322 and a lower housing portion 324 . The connection of the upper and lower housing portions 322, 324 may define the mixing chamber 314 therebetween. The lower housing portion 324 may define a lower mixing region 326 and the upper housing portion 322 may define an upper mixing region 328 (shown in phantom lines), which may be substantially aligned with the lower mixing region 326 . The mixing regions 326, 328 may together define a mixing chamber 314 in which the pusher/eye assembly 310 and the stator 318 may be disposed. The lower housing portion 324 may also include an inner surface 330 that defines the bottom of the lower mixing region 326 .

Upper housing portion 322 may be coupled to receiving structure 308 and may provide material inlet 306 . The lower housing portion 324 may include a fluid inlet 304 that may extend through the lower housing portion 324 to a generally centrally disposed opening 332 . An opening 332 may be defined in the inner surface 330 . The outlet 316 may extend from an opening 334 that communicates with the lower mixing region 326 .

Pusher/eye assembly 310 may include ring 336 and pusher 338 . The ring 336 and pusher 338 may have respective inlet faces 340 , 342 and respective rear faces 344 , 346 . The inlet faces 340 , 342 may each be open (as shown) or at least partially covered by a shroud (not shown), which may form an inlet into the radial interior of the lifting ring 336 and/or the pusher 338 . The back faces 344, 346 may be arranged adjacent to each other and joined together such that, for example, the pusher 338 and the lifting ring 336 may be arranged in a "back-to-back" configuration. Thus, the inlet face 340 of the bail 336 may face the material inlet 306 and the inlet face 342 of the impeller 338 may face the fluid inlet 304 . Accordingly, the inlet face 342 of the pusher 338 may face the inner surface 330 and the opening 332 defined on the inner surface 330 may be aligned with a radially central portion of the pusher 338 .

Lifting ring 336 may substantially define a dish shape with a generally flatter (or planar) middle portion with arcuate or sloped sides that collectively form at least a portion of inlet face 340 . The sides may, for example, be formed similarly to or as part of a torus extending around the middle of the eye 336 . Ring 336 may also be bowl-shaped (eg, generally part of a sphere). Eye 336 includes six eye blades 348 on inlet face 340 , although other numbers of blades 348 are within the scope of the present disclosure. The blades 348 may extend radially in a substantially straight or curved manner. As lifting ring 336 rotates, material received from material inlet 306 is urged radially outward by interaction with vanes 348 and axially upward due to the shape of inlet face 340 .

Although hidden from view in FIG. 5 , impeller 338 may also include one or more vanes on inlet face 342 . Rotation of impeller 338 may draw hydration fluid through opening 332 and then expel the hydration fluid axially downward and radially outward. Accordingly, a region of relatively higher pressure may be formed between the lower housing portion 324 and the impeller 338 , which may be used to drive the hydration fluid around the mixing chamber 314 and towards the lifting ring 336 .

Flush line 320 may include an opening 350 defined in lower housing portion 324 proximate this region of high pressure. For example, an opening 350 may be defined in the interior surface 330 at a location between the outer radial extent of the pusher 338 and the opening 332 of the fluid inlet 304 . The irrigation line 320 may be or may include a conduit 352 , eg, a conduit 352 fluidly connected to an inlet 354 of the receiving structure 308 such that hydration fluid is transported from the opening 350 to the receiving structure 308 via the conduit 352 . The hydration fluid may then follow a generally helical path along the inner surface 309 of the receiving structure 308 due to the rotation of the suspension ring 336 and/or the shaft member 312 until the hydration fluid travels through the material inlet 306 to the suspension ring 336 . Accordingly, hydration fluid received through inlet 354 may generally form a fluid wall along interior surface 309 of receiving structure 308 .

The flow rate of hydration fluid through conduit 352 and thus along interior surface 309 of receiving structure 308 may be increased and decreased by flow control device 217 (shown in FIG. 3 ). Flow control device 217 may include one or more flow control valves of various types, including needle valves, metering valves, butterfly valves, globe valves, or other valves operable to control fluid flow rates.

During operation, a pressure gradient may develop between the impeller 338 and the lower housing portion 324 , wherein the pressure in the fluid increases radially outward from the opening 332 . Another gradient related to the concentration of the material (from the material inlet 306 ) in the hydration fluid may also form in this region, where the concentration of the material increases radially outward. In some cases, a high head and low concentration may be desirable in order to provide a relatively clean flow of fluid propelled by pusher/eye assembly 310 through flush line 320 . Accordingly, the opening 350 of the irrigation line 320 can be positioned at a point along this region that achieves an optimum between the pressure head of the hydration fluid and the concentration of the material from the inlet 306 in the hydration fluid received into the irrigation line 320 trade-offs.

The stator 318 may form a shear ring that extends around the pusher/eye assembly 310 within the mixing chamber 314 . For example, the stator 318 may generally remain stationary relative to the rotatable pusher/eye assembly 310 , such as via fastening with the upper housing portion 322 . However, the stator 318 may alternatively be supported by the pusher/eye assembly 310 and may rotate therewith. In any of these exemplary implementations, the stator 318 rests on the inlet face 340 of the lifting ring 336, or is detachable therefrom.

The stator 318 may include first and second annular portions 356, 358, which may be integrally formed or formed as discrete components joined together. The first annular portion 356 can minimize flow resistance and can include a shroud 360 and a post 362 defining a relatively wide slot 364 , such as to allow fluid to flow relatively freely therethrough. In contrast, the second annular portion 358 may maximize flow shear, such as to promote turbulent mixing. For example, the second annular portion 358 may include a series of stator vanes 366 positioned tightly together in contrast to the wide spacing of the posts 362 of the first annular portion 356 . Accordingly, narrow flow paths 368 may be defined between stator vanes 366 in contrast to wide slots 364 of first annular portion 356 .

The sum of the areas of flow paths 368 may be less than the sum of the areas of stator vanes 366 . The ratio of the overall flow resistive area of the stator vanes 366 to the overall flow-allowed area of the flow paths 368 may be, for example, about 1.5:1. However, the ratio may range between about 1:2 and about 4:1, as well as other embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure. The flow resistance area of each stator vane 366 may be greater than the flow-allowed area of each flow path 368 .

The stator vanes 366 may be disposed at various pitch angles relative to the circumference of the stator 318 . For example, the axially extending surfaces of stator vanes 366 may be substantially straight (e.g., substantially parallel to the diameter of stator 318) or sloped (e.g., to increase shear), whether in thruster/eye assembly 310 in the direction of rotation or in the opposite direction.

Returning to FIG. 3 , first mixer 214 may discharge a first fluid mixture, hereinafter referred to as a concentrated first fluid mixture, into hydration system 220 under pressure. Hydration system 220 is depicted in FIG. 3 as being implemented as a plurality of first containers 220 . A valve 215 may be fluidly connected downstream of the first mixer 214, such as operable to fluidly isolate the first mixer 214 from the rest of the mixing unit 200 and/or control the discharge of the concentrated first mixer 214 from the first mixer 214. The flow rate of the fluid mixture. Another valve 225 may be fluidly connected along fluid bypass conduit 226, such as may allow hydration fluid or other fluids to bypass first mixer 214 during mixing or other operations, such as during flushing operations. Another valve 221 may be fluidly connected upstream of the first container 220 , such as operable to control the flow of the concentrated first fluid mixture into the first container 220 . A pressure sensor 228 may be provided at the outlet of the first mixer 214 , such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the pressure of the concentrated first fluid mixture at the outlet of the first mixer 214 .

Each first container 220 may be or may include a continuous flow channel or path for conveying or transporting the concentrated first fluid mixture for a period of time sufficient to allow sufficient hydration to occur such that the concentrated first fluid mixture A fluid mixture achieves a predetermined level of hydration and/or viscosity. Each first container 220 may have a first-in-first-out mode of operation and may include a vessel-type outer housing enclosing a receptacle having an elongated flow path or space that The concentrated first fluid mixture is operable to store and communicate therethrough.

FIG. 6 is an expanded view of an exemplary implementation of a first container 220 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The first container 220 may comprise a plurality of enclosures 410, 420, 430, 440 comprising a first enclosure 410, a second enclosure 420 and one or more intermediate enclosures 430, 440 . The first container 220 may further include: a first port 412 disposed on the outer wall 414 of the first enclosure 410 and operable to receive the concentrated first fluid mixture; and a second port 422 disposed on the second package. The outer wall 424 of the enclosure 420 is on and operable to drain the concentrated first fluid mixture after hydration. The ports 412 , 422 may be flush with or extend outwardly from the outer walls 414 , 424 , including implementations in which the ports 412 , 422 extend outwardly in a direction tangential to the outer walls 414 , 424 .

The enclosures 410, 420, 430, 440 may include separate chambers through which the concentrated first fluid mixture may travel a distance within a period of time sufficient for sufficient hydration to occur. The enclosures 410, 420, 430, 440 may be in common fluid communication, such as may allow a concentrated first fluid mixture to be introduced into the first container 220 via the first port 412 and then flow continuously through the first enclosure 410, The middle enclosure 430 , the middle enclosure 440 and the second enclosure 420 are then discharged through the second port 422 .

The first container 220 may further include a first plate 450 connected to the first enclosure 410, such as to confine the concentrated first fluid mixture within the first enclosure as it passes through the first enclosure 410. Inside the enclosure 410 . The first plate 450 may be attached to the first enclosure 410 by various means, including removable fasteners, welds, and/or other means attached to the flange 418 of the first enclosure 410, or may Formed as an integral part of the first encapsulation 410 . The enclosures 410, 420, 430, 440 may be connected to each other by the same or similar components. For example, each enclosure 410, 420, 430, 440 may include flanges 416, 418, 426, 428, 436, 438, 446, 448 extending along the top and bottom of the outer walls 414, 424, 434, 444, Such as for receiving threaded fasteners and/or other means for securing the enclosures 410, 420, 430, 440 to each other.

Each enclosure 410 , 420 , 430 , 440 may include an interior space 460 , 470 , 480 , 490 . Each interior space 460, 470, 480, 490 may be or may define at least one continuous fluid flow channel or other channel 462, 472, 482, 492, respectively, each having a greater length than the corresponding outer wall 414, 424, 434, 444 the circumference length of . For example, each channel 462 , 472 , 482 , 492 may be defined within a corresponding interior volume 460 , 470 , 480 , 490 by a spiral or other shaped wall 464 . Channels 462, 472, 482, 492 may be oriented and connected such that first and second ports 412, 422 are in fluid communication.

For example, during hydration operations, a concentrated first fluid mixture may be introduced into first port 412, travel through channel 462, and exit first enclosure 410 at substantially central port 466 (shown in phantom lines). or otherwise discharged. The concentrated first fluid mixture can then flow into the first intermediate enclosure 430 at the central end 484 of the channel 482, travel through the channel 482 and through the port 486 (in phantom line) extending vertically through the first intermediate enclosure 430 shown) exits from the first intermediate enclosure 430 into the second intermediate enclosure 440. The concentrated first fluid mixture may then travel through channel 492 and exit from second intermediate enclosure 440 into the second enclosure through port 496 (shown in phantom) extending vertically through second intermediate enclosure 440 420. The concentrated first fluid mixture may then flow through channel 472 and exit through second port 422 .

While FIG. 6 shows four enclosures 410, 420, 430, 440, the first container 220 may include one, two, three, five or more enclosures within the scope of the present disclosure. . Furthermore, although FIG. 3 shows four first containers 220, the mixing unit 200 may include one, two, three, five or more first containers 220 if, for example, additional flow rates and/or For longer hydration times, then the vessels can be connected in parallel and/or in series.

When multiple first containers 220 are utilized, the mixing unit 200 may include a plurality of pressure sensors 224 operable to generate signals or information regarding the pressure between instances of the first container 220 . Information generated by pressure sensor 224 may be utilized to determine the concentration, viscosity, and/or hydration level of the concentrated first fluid mixture as it is conveyed through first container 220 . Another pressure sensor 229 may be provided at the most downstream outlet of the first container 220 , such as operable to generate a signal or information about the pressure of the concentrated first fluid mixture at the most downstream outlet of the first container 220 . Each first container 220 may further include a release or overflow conduit 222 which may be selectively opened and closed by a corresponding valve 223 . When each release or overflow conduit 222 is opened, it is operable to release the pressure or transfer the concentrated first fluid mixture from the corresponding first container 220 to the second container 260 .

In implementations of the mixing unit 200 utilizing multiple instances of the first vessels 220, one or more inline shear and/or other mixing devices (not shown) may be fluidly connected between the first vessels 220, Such as to increase the rate of hydration within the one or more first containers 220 . Heat exhausted from one or more components of the mixing unit 200 and/or other components of the wellsite system 100 (such as an engine or motor) may also or alternatively be transferred to the one or more first vessels 220, such as to heat Concentrated first fluid mixture in one or more first containers 220 to facilitate hydration.

Although the mixing unit 200 is shown as including the hydration system/first container 220 , some implementations of the mixing unit 200 may omit the hydration system/first container 220 . For example, certain jobs or applications utilize solid materials or rheology modifiers that do not take advantage of hydration or hydration time. Accordingly, the concentrated first fluid mixture discharged from the first mixture 214 may bypass the hydration system/first container 220 , or the hydration system/first container 220 may be omitted from the mixing unit 200 .

