US3561210A

US3561210A - Method and apparatus for cooling engine exhaust pipes

Info

Publication number: US3561210A
Application number: US793695*A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ben W Wiseman Jr
Original assignee: BEN W WISEMAN
Current assignee: BEN W WISEMAN
Priority date: 1969-01-24
Filing date: 1969-01-24
Publication date: 1971-02-09
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-09

Abstract

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING EXHAUST PIPES OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES WHEREIN CARBON DIOXIDE, SOTRED IN LIQUID STATE, IS DISPENSED THROUGH A NETWORK OF CONDUITS AND RELEASED IN OR AROUND EACH EXHAUST PIPE TO COOL THE PIPE PREVENTING FIRE WHEN COMBUSTIBLE FLUID COMES INTO CONTACT THEREWITH.

Description

169-45 XR 3,5 1,210 SR X XMFJ"? Feb. 9, 1971 B. w; WISEMAN, JR 3,561,210

I METHOD AND APPARATUST'OR COOLING ENGINE EXHAUST PIPES Filed Jan. 24-. 1969 v i 2 Sheets-Sheet 1,

uyvENToR. Ben W. Wnsemon, Jr.

7 MaM 1971 a. w; WISEMAN, JR 3,561,210 7 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING ENGINE EXHAUST PIPES Filed Jan. 24. 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Ben W. WIsemQn, Jr.

0 .-BY i Maw 1L1 ATTORNEY United States Patent O 3,561,210 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COOLING ENGINE EXHAUST PIPES Ben W. Wiseman, J12, 303 Wall Towers-West, Midland, Tex. 79701 Filed Jan. 24, 1969, Ser. No. 793,695 Int. Cl. A62c 3/00, 35/40 U.S. Cl. 60-31 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for cooling exhaust pipes of internal combustion engines wherein carbon dioxide, stored in liquid state, is dispensed through a network of conduits and released in or around each exhaust pipe to cool the pipe preventing fire when combustible fluid comes into contact therewith.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The production of oil and gas wells is reduced by flow restrictions, caused by an accumulation of matter in the bearing formation and by closure of a fracture through which oil and gas normally flow into the well. The production of the well is increased by removing flow restrictions, reopening closed fractures, and by enlarging drainage patterns.

Numerous techniques are employed to stimulate production. However, a method commonly used consists of pumping fracturing fluid, usually oil, mixed with various chemicals and propping agents down the well and into the formation. The high pressure fracturing fluid is forced through the formation in a direction opposite to that of normal flow of oil and the propping agent, which is normally silica sand, is forced into the fracture and holds the fracture open thereby increasing the normal flow rate of oil and gas from the formation to the well.

Several trucks having large engines, pumps and mixing devices mounted thereon are employed for forcing the fracturing fluid into the well to fracture a formation. Engines are normally run wide open to deliver maximum horsepower to pump the fracturing fluid at very high pressure into the well. Since the engines are running at maximum power, exhaust pipes become very hot and sparks are often blown from the end thereof.

When a line between the pumps and the well breaks, hydraulic forces cause the pipe to swing violently spraying the combustible liquids therein over a large area. When the combustible fluid strikes the hot exhaust pipes of engines used for driving the pumps, a fire is started which will often result in the destruction of equipment costing in excess of one million dollars and greatly endangers the lives of workmen.

A break in the high pressure line usually begins with a small leak which is visibly detectable and then a larger rupture begins to form which ultimately causes the oil to be sprayed upon the engines causing a fire.

Heretofore, no suitable device has been developed to prevent the eventuality of a fire when a line breaks While fracturing operations are being conducted on oil and gas wells.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION I have developed a method and apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipes of internal combustion engines instantaneously when the danger of a leak is first detected, to prevent the ignition of oil and other combustible liquids when it is sprayed thereon.

The method which I have discovered comprises releasing carbon dioxide or other suitable coolant into the exhaust pipe of an engine, or into a manifold around the Patented Feb. 9, 1971 exhaust pipe, causing the pipe to be chilled to a temperature below that required to ignite oil.