After the concentrated first fluid mixture is discharged from the first container 220 , the concentrated first fluid mixture may be passed or conveyed through the diluter 230 . FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of diluter 230 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 7 together, the diluter 230 is operable to mix or otherwise combine the concentrated first fluid mixture with another hydrating fluid or other aqueous fluid to dilute the concentrated first fluid mixture or otherwise combine the hydratable The concentration of the material in the concentrated first fluid mixture is reduced to a predetermined concentration level. Diluter 230 may be or may include a fluid junction, a T-connection, a Y-connection, an eductor, a mixing valve, an inline mixer, and/or another fluidic junction operable to combine and/or mix two or more fluids. device.

As depicted in the exemplary implementation of FIG. 7 , diluter 230 may include: a first channel 231 operable to receive a substantially continuous supply of a concentrated first fluid mixture; a second channel 232 operable to receive a substantially continuous supply of hydration fluid; and a third channel 233 operable to discharge the substantially continuous supply of the diluted first fluid mixture. The first channel 231 may be fluidly connected to the downstreammost outlet port 422 of the first vessel 220 directly or via one or more conduits that allow the concentrated first fluid mixture to be passed into the diluter 230 as indicated by arrow 236 shown. Second channel 232 may be fluidly connected to hydration fluid source 218 via one or more conduits that allow hydration fluid to be delivered into diluter 230 as indicated by arrow 237 . The third channel 233 may be fluidly connected to the inlet of the second container 260 by one or more conduits that allow the diluted first fluid mixture to be delivered to the second container 260 as indicated by arrow 238 .

Hydration fluid may be delivered to diluter 230 by transfer pump 240 , which is operable to pressurize and/or move hydration fluid from hydration fluid source 218 to diluter 230 . Transfer pump 240 may be or may include a centrifugal pump or another type of pump operable to transfer or otherwise move the hydration fluid from source 218 substantially continuously to diluter 230 and/or other components within mixing unit 200. Location. For example, transfer pump 240 may move hydration fluid from source 218 at a flow rate range between about zero barrels per minute (BPM) and about 150 BPM. However, the mixing unit 200 is expandable and the transfer pump 240 can be operated at other flow rates.

The mixing unit 200 may also include a pressure sensor 235 at the outlet of the hydration fluid source 218 , such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the pressure of the hydration fluid at the outlet of the hydration fluid source 218 . Another pressure sensor 253 may be provided at the inlet of the transfer pump 240 , such as operable to generate a signal or information about the pressure of the hydration fluid at the inlet of the transfer pump 240 . Valve 248 may be fluidly connected between transfer pump 240 and hydration fluid source 218, such as operable to control the flow of hydration fluid from hydration fluid source 218 to transfer pump 240 and/or to fluidly connect hydration fluid source 218 to transfer pump 240. isolation. A pressure sensor 254 may also be provided at the outlet of the transfer pump 240 , such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the pressure of the hydration fluid at the outlet of the transfer pump 240 .

The ratio of concentrated first fluid mixture to hydration fluid fed to diluter 230 determines the concentration of the resulting diluted first fluid mixture, which ratio can be controlled by adjusting metering system 245, which is shown in FIG. Depicted as being implemented as a first flow control device 245 , the first flow control device 245 is operable to control the flow of the concentrated first fluid mixture into the diluter 230 . The ratio of the concentrated first fluid mixture to the hydration fluid fed to the diluter 230 may also or instead be controlled by adjusting a second flow control device 250 operable to control the flow of hydration fluid into the diluter 230 traffic. For example, if one chooses to reduce the concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture for downstream use relative to the current concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture discharged from the diluter 230, the concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture can be passed through the first flow Operation of the control device 245 reduces the flow rate of the concentrated first fluid mixture into the diluter 230, and/or reduces the flow rate of the diluted fluid by increasing the flow rate of the hydration fluid into the diluter 230 via operation of the second flow control device 250. The concentration of the first fluid mixture. The flow rate of the concentrated first fluid mixture into the diluter 230 can be reduced by closing the first flow control device 245 or otherwise reducing the flow area of the first flow control device 245 and hydrating the fluid into the diluter 230 The flow rate of can be increased by opening the second flow control device 250 or otherwise increasing the flow area of the second flow control device 250 .

Similarly, if one chooses to increase the concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture for upstream relative to the current concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture being discharged from the diluter 230, then the concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture can be increased by adding the concentrated first fluid mixture to the diluter 230 and/or by reducing the flow rate of the hydration fluid into the diluter 230, the concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture is increased. The flow rate of the concentrated first fluid mixture into the diluter 230 can be increased by opening the first flow control device 245 or otherwise increasing the flow area of the first flow control device 245 and the flow of hydration fluid into the diluter 230 The rate can be reduced by closing the second flow control device 250 or otherwise reducing the flow area of the second flow control device 250 .

The first and second flow control devices 245, 250 may include various types of flow control valves, including needle, metering, butterfly, globe, or other valves, operable to control the rate at which fluid flows therethrough. Each of the flow control devices 245, 250 may include a flow disrupting member 246, 251, such as may be a plate or other component, having a substantially circular configuration and possibly having a central opening or channel 247, 247 extending therethrough. 252. The flow disrupting members 246 , 251 are selectively rotatable relative to the channels 231 , 232 to selectively vary the effective flow area and/or flow rate of the channels 231 , 232 . Such rotation may occur via operation of corresponding solenoids, motors, and/or other actuators (not shown). Flow disrupting members 246 , 251 may also be utilized to introduce turbulence in the passing fluid flow, such as may aid in mixing and/or further hydration of the diluted first fluid mixture discharged from diluter 230 .

FIG. 7 depicts that the concentrated first fluid mixture is introduced into the diluter 230 via the first channel 231 of the diluter 230 and the hydration fluid is introduced into the diluter 230 via the second channel 232 . However, the concentrated first fluid mixture may alternatively be introduced via second channel 232 and the hydration fluid may alternatively be introduced via first fluid channel 231 .

As further shown in FIG. 3 , a flow meter 292 may be provided upstream of the first passage 231 of the diluter 230, such as operable to generate a signal or information. Another flow meter 293 may be provided upstream of the second passage 232 of the diluter 230 , such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the flow rate at which hydration fluid is introduced into the diluter 230 .

The mixing unit 200 may include a metering pump 241 located upstream or downstream of the first flow control device 245 , such as operable to deliver the concentrated first fluid mixture from the first container 220 to the diluter 230 at a predetermined flow rate. The metering system 245 shown in FIG. 2 may include both the first flow control device 245 and the metering pump 241 shown in FIG. 3 . However, in other implementations, the metering system 245 shown in FIG. 2 may include a metering pump 241 in place of the flow control device 245 shown in FIG. 3 .

Metering pump 241 may be a lobe pump, gear pump, piston pump, or another type of positive displacement pump operable to move liquid at a selected flow rate. A pressure sensor 242 may be provided at the outlet of the metering pump 241 , such as operable to generate a signal or information about the pressure of the concentrated first fluid mixture at the outlet of the metering pump 241 .

The mixing unit 200 may further include a fluid bypass conduit 243 which may allow the concentrated first fluid mixture or other fluid to bypass the metering pump 241 during mixing or other operations, such as during flushing operations. A valve 244 may be fluidly connected along fluid bypass conduit 243 to selectively open and close fluid bypass conduit 243 .

During mixing or other operations, the concentrated first fluid mixture may be recirculated through first container 220 via recirculation flow path 258, which includes one or more pipes, hoses, and/or other fluid flow conduits, Such as when an excess supply of the diluted first fluid mixture exists in the surge tank 260, or to provide additional hydration time for the concentrated first fluid mixture. Accordingly, valve 259 may be selectively opened to allow recirculation of the concentrated first fluid mixture through recirculation flow path 258 and then through first vessel 220 . During such recirculation operations, metering pump 241 is operable to recirculate or otherwise move the concentrated first fluid mixture through recirculation flow path 258 and first container 220 .

A third flow control device 255 may be provided at or downstream of the diluter 230 discharge. The third flow control device 255 is operable to increase or decrease the output rate of the diluted first fluid mixture discharged from the diluter 230 and introduced into the surge tank 260 . It should be noted that the combination of first flow control device 245 and metering pump 241 shown in FIG. 3, and/or other implementations of metering system 245 shown in FIG. 2, may further be operable to increase and decrease the concentrated first fluid mixture The residence time in the first vessel 220 , and thus, increases the hydration and viscosity level of the concentrated first fluid mixture discharged from the first vessel 220 . For example, a slower flow rate may allow the concentrated first fluid mixture to remain in first vessel 220 for a longer period of time before being introduced to diluter 230 and/or surge tank 260 .

Similar to the first and second flow control devices 245, 250, the third flow control device 255 may include a flow disrupting member 256, such as may include a plate or other component, having a substantially circular configuration and possibly a A central opening or channel 257 therein. The flow disrupting member 256 is selectively rotatable relative to the third channel 233 to selectively vary the effective flow area and/or flow rate of the third channel 233, possibly in a manner similar to the selective rotation of the flow disrupting members 246, 251. . Flow disrupting member 256 may also be utilized to introduce turbulence in the passing fluid flow, such as may aid in mixing and/or further hydration of the diluted first fluid mixture delivered to second container 260 .

The diluted first fluid mixture discharged by diluter 230 may be delivered to surge tank 260 , such as for storing a supply of diluted first fluid mixture prior to being used in bulk solids blending section 210 . Surge tank 260 may also allow further hydration of the diluted first fluid mixture before being drained. Surge tank 260 may be an open or closed vessel or tank comprising one or more spaces operable to receive and hold the diluted first fluid mixture. However, buffer tank 260 may be omitted if sufficient hydration and/or viscosity levels are achieved via one or more instances of first container 220 and/or diluter 230 . In these implementations, the diluted first fluid mixture may be sent directly to the bulk solids blending section 210 .

Surge tank 260 may include the same or similar structure and/or functionality as first container 220, or surge tank 260 may be implemented as another type of first-in first-out vessel or tank, such as to provide additional storage for the diluted first fluid mixture. hydration time. Surge tank 260 may also include one or more fluid level sensors 262 , such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the amount of diluted first fluid mixture contained within surge tank 260 .

As noted above, FIG. 4 generally depicts the bulk solids blending portion 210 of the mixing unit 200 . FIG. 4 depicts solids blending system 265 as implemented as two second mixers 265 fluidly connected to surge tank 260 via one or more supply conduits 270 . Each second mixer 265 may include the same or similar structure and/or functionality as FIG. 5 and first mixer 214 described above. However, the second mixer 265 may omit the stator 218 and/or flush line 320 . Mixing unit 200 may also include one or more than two instances of second mixer 265 within the scope of the present disclosure.

Similar to first mixer 214, each second mixer 265 is operable to receive fluid and solid materials and mix or otherwise blend the fluid and solid materials to form a fluid mixture. For example, the second mixture 265 is operable to receive the diluted first fluid mixture from the rheology control portion 202, the solid additive from the bulk container 130, and the bulk solids from the bulk container 140 to form the second fluid mixture . As noted above, the second fluid mixture may include a fracturing fluid used in a subterranean formation fracturing operation, a fluid mixture used in a fracturing fluid, and/or other fluid mixtures.

The diluted first fluid mixture may be conveyed from surge tank 260 to second mixer 265 through one or more supply conduits 270 extending between surge tank 260 and second mixer 265 . The diluted first fluid mixture may be drawn through the supply conduit 270 and into the fluid material inlet of the second mixer 265 via suction generated by the second mixer 265 . A flow meter 294 may be disposed along the supply conduit 270 downstream of the second container 260, such as operable to generate a signal relating to the flow rate at which the diluted first fluid mixture is introduced from the second container 260 into the second mixer 265 or information.

Second mixer 265 may receive bulk solids from transfer mechanism 142 via receiving and/or storage member 266 . Receiving and/or storage member 266 is depicted in FIG. 4 as being implemented as a hopper, bin, and/or other container operable to capture and/or store bulk solids discharged by the outlet portion of transfer mechanism 142 . The lower portion of the receiving and/or storage member 266 may be tapered or otherwise allow the bulk solids to be gravity fed and/or otherwise substantially continuously delivered to the mixing chamber (not shown) of the second mixer 265. )middle.

Bulk solids metering system 267 may meter and/or otherwise deliver bulk solids at a selected rate prior to being introduced into the mixing chamber. Bulk solids metering system 267 may be disposed within receiving and/or storage member 266 and may include metering feeders, screw feeders, screw conveyors, conveyors, and the like, such as may allow a predetermined flow rate of bulk solids into the mixing chamber of the second mixer 265. Bulk solids metering system 267 may include a metering gate within the container of receiving and/or storage member 266, such as may be selectively opened or closed to selectively adjust the flow rate of bulk solids into the mixing chamber. Transfer mechanism 142 may be or may include a lower portion of bulk container 140 that terminates within receiving and/or storage member 266 , such as may allow bulk solids to be gravity fed into receiving and/or storage member 266 .

The second mixer 265 may receive the solid additive from the transfer device 132 via the receiving and/or storage member 280 . Receiving and/or storage member 280 is depicted in FIG. 4 as being implemented as a hopper, bin, and/or other container operable to capture and/or store solid additives discharged by the outlet portion of transfer device 132 . The lower portion of the receiving and/or storage member 280 may have a tapered configuration to allow the solid additive to be gravity fed and/or otherwise substantially continuously delivered to a gate or gate in the solids metering system 281. Terminating the other outlet, the solids metering system 281 is operable to meter and/or otherwise deliver the solid additive to the second mixer 265 . A solids metering system 281 may include a screw feeder, screw conveyor, conveyor, and the like, and may extend between the receiving and/or storage member 280 and the solid material inlet of the second mixer 265 .

The mixing unit 200 may further include pressure sensors 285 , 286 located at the inlet and outlet of the second mixer 265 , such as operable to generate a signal or information about the fluid pressure at the inlet and outlet of the second mixer 265 . Valves 285, 286 may be fluidly connected at the inlet and outlet of the second mixer 265, such as operable to control the flow of the diluted first and second fluid mixtures through the second mixer 265, and/or to One or both of the second mixers 265 are fluidly isolated from the rest of the mixing unit 200 .

The mixing unit 200 may further include a density meter 268 connected at the outlet of the second mixer 265 . Density meter 268 is operable to generate a signal or information regarding the density or amount of particulates in the second fluid mixture, which may include solid additives and amounts of bulky solids. Density meter 268 may emit radiation absorbed by different particles in the second fluid mixture. Different particles can have different absorption coefficients, which can then be used to convert a signal or information to determine a density measurement.

The mixing unit 200 may also include a density meter 295 disposed at the outlet of the second mixer 265 . Flow meter 295 is operable to generate a signal or information regarding the flow rate of the second fluid mixture discharged from each second mixture 265 .

The liquid injection system 208 shown in FIG. 2 is generally depicted in FIG. 4 as including one or more liquid additive supply conduits 272 for introducing a liquid additive into the dilution downstream of the second mixture 265. The first fluid mixture and/or the second fluid mixture introduced into the second mixer 265 downstream. Liquid injection system 208 may be fluidly coupled with transfer mechanism 122 to receive liquid additive from particulate container 120 . The liquid additive may be delivered or otherwise moved by a liquid additive pump 273 through a liquid additive supply conduit 272 . Three-way valve 274 may be fluidly connected along liquid additive supply conduit 272, such as is operable to selectively control whether liquid additive is introduced into the diluted first fluid mixture upstream of second mixer 265 or into the second mixed fluid mixture. The second fluid mixture downstream of vessel 265. Flow meter 296 may be fluidly connected downstream of liquid additive pump 273, such as operable to generate a signal or information regarding the flow rate at which liquid additive is introduced into the diluted first or second fluid mixture.

The liquid injection system 208 may include additional liquid additive supply lines 272, pumps 273, and/or flow meters 296, which may be used when additional and/or different liquid additives are intended to be introduced into the diluted first fluid mixture or the second fluid mixture. Used in the middle. Additional liquid additive supply conduit 272 , pump 273 and/or flow meter 296 are operable to introduce liquid additive at various locations along mixing unit 200 . For example, liquid additives may be introduced at the inlet and/or outlet of the first mixer 214, at the inlet to the pump 240, at the outlet of the hydration fluid source 218, and at the inlet and/or outlet of the second mixer 265 . For example, fluid injection system 208 may be utilized to introduce chemicals into hydration fluid source 218 to modify the pH and other properties of the hydration fluid, such as water.

The mixing unit 200 may further include a fluid bypass conduit 271 such as may allow a diluted first fluid mixture or other fluid to bypass the second mixer 265 during mixing or other operations, such as during flushing operations. Valve 269 may be fluidly connected along fluid bypass conduit 271 to selectively open and close fluid bypass conduit 271 .

As the second mixer 265 forms the second fluid mixture, the second fluid mixture may be substantially continuously discharged by the second mixer 265 and communicated to a discharge manifold or other outlet 275 before being injected downhole. Although the mixing unit 200 is shown as including two second mixers 265, the two second mixers 265 may not be available at the same time and/or may not be used to mix the same material. For example, the second mixer 265 may be used to mix two different fluid mixtures, such as two different fracturing fluid chemistries, and discharge them out of the mixing unit 200 individually or together. This type of "split operation" can be performed where one second mixer 265 discharges clean fluid (ie, without proppant material) while the other second mixer 265 discharges dirty fluid (ie, with proppant material). Other operations include separately feeding compatible chemicals to the two second mixers 265, and then mixing them downstream to create high velocity type proppant packs in slick water applications. Such applications can produce, for example, cross-linked fluid islands impregnated with proppant material within an aqueous base fluid.

Outlet 275 may include a plurality of outlet ports 276 operable to discharge the second fluid mixture and/or other mixtures from mixing unit 200 . The outlet ports 276 can be selectively opened and closed by a plurality of corresponding valves 277 disposed at each outlet port 276 .

The outlets 275 may further include a plurality of additional valves 278, 279, such as operable to selectively isolate one or more outlets 275 and/or select a source from which fluid is discharged. For example, outlet 275 is operable to discharge the second fluid mixture discharged from second mixer 265 when valve 278 is opened and valve 279 is closed. However, when valve 279 is open and valve 278 is closed, outlet 275 is operable to discharge hydration fluid discharged from transfer pump 240 .

The flow meters 291-296, level sensor 262, force sensor 216, density meter 268, and pressure sensor may generate signals or information regarding corresponding operating parameters (hereinafter collectively referred to as "parameter information"), as described above, and Send the parameter information to the controller 510 . The parameter information may be used by the controller 510 as a feedback signal, such as may facilitate closed loop control of the mixing unit 200 . For example, the parametric information can be used to determine the accuracy of the pumps 240, 241, 273 and/or flow control devices 245, 250, 255 and to adjust the flow rate of the selected fluid so that the concentrated first fluid mixture, the diluted first The concentrations and flow rates of the fluid mixture and the second fluid mixture are matched to set point values, which may be predetermined, selected by a human operator, and/or determined by controller 510 during a mixing operation.

8 is a schematic diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary implementation of a controller 510 in conjunction with delivery devices 206, 267, 281, mixers 214, 265, pumps 240, 241, 273 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. , flow control devices 217, 245, 250, 255, flow meters 291-296, valves, force sensor 216, level sensor 262, pressure sensor and density meter 268 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "mixing unit components") communicate. Such communication may occur via wired and/or wireless communication means. However, such communication means are not depicted in FIG. 4 for clarity and ease of understanding, and those skilled in the art will understand that various means for such communication means are within the scope of the present disclosure.

Controller 510 is operable to execute example machine-readable instructions to implement at least a portion of one or more methods and/or processes described herein, and/or implement one or more of the example oilfield devices described herein. part. Controller 510 may be or include, for example, one or more processors, special purpose computing devices, servers, personal computers, personal digital assistant (PDA) devices, smartphones, Internet appliances, and/or other types of computing devices.

Controller 510 may include a processor 512, such as a general-purpose programmable processor. Processor 512 may include local memory 514 and may execute encoded instructions 532 residing in local memory 514 and/or another memory device. Processor 512 may execute encoded instructions 532, which may include, among other examples, machine-readable instructions or programs to implement the methods and/or processes described herein. Processor 512 may be, include, or be implemented by, one or more processors of various types suitable for the local application environment, and may include one or more general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, Processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures are given as non-limiting examples. Of course, other processors from other families are also suitable.

Processor 512 may be in communication with main memory, such as may include volatile memory 518 and non-volatile memory 520 , possibly via bus 522 and/or other communication means. Volatile memory 518 can be Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), RAMBUS Dynamic Random Access Memory (RDRAM) ) and/or other types of random access memory devices that may include or be implemented by the above memory. Non-volatile memory 520 may be read-only memory, flash memory, and/or other types of memory devices that may include or be implemented by the above memories. One or more memory controllers (not shown) may control access to volatile memory 518 and/or nonvolatile memory 520 . Processor 512 is further operable to cause controller 510 to receive, collect and/or log concentration and flow setpoints and/or other information generated by mixing unit system components and/or other sensors to main memory.

The controller 510 may also include an interface circuit 524 . The interface circuit 524 may be various types of standard interfaces, may include or be implemented by the interfaces, such as Ethernet interfaces, Universal Serial Bus (USB), Third Generation Input/Output (3GIO) interfaces , wireless and/or cellular interfaces, and other embodiments. Interface circuitry 524 may also include a graphics driver card. Interface circuitry 524 may also include communication devices, such as modems or network interface cards, such as to facilitate the exchange of data with external computing devices via a network (e.g., via an Ethernet connection, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), telephone line, coaxial cable , cellular phone system, satellite, etc.).

One or more mixing unit components may be connected to controller 510 via interface circuitry 524, such as interface circuitry 524 may facilitate communication therebetween. For example, one or more mixing unit components may include corresponding interface circuitry (not shown) that may facilitate communication with controller 510 . Each corresponding interface circuit may allow signals or information generated by mixing unit components to be sent to controller 510 as feedback signals for monitoring and/or controlling the operation of one or more mixing unit components, or possibly all of mixing unit 200 . Each corresponding interface circuit may allow control signals to be received from controller 510 through the respective motors, drives, solenoids, and/or other actuators (not shown) associated with one mixing unit component to control the corresponding mixing unit. The operation of the unit parts, such as controlling the overall operation of the mixing unit 200 .

One or more input devices 526 may also be connected to interface circuit 524 . The input device 526 may allow a human operator to enter data and commands into the processor 512, such as may include a set point corresponding to a predetermined concentration of the hydratable material in the diluted first fluid mixture (hereinafter referred to as "the first concentration"). set point"), a set point corresponding to a predetermined concentration of particulate material in the second fluid mixture (hereinafter referred to as "the second concentration set point"), and a set point corresponding to the diluted first fluid mixture formed by the mixing unit 200 The set point of the predetermined flow rate (hereinafter referred to as the "flow set point"). The input device 526 can be a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen, a trackpad, a trackball, an iso point and/or a voice recognition system and other embodiments, and can include or be implemented by the above components. One or more output devices 528 may also be connected to interface circuit 524, such as displaying first and second concentration setpoints and flow setpoints and information generated by one or more mixing cell components. Output device 528 may be a visual display device (eg, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube display (CRT), etc.), a printer, and/or speakers, among other embodiments, may include or be implemented by the above.

The controller 510 may also be coupled to one or more mass storage devices 530 and/or removable storage media 534, such as may be or may include a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a compact disk (CD) drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD) drive, and/or USB and/or other flash drives as well as other embodiments. Setpoint and parameter information may be stored on one or more mass storage devices 530 and/or removable storage media 534 .

Coded instructions 532 may be stored in mass storage 530 , volatile memory 518 , nonvolatile memory 520 , local memory 514 , and/or removable storage media 534 . Accordingly, components of controller 510 may be implemented in hardware (possibly implemented in one or more chips, including integrated circuits such as application specific integrated circuits), or may be implemented as software or firmware for execution by one or more processors. In the case of firmware or software, the implementation may be provided as a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium or storage structure embodying computer program code (ie, software or firmware) thereon for execution by processor 512 .

Coded instructions 532 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 512 , cause hybrid unit 200 (or at least a plurality of components thereof) to perform tasks as described herein. For example, encoded instructions 532, when executed, may cause controller 510 to receive and process first and second concentration set points and flow set points, and based on the set points, cause mixing unit 200 to form a hydratable material having a predetermined concentration The diluted first fluid mixture, the diluted first fluid mixture having a predetermined concentration of particulate material, and the second fluid mixture at a predetermined flow rate. When executed, encoded instructions 532 may cause controller 510 to receive parameter information generated by mixing unit components and process the parameter information as a feedback signal, such as may facilitate closed loop control of mixing unit 200 and/or mixing unit components. For example, the information can be used to determine the accuracy of the pumps 240, 241, 273 and/or flow control devices 245, 250, 255 and to adjust the flow rate of the selected fluid such that a concentrated first fluid mixture, a diluted first fluid The concentrations and flow rates of the mixture and the second fluid mixture are matched to setpoint values selected by the operator and/or other setpoint values determined by controller 510 during mixing operations.

While flow and concentration setpoints are discussed herein, it should be understood that controller 510 may receive and process other setpoints within the scope of this disclosure. The controller 510 may also monitor and control other parameters and operations of the mixing unit 200, such as may be implemented to form the second fluid mixture.

9-12 are flowcharts of at least a portion of an exemplary control process 600 stored as encoded instructions 532 and associated with the controller 510 and/or with mixing unit components in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. executed by one or more other controllers in the network. The following description collectively refers to FIGS. 3 , 4 , and 8-12 .

Process 600 may be implemented by mixing unit 200 to form a diluted first fluid mixture having a predetermined concentration of hydratable material, a second fluid mixture having a predetermined concentration of particulate material, and The diluted first fluid mixture at a flow rate predetermined by two concentration set points and a flow set point. 9-12 illustrate portions of process 600, which may include a series of interrelated stages or sub-processes 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, each of which may employ a separate control loops, such as proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control loops. For example, one or more subprocesses 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680 may utilize control loops to achieve a desired output or result. The sub-processes 610, 620, 630, 640, 650 may be as depicted by arrows 622, 632, 642, 652 or otherwise interrelated.

Subprocess 610 may include determination of a concentrated first fluid mixture ("CFFM") concentration set point and dilution ratio. Inputs to this subprocess may include a first diluted fluid mixture ("DFFM") concentration set point 612 (hereinafter "concentration set point") and a maximum first diluted fluid mixture flow rate set point 614 (hereinafter is the "flow set point"), which can be compared with the information generated by the flow meter 294. The concentration and flow setpoints 612, 614 may be predetermined or selected parameters specific to the wellsite operation to be performed with the wellsite system 100, such as a hydraulic fracturing operation. Concentration and flow set points 612, 614 may be based on other information relevant to well site operations, such as characteristics (e.g., size, location, content, etc.) of the subterranean formation into which the diluted first fluid mixture discharged by mixing unit 200 is injected to the underground strata) and determined. The concentration and flow setpoints 612, 614 may be input into the controller 510 in a suitable manner, such as via the input device 526. The controller 510 may then determine and output parameters, such as concentration and flow setpoints 612, 614, which may be utilized during hydration operations based on the input and/or other inputs. The controller 510 may then communicate the other parameters to one or more plant controllers (not shown) associated with the mixing unit components, which in turn may implement additional sub-processes.