The apparatus which I employ to carry out the method consists of a container in which carbon dioxide or other coolant is stored and a network of conduits connecting the container to each exhaust pipe on each engine which is being utilized in the fracturing operation. A valve is positioned to allow the carbon dioxide to be released into the -conduits-when "a leak is first detected in the high pressure oil line and the exhaust pipes are cooled before a major break has time to form in the oil line.

It is therefore a primary object of the invention to provide a method of cooling the exhaust pipe of an engine in a very short period of time. Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of delivering coolant to .the exhaust pipe of the engine in a very short period'of time in suflicient quantities to cool the exhaust pipe.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus which is versatile and readily adaptable to cooling any number of exhaust pipes of any number of engines positioned at varying locations at a work site.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cooling the exhaustpipe of an engine wherein the apparatus may be connected quickly and easily to an exhaust pipe without interfering with the work to be done by the engine. 1. 1

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipe of an engine which is of simple construction requiring minimum maintenance and inspection.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipe of an engine adapted to be readily connectable to the exhaust pipe of an engine regardless of varied designs of different manufacturers of engines.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipe of an engine having a high degree of dependability.

A still further object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cooling the exhaustpipe of an engine which may be manufactured and installed at a reasonable cost making the use thereof economically feasible for use in mobile operations lasting a few hours or a few days and then moved to a different site.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed specification hereinafter following and by referring to the drawing annexed hereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The enclosed drawings of two embodiments of the invention are provided so that the invention may be better and more fully understood, in which:

FIG. I is a plan view showing a schematic layout of apparatus employed in a typical fracturing operation illustrating the relationship of my invention associated therewith;

FIG. II is a simplified diagrammatic view of the network of conduits connected to the exhaust pipes of engines on a typical pump truck;

FIG. III is a partially sectionalized view of a distribution manifold;

FIG. IV is a side elevational view of a conventional exhaust pipe showing a conduit connected thereto for cooling same;

FIG. V is a side elevational view of a conventional exhaust pipe similar to that illustrated in FIG. IV with a modified means for connecting a conduit thereto;

FIG. VI is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line VIVI of FIG. IV; and

FIG. VII is a cross sectional view taken along lines VII-VII of FIG. VI.

Numeral references are employed to indicate the various parts shown in the drawings and like numerals indicate like parts throughout the various figures of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The general layout of a conventional well fracturing operation will first be briefly described as a framework for the description of my invention.

Referring to FIG. I of the drawing, numeral 1 designates a well bore having a suitable control head mounted thereon connected to lines 2a, 2b and 20 through which fracturing fluid is pumped at very high pressures for servicing the well to increase the productivity thereof.

Fracturing fluid, such as oil, is pumped from containers 4 to proportioning units 6 where sand, delivered by dump trucks 8, and other additives are accurately measured and mixed with the fracturing fluid and delivered to pumping units 10. Pumping units 10 are equipped with pumps which discharge fracturing fluid into lines 2a, 2b and 2c. Pumping units 10 may deliver from 40 to 50 barrels per minute and pressures may exceed 20,000 p.s.i. in lines 2a, 2b and 2c.

It should be apparent that the number of proportioning units 6 and pumping units 10 will vary depending upon specific requirements at a particular well. The primary consideration dictating the number of units necessary for a given job is the horsepower of engines needed to achieve the required pressure and flow rate.

Each proportioning unit *6 and pump unit 10 has one or more engines 11 mounted therein for providing the needed horsepower. The engines and pumps are usually mounted upon a truck or trailer making them easily movable from one well side to another. It should be readily apparent that other or additional equipment may be utilized.

As best illustrated in FIGS. I and II of the drawings, my invention embodies apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipes 12 of engines 11.

Container is used as a storage vessel for carbon dioxide or other suitable coolant. Carbon dioxide is sometimes used as a refrigerant because it is readily obtainable, has a low boiling point, and has a high latent heat of vaporization.

The critical temperature (the temperature above which no pressure, no matter how great, can liquefy the gas) of carbon dioxide is '88" Fahrenheit. The critical pressure (the pressure which just sufiices to liquefy the gas at the critical temperature) of carbon dioxide is 1,073 p.s.i. As temperature is reduced the pressure required to maintain the carbon dioxide in the liquid phase is decreased.

Carbon dioxide is in the liquid state when maintained at 0 Fahrenheit under 300 p.s.i. pressure, limits which may be readily achieved in the field. Therefore, under normal operating conditions container 4 should be refrigerated and pressurized to assure that the carbon dioxide is maintained in the liquid phase to facilitate pumping at high velocity, using a conventional pump 19, through conduits or to allow the carbon dioxide to be simply released into the atmosphere adjacent to the exhaust pipes 12 on each engine employed in the fracturing operation.

Conventional refrigeration means 17 and pressurization means 18 are therefore operably connected to container 20 in a manner well known to persons having ordinary skill in the art.

A trunk line 21 consists of

conduits

22, 26 and 32.

One end of conduit 22 communicates with the inside of container 20 and the other end thereof is connected to shutoff valve 24.

Shutofi' valve 24 is of conventional construction having a passageway extending therethrough which may be opened or closed as desired by manipulating suitable closure means therein.

Valve 24 is connected by a conduit 26 to valve 28 which may be opened and closed by suitable actuating means such as solenoid or motor 30. Actuating means 30 is controlled by suitable electrical circuit as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Valve 28 is connected through line 32 to a distributing manifold which has a plurality of valved outlets 36 communicating with the inside thereof being connectable through branch line 38 to individual unit manifolds 40.

Individual unit manifolds may be positioned adjacent each proportioning unit 6 and each pump unit 10 and has valved outlets 42 communicating with the inside thereof connectable through unit lines 44 to each exhaust pipe 12 of each engine.

Conduits

38 and 44 are preferably flexible tubes capable' of carrying a sufiicient quantity of coolant to chill exhaust pipes 12 when valve 28 is opened.

In the particular embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. II of the drawing, distributing manifold 35 is a tubular member 34 having opposite ends 35a and 35b thereof closed defining a closed chamber 34. Valves 36 are positioned in spaced apart relation along the length of the tubular member and may be manually operated individually to open or close outlets 37 communicating with the inside of chamber 34'. A conduit 38 extends between one of the valves 36 and one of the vehicles on the site and is connected to an individual unit manifoldf40. Each individual unit manifold 40 and distribution manifold 35 is of similar construction. Unit manifold 40 has outlets 41 having valves 42 mounted therein.

Preferably each

flexible conduit

38 and 44 has a conventional quick connect coupling 50, see FIGS. IV, VI and VII, whereby a suitable number of conduits may be connected to manifolds 35 and 40 for supplying coolant to each exhaust pipe 12. Couplings may consist of a female member 52 having a J-slot 54 formed therein and being adapted to receive pin 56 on male tubular member 58 when the male member is inserted into female member 52 and rotated. Seals 60 are provided in female member 52 to prevent leakage when pressurized fluid is pumped therethrough.

Couplings 50 may be of the type which automatically opens and closes a valve in

outlets

37 and 41 if the use of such is deemed expedient.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. IV, each exhaust pipe 12 has a male tubular member 58 extending through the wall thereof and welded or otherwise secured thereto connectable through a coupling 52 to flexible conduit 44.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that any number of flexible conduits 38 may be connected to the valved outlets 36 on distribution manifold 35 to accommodate any number of vehicles or power units on the well site. Valved outlets 36 which are not to be used may be closed. For example, if manifold 35 has twentyfive valved outlets 36 and ten vehicles are on the site, fifteen valves would not be used and may therefore be closed.

Any number of flexible conduits 44 may be connected to valves 42 on individual unit manifold 40 depending upon the number of exhaust pipes on a given vehicle. It should be noted the use of

manifolds

35 and 40 facilitates connecting container 20 to each exhaust pipe of a varying number of vehicles by merely attaching conduits 38, manifolds 40 and conduits 44 to accommodate each exhaust pipe 12.