Subprocess 620 may include control of hydratable material delivery device 206 for delivering hydratable material to first mixer 214 . Inputs to subprocess 620 may include one or more outputs (ie, set points) produced by subprocess 610 , and the actual hydration fluid flow rate 626 into first mixer 214 as determined by flow meter 291 . Signals generated by one or more force sensors 216 (such as load cells supporting the hydratable material container 204) may be used in subprocess 620 to ensure that an appropriate amount of hydratable material is introduced into the first mixer 214, and/or The expected amount of hydratable material is compared to the actual amount of hydratable material introduced into first mixer 214 .

Subprocess 630 may include the determination of a first diluted fluid mixture flow rate set point including a concentrated first fluid mixture flow rate set point and a hydration fluid flow rate set point (shown in FIG. 9 as " Dilution rate set point") determination. Inputs to subprocess 630 may include one or more outputs produced by subprocess 610, as well as the total hydration fluid flow rate 634 into diluter 230 as determined by flow meters 291, 293, and in second vessel 260 as determined by fluid level. The first diluted mixture level 636 is determined by the sensor 262 .

Subprocess 640 may include control of the flow rate of concentrated first fluid mixture into diluter 230 , which may be a function of flow control device 245 and/or metering pump 241 . Inputs to subprocess 640 may include concentrated first fluid mixture flow rate set point 642 produced by subprocess 630 , and actual concentrated first fluid mixture flow rate 644 as determined by flow meter 292 .

Subprocess 650 may include control of the flow rate of the hydration fluid into diluter 230, such as to control dilution of the concentrated first fluid mixture. Inputs to subprocess 650 may include a dilution rate set point 652 produced by subprocess 630 , and a hydration fluid flow rate 654 into diluter 230 as determined by flow meter 293 .

Sub-process 660 may include control of particulate material (“PM”) delivery device 267 , which may be implemented as a metering gate operable for metering particulate material into second mixer 265 . Inputs to subroutine 660 may include a particulate material enrichment set point 662 . Another input to subprocess 660 may include a particulate material flow rate 664 , which may be based on or include a control signal sent to particulate material delivery device 267 . Another input may include a signal 666 generated by a densitometer 268 . Densitometer signal 666 may be compared to particulate material setpoint 662 .

Subprocess 670 may include control of solid additive (“SA”) delivery device 281 for metering solid additive into second mixer 214 . Inputs to subprocess 670 may include solid additive concentration setpoint 672 . Another input to sub-process 670 may include solid additive flow rate 674 , which may be based on or include a control signal sent to solid additive delivery device 281 . The solid additive flow rate 674 may be compared to the solid additive concentration set point 672 .

Sub-process 680 may include control of liquid additive ("LA") pump 273 for metering liquid additive into the diluted first fluid mixture or second fluid mixture. Inputs to subprocess 680 may include a liquid additive concentration setpoint 682 . Another input to subprocess 680 may include liquid additive flow rate 684 as determined by flow meter 296 . Liquid additive flow rate 684 may be compared to liquid additive concentration set point 682 .

Similar to the concentration and flow setpoints 612, 614, the particulate material concentration setpoint 662, solid additive concentration setpoint 672, and liquid additive concentration setpoint 682 may be specific to the wellsite operation to be performed with the wellsite system 100, such as hydraulic fracturing operations) predetermined or selected parameters. The setpoints 662, 672, 682 may be based on other information relevant to well site operations, such as characteristics (e.g., size, location, content, etc.) of the subterranean formation into which the second fluid mixture discharged by the mixing unit 200 is injected. middle) and determined. The setpoints 662, 672, 682 may be input into the controller 510 in a suitable manner (such as via the input device 526), wherein the controller 510 may determine and output the setpoints 662, 672, 682 based on the inputted setpoints 662, 672, 682 and/or other inputs. Parameters used during. Controller 510 may then communicate the other parameters to one or more plant controllers (not shown) associated with the mixing unit components.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the wellsite system 100 shown in FIG. 1 positioned on the wellsite surface 101 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wellsite system 100 includes a mixing unit 200 that is disposed within a support structure 760 and communicates via a transfer mechanism (not shown) to store various fluids, solid additives, and particulate materials (hereinafter collectively referred to as "materials") The bulk material container is operably connected, and the transfer mechanism is operable to transfer or otherwise deliver various materials from the bulk material container to the mixing unit 200.

Particulate container 110 is depicted in Figure 13 as a tank for storing hydratable material. The bulk container 120 is depicted in FIG. 13 as a plurality of tanks for storing liquid additives. The bulk container 130 is depicted in FIG. 13 as a vertical silo for storing solid additives and positioned on top of a support structure 760 . Particulate matter containers 140 are depicted in FIG. 13 as a plurality of silos for storing particulate material, such as proppant material, and disposed on top of support structure 760 . Particulate container 150 is depicted in FIG. 13 as a plurality of tanks for storing hydration fluid.

As described above with respect to FIG. 1 , the wellsite system 100 includes a plurality of transfer mechanisms operable to transfer or otherwise transport various materials from corresponding delivery vehicles 108 to the bulk containers 110 , 120 , 130, 140, 150. During mixing operations, delivery vehicle 108 may enter material delivery region 103 of wellsite surface 101 to unload the multiple materials.

The hydratable material may be periodically delivered to the well site via a delivery vehicle (not shown in FIG. 13 ), which includes a container for storing the hydratable material. During delivery, the delivery vehicle may be positioned adjacent to a corresponding transfer mechanism (not shown in FIG. 13 ) in a manner that allows the hydratable material to be transported from the delivery vehicle to the particulate container 110 by the transfer mechanism.

The liquid additive may be periodically delivered to the wellsite via another delivery vehicle (not shown in FIG. 13 ), which includes a container for storing the liquid additive. During delivery, the delivery vehicle may be positioned adjacent to a corresponding transfer mechanism (not shown in FIG. 13 ) in a manner that allows the liquid additive to be transferred from the delivery vehicle to the particulate container 120 by the transfer mechanism.

The solid additive may be periodically delivered to the wellsite via delivery vehicle 180, which includes a container for storing the solid additive. During delivery, delivery vehicle 180 may be positioned adjacent transfer mechanism 182 in a manner that allows solid additive to be delivered by transfer mechanism 182 from delivery vehicle 180 to particulate container 130 .

The particulate material may be periodically delivered to the wellsite via delivery vehicle 190, which includes a container for storing the particulate material. During delivery, delivery vehicle 190 may be positioned adjacent to transfer mechanism 192 in a manner that allows particulate material to be transported by transfer mechanism 192 from delivery vehicle 190 to particulate container 140 .

FIG. 13 depicts delivery vehicles 180 , 190 as being larger than particulate containers 130 , 140 . However, it should be understood that the storage capacity of the bulk containers 130 , 140 may be approximately equal to or greater than the storage capacity of the corresponding delivery vehicles 180 , 190 .

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of at least a portion of the support structure 760 shown in FIG. 13 . Support structure 760 may be transported onto wellsite surface 101 and may comply with various national, federal, and international regulations for transportation on roads and highways. The following description refers to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 in common.

The support structure 760 may include a support base 761 , a frame structure 762 , a gooseneck portion 763 and a plurality of wheels 764 for supporting the support base 761 , the frame structure 762 and the gooseneck portion 763 . Gooseneck portion 763 may be attached to a prime mover (not shown) such that the prime mover may move support structure 760 between various positions, such as between wellsite surface 101 and another wellsite surface. The support structure 760 may thus be transported to the wellsite surface 101 and then configured to support one or more particulate containers 130 , 140 . While the depicted embodiment of the support structure 760 can support up to four bulk containers 130 , 140 , it should be understood that the support structure 760 can be configured to support more or fewer bulk containers 130 , 140 .

The support base 761 can include a first end 765 , a second end 766 and a top surface 767 . The frame structure 762 may extend above the support base 761 to define a channel 768 generally between a top surface 767 of the support base 761 and the frame structure 762 . The frame structure 762 includes one or more silo receiving areas 769 each configured to receive the bulk material containers 130 , 140 . For example, frame structure 762 is shown as defining four silo receiving areas 769 each configured to support a corresponding one of the bulk containers 130 , 140 .

A gooseneck portion 763 may extend from a first end 765 of the support base 761 . Axle 770 that supports wheels 764 may be positioned proximate to second end 766 of support base 761 , proximate to first end 765 of support base 761 , and/or at other locations relative to support base 761 . While FIG. 14 shows a support structure 760 including two sets of wheels 764 and axles 770 (the second axle is hidden from view), it should be understood that more than Seat 761 is positioned at various positions.

The support structure 760 may further include a first extendable base 771 on one side of the support base 761 and a second extendable base 772 on the opposite side of the support base 761 . In such implementations, the first and second extendable bases 771, 772 can help laterally support or stabilize the frame structure 762 and thus the particulate containers 130, 140, such as can help prevent particulate matter The containers 130, 140 and frame structure 762 collapse. The first and second extendable bases 771, 772 may also serve as loading bases for a truck during installation of the particulate containers 130, 140 onto the support structure 760, as explained below.

The first and second extendable bases 771, 772 can be movably connected to the frame structure 762 and the support base 761 via one or more mechanical linkages 773 such that the first and second extendable bases 771, 772 can Selectively positioned between a transport configuration in which the bases 771 , 772 are in a raised position and an operational configuration in which the bases 771 , 772 are in a lowered position, as shown in FIG. 14 . In the operational configuration, the first and second extendable bases 771, 772 can extend substantially horizontally from the frame structure 762, such as to help laterally support the bulk containers 130, 140 and/or provide a stowage base for transport. (not shown), the loading base is operable to mount the particulate matter containers 130 , 140 on the support structure 760 .

The frame structure 762 may include a plurality of frames 774 , 775 , 776 , 777 interconnected by a plurality of struts 778 . Frames 774, 775, 776, 777 may be substantially parallel to one another and may be substantially similar in construction and function. Each frame 774 , 775 , 776 , 777 may include a plurality of frame components, such as may be connected to form an enclosed structure surrounding at least a portion of the channel 768 . Each frame 774, 775, 776, 777 may be formed into a bow, such as to increase the structural strength of each frame 774, 775, 776, 777. Each frame 774, 775, 776, 777 can include an apex 779 located at the top center of each frame 774, 775, 776, 777, wherein each apex 779 can be connected to another via first and second connecting members 780, 781. A vertex 779 is connected. Each frame 774 , 775 , 776 , 777 may be formed from a suitable material operable to support a load from the particulate container 130 , 140 . For example, frames 774, 775, 776, 777 may be constructed from steel tubing, I-beams, channels, and/or other suitable materials, and may be joined together via various mechanical fastening techniques, such as may utilize one or more threaded Fasteners, plates, welds and/or other connecting members.

A first set of connectors 782 may be provided at the apex 779 of each frame 774, 775, 776, 777 within the corresponding silo receiving area 769, wherein each of the first set of connectors 782 may be configured during and after installation. Coupling or engaging with corresponding connectors on or corresponding portions of the particulate containers 130 , 140 . The second set of connectors 783 may be disposed within corresponding silo receiving areas 769 on the first extendable base 771 and/or the second extendable base 772 at a lower level than the first set of connectors 782 . Each of the second set of connectors 783 may couple or engage with a corresponding connector on or a corresponding portion of the particulate container 130, 140 during and after installation.

The first and second sets of connectors 782 , 783 within each silo receiving area 769 may be configured to attach to or otherwise engage the bulk containers 130 , 140 . Once the particulate containers 130, 140 are connected to the connectors 782, 783 on top of the frame structure 762, the support base 761 and the first and second deployable bases 771, 772 can be deployed into an operational configuration and the prime mover Gooseneck portion 763 of support structure 760 may be disconnected. Thereafter, gooseneck portion 763 may be manipulated to lie on the ground, possibly substantially coplanar with support base 761 , such as to form a ramp to help position mixing unit 200 at least partially within channel 768 , as shown in FIG. 13 . The mixing unit 200 may be positioned within the channel 768 defined by the frame structure 762 such that the solid material receiving portion 266 is aligned relative to the delivery mechanism 132, 142 of the bulk container 130, 140, such as a discharge chute, for gravity feeding . Thereafter, further transfer mechanisms 112 , 122 can be connected to the mixing unit 200 .

15 and 16 are perspective views of exemplary implementations of at least a portion of the transfer mechanism 182 , 192 shown in FIG. 1 , according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The illustration shows that the transfer mechanisms 182, 192 are implemented as a mobile transfer unit 720 comprising a chassis 722 supporting one or more horizontal conveyor systems 724 and a chassis 722 supporting one or more vertical conveyor systems 728. Mast 726. The following description refers to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 in common.

Chassis 722 may be implemented as a plurality of interconnected steel beams, channels, I-beams, H-beams, wide flanges, universal beams, rolled steel trusses, or any other suitable structure. The first end of the chassis 722 may include a gooseneck portion 730 operable to connect with a prime mover, such as may allow the mobile transfer unit 720 to be pulled by the prime mover to the wellsite surface 101 . A second end of the chassis 722 opposite the first end may include a plurality of wheels 732 rotatably connected to the chassis 722 and supporting the chassis 722 on the wellsite surface 101 . A horizontal conveyor system 724 may extend between the first and second ends of the chassis 722 . Horizontal conveyor system 724 may include augers, screw conveyors, conveyors, belts, and/or other transfer members operable to move solid additives and/or particulate materials. A portion of horizontal conveyor system 724 may be covered or enclosed by shroud 740 , while another portion of horizontal conveyor system 724 may extend through material unloading platform 734 .

A material unloading platform 734 may be connected to the chassis 722 and/or disposed on the chassis 722 adjacent the first end of the chassis 722 . Material unloading platform 734 may cover or enclose a portion of horizontal conveyor system 724 and include a plurality of vertical openings 736 on its top surface, such as may allow solid additives, granular material, and/or other bulky or loose material to be thrown. is fed, fed or otherwise introduced into the horizontal conveyor system 724 extending through or below the material unloading platform 734 . The material unloading platform 734 may further include one or more ramps 738, which may facilitate movement of the delivery vehicles 180, 190 over or onto the material unloading platform 734 and allow movement of the delivery vehicles 180, 190. Container chute 191 is aligned over opening 736 . The ramp 738 may be pivotally or otherwise movably connected to the material unloading platform 734 . During delivery, a chute may be positioned over opening 736 and then opened to allow solid additives and/or particulate material to be thrown, fed or otherwise introduced into horizontal conveyor system 724 .

As further shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 , the mast 726 may be pivotally connected to the chassis 722 via one or more mechanical linkages and, together with the vertical conveyor system 728 , may be connected via One or more actuators 742 move between the raised position and the lowered position. Mechanical linkages can be implemented in various ways, such as tracks, hydraulic or pneumatic arms, gears, worm jacks, cables, or combinations thereof. In some implementations, the actuator 742 can be a hydraulic or pneumatic actuator. Mast 726 may be implemented as a plurality of interconnected steel beams, channels, I-beams, H-beams, wide flanges, universal beams, rolled steel trusses, or any other suitable structure. Vertical conveyor system 728 may include screw feeders, screw conveyors, belts, conveyors, bucket elevators, belts, pneumatic tires, and/or other conveying members operable to move solid additives and/or particles vertically Material. Vertical conveyor system 728 may also be covered or enclosed by one or more shrouds 744 .

Mast 726 and vertical conveyor system 728 may be configured to lay substantially parallel to chassis 722 and be at least partially supported by gooseneck portion 730 when mobile transfer unit 720 is transported. The range of motion of the mast 726 and vertical conveyor system 728 may extend from substantially horizontal to slightly more than vertical (eg, a range of motion in excess of 90 degrees) when deployed to account for angular misalignment due to ground elevation differences.

During operation, horizontal conveyor system 724 is operable to move solid additives and/or particulate material introduced through opening 736 toward vertical conveyor system 728 . As the solid additive and/or particulate material reaches the end of the horizontal conveyor system 724, the solid additive and/or particulate material may be transferred onto the vertical conveyor system 728 and moved in an upward direction. For example, the horizontal conveyor system 724 can terminate with one or more outlets 746, which can allow transfer members to throw, feed, or otherwise introduce solid additives and/or particulate materials to one or more of the vertical conveyor system 728. Multiple entrances 748 in. The inlet 748 may in turn direct the solid additive and/or particulate material onto the transfer member of the vertical conveyor system 728 to be moved vertically toward the outlet 750 of the vertical conveyor system 726 .

Once the solid additive and/or particulate material reaches the top of the vertical conveyor system 728 , the upper conveyor system 752 is operable to move the solid additive and/or particulate material from the vertical conveyor system 728 into the bulk containers 130 , 140 . For example, upper conveyor system 752 may include screw conveyor 754 driven by motor 756 to move solid additives and/or particulate material horizontally away from vertical conveyor system 728 . Upper conveyor system 752 may include an inlet (obscured from view) operable to receive solid additive and/or particulate material from outlet 750 of vertical conveyor system 728 and direct solid additive and/or particulate material to Screw conveyor 754. The upper conveyor system 752 may further include an outlet 758, which may be positioned above or otherwise aligned with the inlet of the bulk container 130, 180, such as operable to pull solid additives and/or particulate material from The upper conveyor system 752 leads into the bulk containers 130 , 180 .

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an exemplary implementation of the mixing unit 200 shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 13 according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The mixing unit 200 is depicted in FIG. 17 as being implemented as a mobile mixing unit detachably connectable to a prime mover 701 . The mixing unit 200 includes a mobile carrier 702 having a frame 704 and a plurality of wheels 706 rotatably connected to the frame 704 and supporting the frame 704 on the wellsite surface 101 . The mobile mixing unit 200 may further include a control room 708 , which may be referred to in the art as an E room, connected to the frame 704 . Control chamber 708 may include one or more controllers, such as controller 510 shown in FIGS. 4 and 8 , and operable to monitor and control mixing unit 200 as described above.

The hydratable material container 204 is implemented in FIG. 17 as a hopper or bin operable to receive hydratable material therein. The hydratable material container 204 is connected to the frame 704 by, for example, a plurality of support members 710 .

The mixing unit 200 further includes a first mixer 214 and a hydratable material transfer device 206 , such as an auger and/or other device operable to meter the hydratable material into the first mixer 214 . The first mixer 214 is coupled to the frame 704 and includes a motor 712 operable to drive the first mixer 214 . The first mixer 214 may be or include a solid-fluid first mixer 214 as depicted in FIG. 5 or another mixer operable to mix or blend a hydration fluid with a hydratable material. Hydration fluid may be supplied to first mixer 214 from hydration fluid source 218 , which is depicted in FIG. 13 as being implemented to be operable to receive hydration fluid via port 249 . Each port 249 may include a valve 239 , such as operable to control the flow of hydration fluid into hydration fluid source 218 .

After the hydratable material is blended with the hydration fluid in first mixer 214 to form a concentrated first fluid mixture, the concentrated first fluid mixture can be transferred to one or more instances of first container 220 and passed through the Describe one or more examples. The first container 220 is depicted in FIG. 13 as being implemented as four enclosed hydration containers, each including a substantially continuous flow path extending therethrough, such as the exemplary implementation depicted in FIG. 6 . Accordingly, each first container 220 may include first and second ports 412, 422 operable to receive a concentrated first fluid mixture from each first container 220 or from each The first container 220 discharges the concentrated first fluid mixture. Each first container 220 may be connected to the frame 704 by, for example, a plurality of support members 714 .

After the concentrated first fluid mixture is passed through the first container 220, the concentrated first fluid mixture may be passed into a second container 260, which is depicted in FIG. 17 as being implemented as a head tank. The second container 260 may be connected to the frame 704 by, for example, a plurality of support members 716 .

Additional hydration fluid may be combined with or added to the concentrated first fluid mixture via diluter 230 (obscured from view in FIG. 13 ) prior to being introduced into second container 260 mixture. Hydration fluid may be delivered from hydration fluid source 218 to diluter 230 by a pump (obscured from view in FIG. 13 ). The hydration fluid and concentrated first fluid mixture may be combined within diluter 230 to form a first diluted fluid mixture, as described above, and delivered to second container 260 .

The diluted first fluid mixture may be discharged from second container 260 and introduced into second mixer 265 via supply conduit 270 . Particulate material may be introduced into the second mixer 265 via a solid material receiving portion 266 and solid additives may be introduced into the second mixer 265 via a further solid material receiving portion 280 .

FIG. 17 also depicts a liquid injection system 208 that may be used to introduce liquid additives to the diluted first fluid mixture or the second fluid mixture. The second fluid mixture is substantially continuously delivered to discharge manifold 275 as diluted first fluid mixture, solid additive, liquid additive, and particulate material are substantially continuously mixed within second mixer 265 . When valve 277 is open, the second fluid mixture may be exhausted from exhaust manifold 275 via port 276 . The wellsite system 100 may also include at least one particulate liquid chemical storage container, such as operable to gravity feed the liquid chemical to the liquid injection system 208 via a hose assembly.

FIG. 17 also depicts a power source 195 as described above, such as is operable to provide centralized power distribution to the hybrid unit 200 and/or other components of the wellsite system 100 . Utilizing a centralized power source 195 at the wellsite to drive one or more backside process equipment of the wellsite system 100 can render the mixing unit component agnostic, whether utilizing an on-site diesel generator or obtaining power from a regional power distribution network. It should be noted that centralized electrical power may also be hydraulic. utilization of centralized power can help increase overall system reliability, whereas utilization of individual prime movers (e.g., diesel engines) for each piece of equipment can adversely affect system reliability, increase environmental footprint, increase maintenance costs, and/or limit equipment capability .

The mixing unit 200 can be an intelligent process device that includes metering, mixing and blending functions that can utilize precision control, calibration and specialized machinery to deliver the fracturing fluid. Peripherals, such as bulk containers (ie, bulk container 102 ), can be maintained as the basis for storage and gravity-fed, utilizing minimal supervision and control. The mixing unit 200 may also include a motor control center within or adjacent to the control chamber 708, which may controlly drive the mixers on the mixing unit 200 (i.e., first and second mixers 214, 265) and metering devices ( That is, material transfer devices 206, 267, 281).

The exemplary mobile implementation of mixing unit 200 depicted in FIG. 17 combines gel mixing and solid blending on a single frame or chassis (ie, frame 704 ). Such integration can help provide process piping standardization; reduced footprint; improved reliability; reduced health, safety and environment (HSE) exposure; and/or improved controllability. Mixing unit 200 may serve as a standardized backside manifold and may be a piece of wet process equipment where gel mixing, solid blending, and liquid and dry additive metering take place.

The mixing unit 200 may also reduce duplication of pumps (ie, hydration fluid pump 260, metering pump 261) to transfer fluid from one device to another. For example, the first mixer 214 can be utilized to transfer the hydration fluid from the particulate container 150 to the mixing unit 200, the metering pump 241 can transfer the first mixture from the first container 220 to the second container 260, and the hydration fluid pump 240 The hydration fluid may be transferred from the particulate container 150 to the second container 260 . Duplication of intake and discharge manifolds can thus be reduced.

Hybrid unit 200 may further include built-in system redundancy. For example, the first mixer 214 may act as a backup to a failed external hydration fluid transfer pump.

Mixing unit 200 may also combine multiple instances of liquid injection system 208 in a single unit. The mixing unit 200 can deliver chemistry for heterogeneous proppant and/or fiber pulsing techniques where, in addition to proppant pulsing, gel concentration can also be pulsed or slick water pumped with certain additives in The cross-linked gel can be combined on one side of the second mixer 265, pumped on the other side of the second mixer 265 to produce a heterogeneous fluid at the discharge.

The mixing unit 200 may include at least one small volume solid-liquid mixing system, which may utilize a specific hydration time; and at least one large volume solid-liquid mixing system, which may be performed sequentially or independently and delivered individually or together to the discharge line . Small volume solid-liquid hybrid systems may have the option of using multiple types of solids simultaneously. Similarly, bulk solid-liquid mixing systems can blend multiple solids simultaneously. The mixing unit 200 may include storage capacity for small volumes of solids and/or liquids for preparing fracturing fluids.

The mixing unit 200 is operable to perform a variety of different job types, such as slickwater dirty work, slickwater splitting work, crosslinking work, and mixing work. For example, the mixing unit 200 may be used in slick water work that utilizes water with various additives at high rates instead of gels. In dirty operation, water can be passed into the second container 260, and the flow control device 250 can be used to control the flow rate of the water entering the second container 260 so that the flow rate is consistent with the flow rate in the second mixer 265. One or two matching proportional flow valves. The fluid level in the second container 260 can be maintained, and the control loop can be used to fine-tune the proportional control valve to compensate for the difference in level between the target and actual values. A suitable feedback or control loop may be utilized, such as a PID control loop.

This type of control can also be used for shunt operations (SSO) work. However, less than 100% of the flow may be routed through the second mixer 265 . For example, a predetermined split between clean and dirty, such as 60:40, may be utilized. Hydration fluid pump 260 may also discharge water directly into drain manifold 275 . Valve adjustment ensures that clean and dirty operations do not mix unless desired. The gel-forming part can be completely closed and not utilized. However, the first mixer 214 may instead be used as redundancy in the event of a failure of the transfer pump.

During the cross-linking operation, the gel-forming means can be activated. The concentrated first fluid mixture metered by metering pump 261 may be displaced into a downstream location. The resulting flow dynamics may allow uniform mixing of the two fluids, and a diluted mixture of the first fluid may be transferred into the second container 260 . Downstream processes can remain the same. For control, the intake flow rate of the first mixer 214 may be used to meter guar gum or other hydratable material into the first mixer 214 to achieve a selected concentration. The corresponding flow ratios may be held fixed to achieve a selected concentration of the diluted first fluid mixture delivered into the second container 260 . The flow rate downstream of the second vessel 260 may be used as the total flow rate target into the second vessel 260 . This can help maintain a substantially constant liquid level inside the second container 260 at steady state. However, due to transients, the liquid level inside the second container 260 may drop or rise from the optimum level. Therefore, a control loop can be utilized to achieve the correct rate at the inlet of the second container 260 .

In the event of a failure of a primary component, such as pump 240, the tubing associated with first mixer 214 may be configured to allow fluid (e.g., water or other hydration fluid) to be displaced directly into second container 260, thus The first container 220 and pump 241 are bypassed, such as to allow the well to be flushed. Another system backup may be related to failure of pump 241, in which case pump 241 may be bypassed and flow control device 245 may be used to meter the first fluid mixture. If operation of the first mixture 214 is stopped, the pump 241 may enter into recirculation with the first container 220, such as to maintain motion of the entire volume. If it is found that the suction of the first mixer 214 is insufficient from the point of view of the suction from the bulk container 150, the discharge of the pump 240 can also be used to boost the suction side of the first mixer 214, Such as may provide a net positive suction head.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method ( 810 ) according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The method ( 810 ) may be performed using at least a portion of one or more implementations of the devices shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-17 and/or other devices within the scope of the present disclosure.