From the foregoing, it should be readily apparent that shutoff valve 24 is normally in the open position. When valve 28 is opened liquid carbon dioxide will be forced through conduits 22, '26, 32, 38 and 44 and will be released into each exhaust pipe 12, causing immediate cooling thereof.

'In a normal operation a vehicle 60 has pressure gauges and other instruments mounted therein for providing instrumentation of the fracturing operation. The instruments are connected through a conduit 62 to the well 1. A supervisor directs his attention to the instruments at all times. It: is desirable that actuating device 30 for controlling valtie 28 be operable from vehicle 60 adjacent the instruments mounted therein.

Motor 30 is energized by a circuit consisting of a line 65 connected to one side of the windings of motor 30 and the other end thereof connected to the negative terminal of battery 66. The positive terminal of battery 66 is connected through line 68 to a contact 70a of switch 70 and the ,other contact 70b is connected through line 72 to the opposite side of the windings of motor 30. It should beradily apparent that when moveable pole 70c of switch-: -7.0 engages contact 70a a circuit is completed, energizing the coil of motor 30, causing valve 28 to be opened to release carbon dioxide into each exhaust pipe 12 of each' engine on the site.

In some 'Qapplications it may be desirable that more than one means be provided for releasing the carbon dioxide from container 20. As best illustrated in 'FIG. '11, a bypass conduit 31 connects conduit 26- with conduit 32 for routing carbon dioxide around valve 28. A manually operated valve 33 is disposed in line 31 and is normally in the closed position. Carbon dioxide may be released into line 32by'opening either valve 28 or valve 33.

DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND EMBODIMENT Referringto FIG. V, if it is not desirable to insert tubular member 58 directly into exhaust pipe '12 of an engine, theg'tubular member 58 may be secured in a pipe 80 which may be positioned around exhaust pipe 12 whereby the carbon dioxide will be released to the inside of pipe 801'for cooling the exhaust pipe without puncturing the said': exhaust pipe.

From the? foregoing, it should be readily apparent that I have developed a method and apparatus for cooling the exhaust' pipe of an engine which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and use and which may be manipulated in a minimum of time.

As soon as a leak is detected in pressure lines 2a, 2b

or 2c, switch 70 may be closed causing valve 28 to be opened, releasing carbon dioxide upon each exhaust pipe 12 to coo'l same below the temperature required to ignite the combustible fracturing fluid if it is sprayed thereon.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipes of engines, a container; carbon dioxide in the container; means communicating with the container to maintain the carbon dioxide under pressure; means communicating with the container to maintain the carbon dioxide under refrigeration; dispensing means for the carbon dioxide adjacent each of said exhaust pipes arranged to release carbon dioxide to ambient atmosphere on the surface of the exhaust pipe; a conduit extending between thecontainer and the dispensing means; and means for controlling the flow of carbon dioxide through the conduit.

2. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of dispensing means, at least one of said dispensing means being connected to each exhaust pipe; and a plurality of conduits extending between the container and the dispensing means.

3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the conduit includes a trunk line having one end thereof communicating with the inside of the container; distributbeing connectable between an outlet in the individual unit manifold and one of the dispensing means.

5. The combination called for in claim '1 wherein the dispensing means comprises an aperture in the wall of the exhaust pipe and means to attach the end of the conduit in communication with the aperture.

6. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the dispensing means comprises a tubular body arranged about the exhaust pipe having an aperture in the wall thereof and means for attaching the end of the conduit in 'communication with the aperture.

7. In apparatus for cooling exhaust pipes of engines, a pressurized container; carbon dioxide in the conainer; a trunk line having one end thereof communicating with the inside of the container; a control valve in the trunk line; actuating means operably connected to the valve; a distributing manifold connected to the other end of the trunk line; distributing outlets in the distributing manifold; a valve in each distributing outlet; branch lines, each having an end connectable to the distributing outlets in the distributing manifold; individual unit manifolds connectable to the other end of each branch line; unit outlets in each individual unit manifold; a valve in each unit outlet of each individual unit manifold; unit lines having ends connectable to each unit outlet of each individual unit manifold; dispensing means connectable to the other end of each unit line, said dispensing means being connectable adjacent to and communicating with an exhaust pipe ofan engine whereby opening the control valve causes carbon dioxide to be dispensed on the surface of the exhaust pipe for cooling same. I

8. The combination called for in claim 7 wherein the actuating means operably connected to the control valve is electrically operated; and with the addition of an electrical circuit connected to the actuating means; a source of electricity in the circuit; and a switch in the ciruit whereby the switch may be manipulated to close the circuit to energize the actuating means to open the control valve.