The method (810) includes establishing (812) centralized power at the well site. For example, establishing ( 812 ) centralized power may include installing and/or starting the centralized power source 195 described above, such as by connecting to a local grid, starting a generator set, and/or otherwise. Concentrated power may be established (812) to drive one or more components of the mixing unit 200 shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-4, 8, 13, and 17, One or more components of the mobile transfer unit 720, and/or other devices shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13 .

The method (810) also includes activating (814) the centralized controller. For example, the centralized controller may be the controller 510 described above. A centralized controller may be a centralized motor integrated into one or more pieces of equipment to distribute power and control material handling, fluid handling, mixing, metering, blending, conditioning, and/or delivery functions used to prepare fracturing fluids at the wellsite Part of the control room. For example, the centralized motor control room may be the control room 708 described above. The centralized controller may be or may include a local control system, such as controller 510 and/or other controllers implemented on one or more components at the wellsite, which may communicate with prime movers, power supply components, Valves, actuators, process monitoring systems, sensors and/or other components are connected and can provide set point and system level operating parameters.

The method (810) also includes filling (816) the particulate container at the wellsite. For example, the bulk container may include one or more of the containers 110, 120, 130, 140, and filling (816) the container may include operating one or more of the transfer mechanisms 162, 172, 182, 192 described above. Multiple.

The method (810) also includes transferring (818) material from the one or more bulk containers to a mixing unit. For example, the mixing unit may be the mixing unit 200 described above, and delivering (818) the material to the mixing unit 200 may include operating one or more of the transfer mechanisms 112, 122, 132, 142 described above. Conveying (818) may include separating the incoming fluid medium (such as from one or more inlets 218) into at least two subsystems of the mixing unit, such as the rheology control section 202 and the bulk solids blending section 210 of the mixing unit 200 .

The method (810) also includes operating (819) a first subsystem of the mixing unit. For example, the first subsystem may be solids dispersion and/or mixing system 214 and/or other components of rheology control portion 202 of mixing unit 200 . Such operations (819) may, for example, produce a substantially continuous flow of gel or other quantities of gel, such as the concentrated first fluid mixture described above. Operation (819) of the first subsystem may include performing a rheology modification process that may produce a concentration of a particular constituent (e.g., guar gum or other hydrating material) higher than the final downhole concentration expected to be utilized Concentrated fluid mixture.

The method (810) also includes operating (824) a second subsystem of the mixing unit. Inputs to the second subsystem may include emissions from the first subsystem. For example, the second subsystem may be one or more of the solids blending system 265 and/or other components of the bulk solids blending section 210 of the mixing unit 200 . Such operations (824) may, for example, produce a substantially continuous flow of fracturing fluid or other quantities of fracturing fluid, such as the second fluid mixture described above. Operating (824) the second subsystem may include feeding the effluent from the operation (819) of the first subsystem to the second subsystem, where a set of second rheology-modifying solids may be at Metering and/or bulk solids (eg, proppant and/or other particulate material) may be introduced by gravity feeding from silos or other containers (such as bulk containers 130 and/or 140 ) using conventional methods.

The method (810) also includes draining (826) the fluid from the second subsystem of the mixing unit. For example, such discharge ( 826 ) may include a substantially continuous stream of fracturing fluid or other quantities of fracturing fluid and/or other fluid mixtures flowing through one or more outlets 275 of mixing unit 200 .

The method (810) may also include operating (820) a diluter to dilute the concentration of the fluid discharged from the first subsystem. However, operating (820) the diluter may form part of the operation (819) of the first subsystem. The diluter may be the diluter 230 described above. Operating (820) the diluter may include the process of in-air diluting the rheology-modified fluid obtained by operating (819) the first subsystem to obtain a fluid of near final concentration.

The method (810) may also include introducing (822) one or more property enhancing chemicals into the input material or effluent fluid of operating (819) the first subsystem and/or operating (824) the second subsystem. For example, such introduction (822) may occur via the operation of liquid metering system 208 described above.

Figure 19 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method (1000) according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The method (1000) may be performed using at least a portion of one or more implementations of the devices shown in one or more of Figures 1-17 and/or other devices within the scope of the present disclosure. One or more aspects of an implementation of the method ( 1000 ) shown in FIG. 19 may be substantially similar to one or more aspects of an implementation of the method ( 810 ) shown in FIG. 18 . One or more aspects of the method ( 810 ) shown in FIG. 18 may be substantially the same as corresponding aspects of the method ( 1000 ) shown in FIG. 19 . One or more aspects of the method (810) shown in FIG. 18 may be combined with one or more aspects of the method (1000) shown in FIG. 19 in various additional ways within the scope of the present disclosure.

The method (1000) includes transporting (1005) the mobile system on the surface to a wellsite. The mobile system may be or include the mobile mixing unit 200 shown in FIG. 17 and/or other systems within the scope of the present disclosure. The method (1000) may further include coupling (1002) the mobile system to the prime mover 701 prior to moving (1005) the mobile system to the wellsite.

After the mobile system is moved (1005) to the wellsite, the first mixer 214 is operated (1010) to mix the hydratable material and the hydration fluid to form one or more instances of delivery through the first container 220 and/or surge tank 260 the first fluid. The first fluid may be a concentrated first fluid mixture or a diluted first fluid mixture as described above. Second mixture 265 is also operated (1015) to mix the particulate material with the first fluid discharged from vessel 220 and/or surge tank 260 to form a second fluid to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid. The second fluid may be the second fluid mixture described above.

As described above, operating (1010) the first mixer 214 may include operating the first mixer 214 to mix the hydratable material and the substantially continuous supply of hydration fluid to form the substantially continuous supply of the first fluid. A substantially continuous supply of the first fluid may be delivered substantially continuously from the first mixer 214 to the second mixer 265 via the container 220 and/or surge tank 260 . Operating (1015) the second mixer 265 may include operating the second mixer 265 to mix the substantially continuous supply of the particulate material with the substantially continuous supply of the first fluid discharged from the vessel 220 and/or surge tank 260 to form A substantially continuous supply of the second fluid.

The method ( 1000 ) may further include controlling ( 1020 ) the flow rate of the first fluid from the vessel 220 and/or surge tank 260 to the second mixer 265 . Controlling ( 1020 ) the flow rate of the first fluid may include controlling pump 241 or another pump in fluid communication between second mixer 265 and one or more of container 220 and/or surge tank 260 .

The method ( 1000 ) may further include reducing ( 1025 ) the concentration of the hydratable material in the first fluid received by the second mixer 265 . Such reduction (1025) may include operating pump 240 to add aqueous fluid to the first fluid discharged from first container 220; operating pump 240 to adjust the flow rate of aqueous fluid added to the first fluid; operating valve 250 to Adjust the flow rate of the aqueous fluid added to the first fluid; operate the pump 241 to adjust the flow rate of the first fluid from the container 220 and/or surge tank 260 to the second mixer 265; operate the valve 245 to adjust the flow rate of the first fluid from the container 220 and/or the flow rate from surge tank 260 to second mixer 265; or a combination thereof.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method ( 830 ) according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The method ( 830 ) may be performed using at least a portion of one or more implementations of the devices shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-17 and/or other devices within the scope of the present disclosure.

The method (830) includes transporting (832) equipment to the wellsite. For example, the equipment for transporting (832) may include the support structure 760 shown in FIG. 14, the mobile transfer unit 720 shown in FIGS. Mobile mixing unit 200 and other devices shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13 .

The method (830) also includes deploying (834) the mobile substrate at the wellsite. For example, the moving base can be the support structure 760 shown in FIG. 14 .

The method (830) also includes mounting (836) silos and/or other vertical particulate containers on the deployed (834) mobile base. For example, the container installed ( 836 ) may be the bulk container 130 , 140 shown in FIG. 16 . Installing ( 836 ) the container may also include aligning the container with the mobile base, such as via the alignment features described above with respect to the support structure 760 shown in FIG. 14 .

The method (830) also includes deploying (838) the transfer/loading system relative to the deployed (834) mobile base and the mounted (836) particulate container. For example, the transfer/loading system may be the mobile transfer unit 720 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 . Deploying ( 838 ) the transfer/load system may also include aligning the transfer/load system with the moving substrate, such as via the alignment features described above with respect to the support structure 760 shown in FIG. 14 .

The method (830) also includes driving (840) the mixing unit beneath the deployed (834) mobile base such that a receiving/storage portion of the mobile mixing unit is aligned relative to a discharge location of the mounted (836) particulate container. The mobile mixing unit may be mobile mixing unit 200 shown in FIG. 17 such that driving ( 840 ) the mixing unit may require operation of prime mover 701 . Driving (840) the mixing unit below the mobile base for deployment (834) may be performed before, during or after installing (836) the particulate container and/or deploying (838) the transfer/loading system.

The method (830) also includes connecting (842) other material supply systems to the mixing unit via the various delivery mechanisms described above. Such connections (842) may include connecting the transfer mechanism 112 between the bulk container 110 and the mixing unit 200, connecting the transfer mechanism 122 between the bulk container 120 and the mixing unit 200, connecting the transfer mechanism 132 between between the bulk container 130 and the mixing unit 200, and/or connect the transfer mechanism 142 between the bulk container 140 and the mixing unit 200, unless the bulk container is one of those previously installed (836).

The method (830) also includes connecting (844) a power source to the mixing unit. For example, the power source may be the centralized power source 195 described above.

The method (830) also includes loading (846) the buffer storage volume on the mixing unit using an associated delivery mechanism. For example, such loading (846) may include loading silo receiving and/or storage members 204, solids receiving and/or storage members 280, and/or bulk solids receiving and/or storage members 266 described above.

Figure 21 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method (900) according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The method ( 900 ) may be performed using at least a portion of one or more implementations of the devices shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-17 and/or other devices within the scope of the present disclosure. One or more aspects of an implementation of the method ( 900 ) shown in FIG. 21 may be substantially similar to one or more aspects of an implementation of the method ( 830 ) shown in FIG. 20 . One or more aspects of the method ( 830 ) shown in FIG. 20 may be substantially the same as corresponding aspects of the method ( 900 ) shown in FIG. 21 . One or more aspects of the method (830) shown in FIG. 20 may be combined with one or more aspects of the method (900) shown in FIG. 21 in various additional ways within the scope of this disclosure.

The method (900) includes operating (905) one or more of the transfer mechanisms 162, 172, 182, 192 to transfer material received from a corresponding delivery vehicle 160, 170, 180, 190 to a corresponding bulk container 110, 120, 130, 140. One or more of the transfer mechanisms 112 , 122 , 132 , 142 is also operated ( 910 ) to transfer the corresponding material from the corresponding bulk container 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 to the mixing unit 200 . The mixing unit 200 is operated ( 915 ) to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid with each of the materials received from the transfer mechanisms 112 , 122 , 132 , 142 . Operating ( 910 ) the transfer mechanism 112 , 122 , 132 , 142 to transfer the material from the bulk container 110 , 120 , 130 , 140 to the mixing unit 200 may include operating each of the transfer mechanism 112 , 122 , 132 , 142 , At least one of the transfer mechanisms 162, 172, 182, 192 is not operated at the same time. The method ( 900 ) may further include physically aligning ( 920 ) each of the delivery vehicles 160 , 170 , 180 , 190 with the corresponding transfer mechanism 162 , 172 , 182 , 192 .

Operating (915) the mixing unit 200 to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid with each material received from each of the transfer mechanisms 112, 122, 132, 142 may include operating the mixing unit 200 substantially continuously to form a substantially A continuous supply of the subterranean formation fracturing fluid is at least partially formed when at least one of the delivery mechanisms 162, 172, 182, 192 is not operated.

Figure 22 is a flowchart of at least a portion of an example implementation of a method (930) according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The method ( 930 ) may be performed using at least a portion of one or more implementations of the devices shown in one or more of FIGS. 1-17 and/or other devices within the scope of the present disclosure.

The method (930) includes operating (935) the controller 510 of the mixing unit 200 to input a hydratable material concentration set point for the first fluid. The first fluid may be the concentrated first fluid mixture described above or the diluted first fluid mixture, such as may be discharged from the first mixture 214 , the first container 220 , the diluter 230 , or the second container 260 . The controller 510 is also operated (940) to input a proppant material concentration set point for the second fluid to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid. The second fluid may be the second fluid mixture described above, such as the entire second mixer 265 or mixing unit 200 discharge. The controller 510 is then operated (945) to initiate operation of the mixing unit 200 to form a substantially continuous supply of the second fluid having a proppant material concentration.

Operating (945) the controller 510 to begin operation of the mixing unit 200 may cause the controller 510 to control the amount of hydratable material delivery device 206 and/or another metering device metered into the first mixer 214 based on the hydratable material concentration set point. Rate of hydratable material. Operating (945) the controller 510 to begin operation of the mixing unit 200 may also or alternatively cause the controller 510 to control the metering of the particulate material metering device 267 and/or another metering device into the second mixer based on the proppant material concentration set point Rate 281 of proppant material in 265.

The method (930) may further include operating (950) the controller 510 to input a diluted hydratable material concentration set point. In such implementations, operating (945) the controller 510 to initiate operation of the mixing unit 200 may cause the controller 510 to control the corresponding flow control device to control the first fluid to the second fluid based on the diluted hydratable material concentration set point. The flow rate of the mixer 265 to form a first fluid having a diluted hydratable material concentration, and/or to control the flow rate of the dilution fluid combined with the first fluid before the first fluid is received by the second mixer 265, to form a first fluid having a dilute concentration of hydratable material.

The method (930) may further include operating (955) the controller 510 to input a liquid additive concentration set point for the second fluid. In such implementations, operating (945) the controller 510 to begin operation of the mixing unit 200 may cause the controller 510 to control the addition of the liquid additive to one of the first and second fluids based on the liquid additive concentration set point to form The velocity of the first or second fluid having a liquid additive concentration.

The method (930) may further include operating (960) the controller 510 to input a solid additive concentration set point for the second fluid. In such implementations, operating (945) the controller 510 to begin operation of the mixing unit 200 may cause the controller 510 to control the metering device to meter the solid additive into the second mixer 265 based on the solid additive concentration set point to form a mixture having a solid additive concentration The velocity of the second fluid.

Operating (945) the controller 510 to begin operation of the mixing unit 200 may also cause the controller 510 to control the various flow control devices based on at least one of the hydration material concentration set point and the proppant material concentration set point to control the hydration fluid, The flow rates of the first fluid and the second fluid. Operating (945) the controller 510 to begin operation of the mixing unit 200 may also cause the controller 510 to control the various metering devices to meter the hydratable material and proppant material. Also as described above, the mixing unit 200 may include various sensors in communication with the controller 510 and operable to generate information about the flow rates of the hydration fluid, hydration material, first fluid, proppant material, and second fluid. information. In such implementations, the controller 510 is operable to control various flow control and metering devices based on the generated information.

In view of the entirety of this disclosure, including the claims and drawings, one of ordinary skill in the art should readily recognize that this disclosure introduces an apparatus comprising: a mobility system comprising: a frame; a plurality of wheels, which operatively connected to the frame and supporting the frame on the ground; a first mixer connected to the frame and operable to receive and mix a hydratable material and a hydration fluid to form a first fluid; a container connected to the frame and comprising a flow path traversed by the first fluid for a period of time sufficient to allow the viscosity of the first fluid to increase to a predetermined level; and a second mixer connected to the frame and operable to mix the particulate material with the first fluid discharged from the vessel to form a second fluid to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid.

The first mixer is operable to substantially continuously form the first fluid, the container is operable to substantially continuously convey the first fluid between the first and second mixers, and the second mixer is operable to substantially continuously form the second fluid.

The first mixer is operable to: receive a substantially continuous supply of hydratable material; receive a substantially continuous supply of hydratable fluid; and substantially continuously mix the substantially continuous supply of hydratable fluid with the substantially continuous supply of hydratable fluid to form A substantially continuous supply of the first fluid. In such implementations, the substantially continuous supply of the first fluid may occur substantially continuously through the flow path of the container; and the second mixer is operable to: receive the substantially continuous supply of particulate material; receive the second fluid from the container; a substantially continuous supply of a fluid; and substantially continuously mixing the substantially continuous supply of the particulate material with the substantially continuous supply of the first fluid discharged from the vessel to form the substantially continuous supply of the second fluid.

The movement system may further include a fluid junction between the container and the second mixer and be operable to add aqueous fluid to the first fluid discharged from the container. The fluid junction may include a first channel operable to receive an aqueous fluid; a second fluid channel operable to receive the first fluid discharged from the vessel; and a third channel operable to convey the aqueous fluid and Both the first fluid discharged from the container. The hydration fluid and the aqueous fluid may be the same and may be received by the first mixer and fluid junction from a single source. The movement system may further comprise at least one of: a first flow control device operable to control a first flow rate of the first fluid discharged from the container to the fluid junction; and a second flow control device operable to control A second flow rate of aqueous fluid to the fluid junction. At least one of the first and second flow control means may include a flow control valve. At least one of the first and second flow control devices may include a pump.

The container may be a first container, and the movement system may further include a second container fluidly connected between the first container and the second mixer, the second container may receive the first fluid discharged from the first container, and the second mixing The container is operable to receive the first fluid from the second container.

The hydratable material may consist essentially of guar gum, the hydratable material may consist essentially of polymers, synthetic polymers, galactomannans, polysaccharides, cellulose, clays, or combinations thereof. A hydration fluid may consist essentially of water. The particulate material may include proppant material. The proppant material may include one or more of sand, sand-like particulates, silica, and quartz. The particulate material may further comprise fibrous material. The fibrous material may include one or more of glass fibers, phenol formaldehyde, polyester, polylactic acid, cedar bark, chopped sugar cane stalks, mineral fibers, and hair.

The container may be a first-in first-out continuous fluid container.

The movement system is operable to connect with the prime mover.

The present disclosure also describes a method comprising: moving a mobile system on the surface to a wellsite, wherein the mobile system includes: a frame; a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the frame and supporting the frame on the surface; a mixer connected to the frame; a container connected to the frame and in fluid communication with the first mixer; and a second mixer connected to the frame and in fluid communication with the container; operating the first mixer to mix the hydratable material and hydrating fluid to form a first fluid delivered through the vessel; and operating a second mixer to mix the particulate material with the first fluid discharged from the vessel to form a second fluid to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid.

Operating the first mixer may include operating the first mixer to mix the substantially continuous supply of the hydratable material and the hydration fluid to form the substantially continuous supply of the first fluid. The substantially continuous supply of the first fluid may be delivered substantially continuously from the first mixer to the second mixer through the container. Operating the second mixer may include operating the second mixer to mix the substantially continuous supply of particulate material with the substantially continuous supply of the first fluid discharged from the vessel to form the substantially continuous supply of the second fluid.

The container may channel the first fluid internally for a period of time sufficient to allow the viscosity of the first fluid to increase to a predetermined level.

Operating the first mixer may pressurize the first fluid sufficiently to cause the first fluid to pass through the container.

The method may further include controlling a flow rate of the first fluid from the container to the second mixer. Controlling the flow rate of the first fluid may include controlling a pump in fluid communication between the container and the second mixer.

The movement system may further include a pump, and the method may further include operating the pump to add aqueous fluid to the first fluid discharged from the container to reduce the concentration of hydratable material in the first fluid received by the second mixer. The pump may be a first pump, and the method may further include at least one of operating the first pump to adjust a first flow rate of aqueous fluid added to the first fluid; operating the first pump downstream of the first pump; valve to adjust the first flow rate; operate a second pump fluidly connected between the container and the second mixer to adjust the second flow rate of the first fluid from the container to the second mixer; and operate the second pump downstream of the second pump Second valve to adjust the second flow rate.

The container may be a first container, and the movement system may further include a second container in fluid communication between the container and the second mixer, the first mixer being operated to form a first fluid delivered through the first container that may be transferred through the first container The first fluid is passed to the second container, and the first fluid mixed with the particulate material by the second mixer is available from the second container. In such implementations, the movement system may further include a pump, and the method may further include operating the pump to add the aqueous fluid to the first fluid discharged from the first container and received by the second container.

The method may further include coupling the movement system to the prime mover.

The present disclosure also describes an apparatus comprising: a wellsite system for use in subterranean fracturing operations, wherein the wellsite system comprises: a plurality of containers; a plurality of first delivery mechanisms, each first delivery mechanism operable to transferring a corresponding one of the plurality of materials from a corresponding one of the plurality of delivery vehicles to a corresponding one of the containers; the mixing unit; and a plurality of second transfer mechanisms each operable to transfer the material in A corresponding material of the containers is transferred from a corresponding one of the containers to a mixing unit, wherein the mixing unit is operable to mix the material received from each second transfer mechanism to form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid.

The plurality of materials may include a hydratable material, a liquid additive, a solid additive, and a proppant material, and the plurality of first delivery mechanisms may include a hydratable material delivery mechanism operable to deliver the hydratable material to the container a first container in the container; a liquid additive transfer mechanism operable to transfer a liquid additive to a second container in the container; a solid additive transfer mechanism operable to transfer a solid additive to a third container in the container; and a support A proppant material delivery mechanism operable to deliver proppant material to a fourth of the containers. In such implementations, the plurality of second transfer mechanisms may include: an additional hydratable material transfer mechanism operable to transfer the hydratable material from a first of the containers to the mixing unit; an additional liquid additive transfer a mechanism operable to transfer a liquid additive from a second of the containers to the mixing unit; an additional solid additive transfer mechanism operable to transfer a solid additive from a third of the containers to the mixing unit; and additional A proppant material transfer mechanism operable to transfer proppant material from a fourth of the containers to the mixing unit.

The wellsite system may further include a material delivery region adjacent to the first transfer mechanism, and the containers may each be physically positioned between the mixing unit and the material delivery region.

Each container is operable to receive therein a corresponding total amount of material transported by a corresponding delivery vehicle.

The storage capacity of each container may be approximately equal to or greater than the storage capacity of the corresponding delivery vehicle.

The first transfer mechanism is operable to periodically transfer the corresponding material from the delivery vehicle to the corresponding container, the second transfer mechanism is operable to substantially continuously transfer the corresponding material from the corresponding container to the mixing unit, and the mixing unit is operable to A substantially continuous supply of fracturing fluid is discharged.

The mixing unit is operable to substantially continuously form the fracturing fluid when the one or more first delivery mechanisms are not delivering the one or more corresponding materials from the corresponding one or more delivery vehicles.

The mixing unit may comprise a mixer and a hopper associated with the mixer, and a second transfer mechanism is operable to transfer the corresponding material from the corresponding container into the hopper.

The plurality of materials may include a hydratable material and a proppant material, the mixing unit may include a first mixer and a second mixer, and the plurality of second delivery mechanisms may include a hydratable material delivery mechanism operable to transfer a hydratable material delivered to a first hopper operable to feed the hydratable material to the first mixer; and a proppant material delivery mechanism operable to deliver proppant material to a second hopper, the second hopper Operable to feed proppant material to the second mixer.

The plurality of materials may include a hydratable material and a proppant material, and the mixing unit may include: a frame; a first mixer connected to the frame and operable to mix the hydratable material with a hydration fluid to form a mixture; and a second A mixer coupled to the frame and operable to mix proppant material with the mixture. The mixing unit may further include a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the frame and supporting the frame on the ground. The mixing unit may further include a hydration container connected to the frame and in fluid communication between the first and second mixers.

The present disclosure also describes a method comprising: operating each of a plurality of first transfer mechanisms to transfer a corresponding one of a plurality of materials received from a corresponding one of a plurality of delivery vehicles to a plurality of containers wherein each of the plurality of materials has a different composition; each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms is operated to transfer a corresponding material of the plurality of materials from a corresponding container of the plurality of containers to the mixing unit; And the mixing unit is operated to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid with each of the plurality of materials received from each of the plurality of second delivery mechanisms.

Operating each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms to transfer a corresponding one of the plurality of materials from a corresponding one of the plurality of containers to the mixing unit may include operating each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms while not operating all of the plurality of containers. at least one of the plurality of first transmission mechanisms.

The method may further comprise physically aligning each of the plurality of delivery vehicles with a corresponding one of the plurality of first delivery mechanisms, such as within a contiguous physical area that is simultaneously accessible by the plurality of delivery vehicles .

The method may further include storing some of each of the plurality of materials in each corresponding container of the plurality of containers, wherein each of the plurality of materials stored in each corresponding container of the plurality of containers The amount of one material can be about equal to or greater than the storage capacity of a corresponding one of the plurality of delivery vehicles.

Operating each of the plurality of first transfer mechanisms to transfer a corresponding one of the plurality of materials to a corresponding one of the plurality of containers may include periodically operating each of the plurality of first transfer mechanisms to transfer the plurality of materials to a corresponding one of the plurality of containers. The corresponding material of is delivered to a corresponding container of the plurality of containers. In such implementations, operating each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms to transfer a corresponding one of the plurality of materials from a corresponding one of the plurality of containers to the mixing unit may comprise operating the plurality of second transfer mechanisms substantially continuously. each of the mechanisms to substantially continuously transfer a corresponding one of the plurality of materials from a corresponding container of the plurality of containers to the mixing unit, and operate the mixing unit to utilize the material received from each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms At least partially forming the subterranean formation fracturing fluid may include substantially continuously operating the mixing unit to form a substantially continuous supply to at least partially form the subterranean formation fracturing fluid.

Operating the mixing unit to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid using each of the plurality of materials received from each of the plurality of second delivery mechanisms may include operating the mixing unit substantially continuously to form A substantially continuous supply to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid when at least one of the first plurality of delivery mechanisms is not operating.

The plurality of second delivery mechanisms may include a hydratable material delivery mechanism and a proppant material delivery mechanism, and operating the mixing unit to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid may include operating a first mixer of the mixing unit to form a fluid comprising a mixture of hydratable materials of a hydrating material delivery mechanism, wherein the first mixer is connected to the frame; and operating a second mixer of the mixing unit to combine the mixture with proppant material received from the proppant material delivery mechanism, wherein the second The mixer is attached to the frame. The second mixer may receive the mixture discharged by the first mixer via a hydrator fluidly connected between the first and second mixers, wherein the hydrator is connected to the frame.

Operating each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms to transfer a corresponding one of the plurality of materials from a corresponding one of the plurality of containers to the mixing unit may include operating at least one of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms to transfer the plurality of materials Corresponding material in is delivered from a corresponding one of the plurality of containers to a hopper of the mixing unit.

The plurality of materials may include hydratable materials and proppant materials. The variety of materials can include hydratable materials, proppant materials, liquid additives, and solid additives.

The present disclosure also describes an apparatus comprising: a first mixer operable to form a mixture by combining a hydratable material and a hydration fluid; a second mixer operable to form a mixture by combining the mixture with a proppant material to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid; and a controller operable to control: a hydratable material concentration of the mixture; and a proppant material concentration of the subterranean formation fracturing fluid.

The controller is further operable to control the discharge flow rate of the second mixer.

The apparatus may further comprise a frame to which the first and second mixers are connected. The apparatus may further include a control center including the controller and connected to the frame. The apparatus may further comprise a hydrator connected to the frame, wherein the mixture may be received by the second mixer via the hydrator.

The apparatus may further include: a plurality of flow meters in communication with the controller and operable to generate information about corresponding flow rates of the hydration fluid, the mixture, and the subterranean formation fracturing fluid; a plurality of flow control devices in communication with the controller communication, wherein the controller is further operable to control a plurality of flow control devices to control flow rates of hydration fluids, mixtures, and subsurface formation fluids; and a plurality of metering devices in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further operable to Operable to control a plurality of metering devices to meter hydratable material and proppant material. The controller is further operable to automatically control the plurality of flow control devices and the plurality of metering devices based on predetermined set points for the hydratable material concentration and the proppant material concentration. The controller is further operable to receive user input, wherein the user input includes predetermined set points for the hydratable material concentration and the proppant material concentration.

The apparatus may further comprise: a flow control device in communication with a controller, wherein the controller is further operable to control the flow control device to control the flow of hydration fluid into the first mixer; a flow meter in communication with the controller and operable to generate information about the flow rate of hydration fluid into the first mixer; and a metering device in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further operable to control the metering device to meter the hydratable material into the first mixer, And thereby controlling the hydratable material concentration of the mixture discharged from the first mixer.

The apparatus may further comprise: a diluter operable to dilute the mixture discharged by the first mixer before the mixture is received by the second mixer; at least one flow meter in communication with the controller and operable to generate information on the flow rate of at least one of the mixture discharged by the first mixer and the dilution fluid added to the mixture by the diluter; and at least one flow control device in communication with the controller and operable to control the discharge by the first mixer The flow rate of at least one of the mixture and the dilution fluid added to the mixture by the diluter, wherein the controller is further operable to control at least one flow control device to control the hydratable material concentration of the diluted mixture discharged by the diluter .

The apparatus may further comprise: a tank for storing the mixture discharged from the first mixer, wherein the second mixer is operable to receive the mixture from the tank; and a liquid level sensor in communication with the controller and operable to generate an associated Information on the amount of mixture in the tank.

The apparatus may further comprise: a flow control device in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further operable to control the flow control device to control the flow of the mixture into the second mixer; a flow meter in communication with the controller and operable to generate information about the flow rate of the mixture into the second mixer; and a metering device in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further operable to control the metering device to meter the proppant material into the second mixer, and thereby control the subsurface The proppant material concentration of the formation fracturing fluid.

The apparatus may further comprise a liquid additive injection conduit fluidly connected to a liquid additive source for introducing the liquid additive into at least one of: received by the second mixer from the first mixer and the fracturing fluid discharged from the second mixer. The apparatus may further comprise: at least one flow meter in communication with the controller and operable to generate information about the flow of the liquid additive through the liquid additive injection conduit; and at least one flow control device in communication with the controller and operable to control the flow of the liquid additive through the liquid additive injection conduit, wherein the controller is further operable to control at least one flow control device to control the flow of the liquid additive through the liquid additive injection conduit.

The apparatus may further comprise a solid additive delivery mechanism for introducing a solid additive into at least one of: the mixture received by the second mixer from the first mixer; Fracturing fluid discharged from the mixer. The apparatus may further comprise at least one flow control device in communication with the controller and operable to control the rate at which the solid additive is introduced, wherein the controller is further operable to control the at least one flow control device to control The rate at which solid additives are introduced.

The apparatus may further comprise: a plurality of flow control devices in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further operable to control the plurality of flow control devices to control the flow of the hydration fluid, the mixture, and the subterranean formation fracturing fluid; and a plurality of metering devices in communication with the controller, wherein the controller is further operable to control the plurality of metering devices to meter the hydratable material and the proppant material.

The apparatus may further include: a plurality of flow control devices in communication with the controller and operable to control the flow of the hydration fluid, mixture, and subterranean formation fracturing fluid; and a plurality of metering devices in communication with the controller and operable to meter the hydratable material and the proppant material; wherein the controller is operable to control the hydratable material concentration of the mixture and the subsurface formation compaction by controlling the plurality of flow control devices, the plurality of metering devices, and the first and second mixers The concentration of proppant material in the fracturing fluid.

The present disclosure also describes a method comprising: a controller of an operating system to input a hydratable material concentration set point for a first fluid, wherein the system includes a controller and a first mixer, and wherein the first mixing The device is operable to mix the hydratable material and the hydrating fluid to form a first fluid having a concentration of the hydratable material; the controller is operated to input a proppant material concentration set point for the second fluid to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid, wherein The system further includes a second mixer operable to mix the proppant material and the first fluid to form a second fluid having a proppant material concentration; and operate the controller to initiate operation of the system to form A substantially continuous supply of the second fluid having a concentration of proppant material.

Operating the controller to initiate operation of the system may cause the controller to control the rate at which the metering device meters the hydratable material into the first mixer based on the hydratable material concentration set point.

Operating the controller to initiate operation of the system may cause the controller to control the rate at which the metering device meters proppant material into the second mixer based on the proppant material concentration set point.

The method may further include operating the controller to input a diluted hydratable material concentration set point, wherein operating the controller to initiate operation of the system may cause the controller to control the following rate based on the diluted hydratable material concentration set point: the first flow The control means controls the first flow rate of the first fluid to the second mixer to form the first fluid having a dilute concentration of hydratable material; the second flow control means controls the second flow rate of the diluting fluid which is The fluid is combined with the first fluid prior to being received by the second mixer to form the first fluid having a dilute concentration of hydratable material; or a combination thereof.

The method may further include operating the controller to input a liquid additive concentration set point for the second fluid, wherein operating the controller to initiate operation of the system may cause the controller to control the liquid additive to be added to the first fluid based on the liquid additive concentration set point. and one of the second fluid to form a rate at which the first or second fluid has a liquid additive concentration.

The method may further comprise operating the controller to input a liquid additive concentration set point for the second fluid, wherein operating the controller to initiate operation of the system may cause the controller to control the metering device to meter into the second mixture based on the solid additive concentration set point of solid additive at the rate at which a second fluid having a solid additive concentration is formed.

The system may further include a plurality of flow control devices in communication with the controller and a plurality of metering devices in communication with the controller, wherein operating the controller to initiate operation of the system may cause the controller to base the hydration material concentration set point and the proppant material At least one of concentration set point control: a plurality of flow control devices to control flow of the hydration fluid, the first fluid, and the second fluid; and controlling based on at least one of a hydration material concentration set point and a proppant material concentration set point Multiple metering devices are used to meter hydratable material and proppant material. The system may further include a plurality of sensors in communication with the controller and operable to generate information about the flow rates of the hydration fluid, the hydratable material, the first fluid, the proppant material, and the second fluid, and the controller Operable to control a plurality of flow control devices and a plurality of metering devices based on the generated information.

The present disclosure also describes an apparatus comprising: a mobility system comprising: a frame; a plurality of wheels operably connected to the frame and supporting the frame on the ground; a first mixer connected to the frame and operable to receive and mix a hydratable material and a hydration fluid to form a first fluid; a container connected to the frame and comprising a substantially continuous passageway spanned by the second fluid for a period of time sufficient to allow the second fluid to increasing the viscosity to a predetermined level, wherein the second fluid comprises the first fluid; and a second mixer coupled to the frame and operable to mix the particulate material with the third fluid to form a fourth fluid for use in fracturing operations in the subterranean formation , wherein the third fluid comprises the second fluid discharged from the container.

The foregoing summary outlines features of several implementations so that those of ordinary skill in the art may better understand aspects of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they may readily use this disclosure as a basis for designing or modifying other processes and structures for carrying out the same function and/or achieving the same benefits of the implementations described herein. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. .

The Abstract is provided at the end of the disclosure to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure in compliance with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Claims (20)

1. A device comprising: Mixed unit, which includes: frame; rheology control section, which includes: means for receiving a first material from a first transfer mechanism; decentralized and/or hybrid systems connected to said framework; and a first metering system operable to meter said first material from said first material receiving member to said dispersing and/or mixing system, wherein said dispersing and/or mixing system is operable to disperse and/or mix said metered first material and fluid to form a first fluid mixture; and Bulk solids blended fraction comprising: means for receiving a second material from a second transfer mechanism, wherein the second material is a bulky solid material; a solid blending system attached to the frame; and a second metering system operable to meter the second material from the second material receiving member to the solids blending system, wherein the solids blending system is operable to add the metered second material blended with the first fluid mixture to form a second fluid mixture. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first material is a hydratable material, said fluid is a hydrating fluid, and said dispersion and/or mixing system comprises a first mixer, said first mixer connected to the frame and operable to receive and mix the hydratable material and the hydration fluid to form the first fluid mixture. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the hydratable material consists essentially of guar gum, the hydration fluid consists essentially of water, and the first fluid mixture consists essentially of a gel. 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the rheology control portion further comprises a hydration system operable to receive and hydrate the first fluid mixture, wherein at least a portion of the hydration system is compatible with the frame connections. 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the hydration system comprises a container connected to the frame and comprising a flow path traversed by the first fluid mixture for a period of time sufficient to allow the viscosity of the first fluid mixture to increase to a predetermined level. 6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bulky solid material is a particulate material, and wherein the solid blending system includes a second mixer connected to the frame and operable to receive and mix the particulate material and the first fluid mixture to form the second fluid mixture. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the particulate material consists essentially of a proppant material, and wherein the second fluid mixture consists essentially of a subterranean formation fracturing fluid. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing unit further comprises a plurality of wheels operatively connected to the frame and supporting the frame on the ground. 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mixing unit further comprises a surge tank connected to the frame and fluidly coupled to the dispersion and/or mixing system for blending with the solids Between systems, wherein the surge tank receives the first fluid mixture discharged from the rheology control section, and wherein the solids blending system receives the first fluid mixture from the surge tank. 10. A method comprising: Each of the plurality of first transfer mechanisms is operated to transfer a corresponding material of a plurality of materials received from a corresponding delivery vehicle of the plurality of delivery vehicles to a corresponding container of the plurality of containers, wherein the plurality of materials each of which has a different composition; operating each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms to transfer a corresponding material of the plurality of materials from a corresponding container of the plurality of containers to the mixing unit; and The mixing unit is operative to at least partially form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid with each of the plurality of materials received from each of the plurality of second transfer mechanisms. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of second delivery mechanisms includes a hydratable material delivery mechanism and a proppant material delivery mechanism, and wherein the mixing unit is operated to at least partially form the subterranean formation fracturing Fluids include: operating a first mixer of the mixing unit to form a mixture comprising the hydratable material received from the hydratable material delivery mechanism, wherein the first mixer is coupled to the frame; and A second mixer of the mixing unit is operated to combine the mixture with proppant material received from the proppant material delivery mechanism, wherein the second mixer is coupled to the frame. 12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the second mixer receives the mixture discharged by the first mixer via a hydration system fluidly connected between the first and second mixers , wherein the hydration system is connected to the frame. 13. The method of claim 10, further comprising: prior to operating the first and second transfer mechanisms and the mixing unit: establishing centralized power for driving said first and second transfer mechanisms and said mixing unit; and activating a centralized controller operable to distribute power and control the first and second delivery mechanisms and the mixing unit, wherein operating the first and second delivery mechanisms and the mixing unit includes operating the centralized control device. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the centralized controller is part of the mixing unit and is connected to the frame. 15. A device comprising: A wellsite system for use in subterranean fracturing operations, wherein the wellsite system comprises: a mobile base frame comprising an open area extending at least partially therethrough; a plurality of containers disposed above the open area on the mobile frame, wherein the containers are configured to contain bulky solid material; and a mixing unit comprising first and second mixers, wherein the mixing unit is operable to move within the open area such that within the open area the receiving member of the first mixer is in contact with the bulk A gravity-fed discharge of solid material from at least one of the vessels is aligned. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the wellsite system further comprises a mobile delivery system operable to: aligning with the mobile pedestal and the container; receiving the bulk solid material from a delivery vehicle positioned above a substantially horizontal portion of the mobile transfer system; and The received bulk solid material is passed into an inlet on the top of the vessel. 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the container is a first container, the bulky solid material is a first material, the delivery vehicle is a first delivery vehicle, and the wellsite system is further include: a plurality of first transfer mechanisms each operable to transfer a corresponding material of the plurality of second materials from a corresponding delivery vehicle of the plurality of second delivery vehicles to a corresponding container of the plurality of second containers ;and a plurality of second transfer mechanisms each operable to transfer a corresponding one of the second materials from a corresponding one of the second containers to the mixing unit, wherein the mixing unit is operable to mix the first material received from the first container and the second material received from each of the second delivery mechanisms to form a subterranean formation fracturing fluid. 18. A method comprising: deploying a mobile pedestal at the wellsite, wherein the mobile pedestal includes an open area extending at least partially therethrough; mounting a plurality of containers on the mobile base frame, wherein the containers are configured to hold bulky solid materials; and transporting a mixing unit into the open area such that a material receiving member of the mixing unit is aligned with gravity-fed discharge of the bulky solid material from at least one of the containers, wherein the mixing unit comprises: a frame a first mixer connected to the frame; and a second mixer connected to the frame and in fluid communication with the first mixer, and wherein the material receiving member receives the bulk solid material and directing the gravity-fed discharge to at least one of the first and second mixers. 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising deploying a mobile delivery system in alignment relative to the mobile pedestal and the container. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: connecting a centralized power source to the mixing unit and the mobile delivery system; connecting other material transfer devices to the mixing unit; and The buffer material container is loaded via operation of the other material transfer means.

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