9. A method of cooling exhaust pipes of engines comprising maintaining a supply of liquid carbon dioxide refrigerating and pressurizing said carbon dioxide; and conveying and dispensing the carbon dioxide to ambient atmosphere adjacent each of said exhaust pipes, whereby expansion of the carbon dioxide absorbs heat to cool the exhaust pipe.

' 10. The method called for in claim 9 wherein the carbon dioxide is released into each exhaust pipe.

11. The method called for in claim 9 wherein the carbon dioxide is released around the outside of each exhaust pipe.

12. In apparatus for cooling the exhaust pipes of engines; a container; coolant in the container; a trunk line having one end thereof communicating with the inside of the container; distributing means on the other end of the trunk line; a plurality of outlets in the distributing means; a valve in each outlet in the distributing means; a plurality of branch lines each being connectable to an outlet in the distributing means; a plurality of individual unit manifolds, each of said manifolds 'having an inlet connectable to an end of one of the branch lines, each of said manifolds having a plurality of outlets; a valve in each outlet in the manifolds; a plurality of unitlines, each line being connectable to an outlet in an individual unit manifold; dispensing means for coolant adjacent each exhaust pipe arranged to dispense coolant on the surface of the exhaust pipe, each of said dispensing means being connectable with a unit line; and means for control ling the flow of coolant to the trunk line.

13. In apparatus for cooling exhaust pipes of engines, a source of coolant; means for refrigerating and pressurizing said coolant; a dishtributing manifold connectable to the source of coolant, said manifold having a plurality of outlets; valve means in each of said outlets; means for controlling flow of coolant to the manifold; dispensing means connectable to the valve in the outlet of the manifold, said dispensing means being arranged to dispense coolant adjacent each of the exhaust pipes for cooling the exhaust pipes.

14. The combination called for in claim 13 wherein the coolant is carbon dioxide.

-15. The combination called for in claim 14 with the addition of means to cool the carbon dioxide to maintain same in liquid state until dispensed from the dispensing means.

16. In apparatus for cooling heated exhaust pipes of engines used in well servicing operations, a source of coolant; means for refrigerating and pressurizing said coolant; an individual coolant dispenser adjacent each of said exhaust pipes equipment in the vicinity of the well being serviced; conduit means connecting each coolant dispenser with the source of coolant; and means to circulate coolant through the conduit means to release coolant onto the exhaust pipes for reducing the temperature thereof to a temperature lower than the temperature of combustion of fluids used in the well servicing operation 17. The combination called for in claim 16 wherein the coolant is carbon dioxide.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,653,604 12/ 1927 Schroder 6031 2,737,249 3/ 1 95 6 Pinkel 60--3l 2,857,005 10/ 11958- Medlock 4 169-2 3,012,613 12/1'961 Diquattro 169-2 3,016,956 1/ 1962 Olandt l691l 2,143,311 1/1939 Geertz 16911 FOREIGN PATENTS 628,738 9/ 1949 Great Britain 16911 DOUGLAS HART, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 6020; 169-2, 11

22 3 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION February 9, 1971 3,561,210 Dated Patent. No.

Inventor-(s) Ben W. Wiseman, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Claim 7, line 2, change "conainer" to read container Claim 9, line 2, after "carbon dioxide" insert a semicolon.

Claim 13, line 3, change "dishtributing" to distributing Claim 16, line 5, cancel "equipment" Signed and sealed this 8th day of June 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR

EDWARD M .F'IE'I'GHER JR Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer