Water solution system

A water system for a hydraulic frac station. The water system includes a water source, a water retention pit, a pump, a riser station, and a water recycling system. The pump is configured to channel water from the retention pit to the riser station and to the hydraulic frac station. The water from the retention pit is channeled to the hydraulic frac station, which in turn is channeled to the recycling system via the riser station.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the oil and gas industry, and more specifically to water pumping systems.

2. Description of Related Art

Floating systems for pumping water in the mining, irrigation, and dredging industries are well known in the art and are effective means for supplying water during operation. InFIG. 1, a side view of a conventional floating water pump system101is shown. During use, the pump system floats in a fluid reservoir103and transfers the water to one or more systems or devices used during operation. It will be appreciated that reservoir103may be either natural or man-made. In the exemplary embodiment, the system101includes a pump102configured to channel fluid from reservoir103through a hose (not shown) to one or more systems needing the fluid. The pump102is secured to a frame104, which in turn floats on the fluid reservoir via a plurality of floatation devices106. It should be understood that the pump102is configured to be rigidly attached to the frame in the upright position.

InFIG. 2, a side view of the system101is shown secured to the flatbed200of truck202and ready for transport. It should be understood that system101requires the use of heavy duty transport vehicles, for example, a semi-truck. It should be understood that extensive costs and time is exhausted during the preparation and transport of pump system101. As depicted inFIG. 3, a side view of the pump system101is shown being lowered in the fluid reservoir103via a crane107operably associated with the vehicle.

A common disadvantage with conventional floating water pump systems exists. For example, the conventional pump systems are top heavy due to rigidly attached pump relative to the frame. It is also difficult to transport the pump system due to the positioning of the pump relative to the platform. Further, the conventional pump system requires the use of a crane and/or other similar means to lift and lower the pump system in the fluid reservoir. The conventional pumps do not have wheels, thereby greatly reducing the mobility of the pump systems. These and other problems are common with conventional pump systems described above.

Although great strides have been made in the area of floating water pump systems, many shortcomings remain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional systems. Specifically, one of the unique features of the pump system is the use of wheels that allow the pump to easily and readily be transported in the fluid reservoirs. The pump system also includes the features of allowing the pump to pivot relative to the platform, thus increasing the ease of transport and to allows the pump to be used in shallower fluid reservoirs than conventional pump systems. The pump system is configured to lock in a relatively horizontal position during transport, while the legs are configured to retract, which in turn reduces the systems vertical footprint and lowers its center of mass. It should be understood that a decreased vertical footprint facilitates transportation efforts and enables the system to function in shallower bodies of water. Also, to facilitate installation efforts, the legs can be locked into an extended position and the system rolled into a pumping site. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,FIG. 4depicts a side view of the pump system201in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that the system201overcomes at least one of the above-listed problems commonly associated with floating water pump systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system201preferably includes one or more of a motor and pump assembly203suspended over a fluid reservoir205by a barge207. In the preferred embodiment the motor and pump assembly203is pivotally attached to the barge frame207via a pivot joint209. The barge frame207also includes a wheel housing211configured to receive a wheel post213. The wheel housing211is rigidly attached to the barge frame207, which in the preferred embodiment, includes four wheel housings along with associated wheels. The barge frame207is configured to secure to one or more floatation devices217configured to float system201. A plurality of wheels214are attached to each post213and provide means to transport pump system201in the reservoir in addition to providing stability during flotation.

As depicted inFIGS. 5 and 6, the wheels are shown as beneficial features of the pump system201. Specifically, the retractable posts213of the wheels allow the pump system201to easily be stored on a utility trailer during transport in the retracted position, while also allowing the pump system to be rolled to the fluid reservoir in the extended position.

In one contemplated method of use, the pivotally attached motor and pump assembly203is locked in a more horizontal position and the wheel posts213are in a retracted position collapsed state221. This feature provides significant advantages, namely, the center of mass of system201is lowered and its vertical footprint is decreased. It will be appreciated that a decreased center of mass and vertical footprint facilitates transportation via a truck223and trailer225. It will also be appreciated that a lower vertical footprint enables the pump assembly203to function at shallower depths.

In a second contemplated method of use, the pivotally attached motor and pump assembly203is locked in a more horizontal position219and the wheel posts213are in an extended state. This feature provides significant advantages, namely, increasing the bottom clearance of system201. It will be appreciated that an increased bottom clearance facilitates the deployment of system201as it is rolled from a trailer225into a body of water205. These features are illustrated inFIGS. 4-6of the present application.

Although only the above features are shown, it will be appreciated that more or less features are also contemplated in alternative embodiments. It will also be appreciated that alternate configurations to accommodate heavy or uniquely shaped equipment are contemplated in alternative embodiments.

FIG. 7Ashows a side view of system201in a fully extended position. As discussed, the motor and pump assembly301is pivotally attached303to a barge305with a frame307that carries collapsible wheel posts309, a float containment frame311, and one or more floats313.FIG. 7Bshows a side view of system201in a fully collapsed position.

FIG. 8Ashows a back view of system201in a fully collapsed position. As discussed, the barge401includes a frame403that carries the motor and pump assembly405, collapsible wheel posts407, a float containment frame409, and one or more floats411.FIG. 8Bshows a back view of system201in a fully extended position. The frame403and collapsible wheel posts407and also carry a locking mechanism413and catch415such that the wheel posts407automatically extend to the catch415when system201is placed in a body of water. It should be appreciated that an automatically extending wheel post provides an advantage when deploying/installing the system201.

FIG. 9shows a back view of system201. As discussed, system201includes a motor and pump assembly501pivotally attached503to a barge505with a frame507that carries the collapsible wheel posts509, a float containment frame511, and one or more floats513.

A unique feature and advantage of the present application is the ability to change and lock the angle at which the motor and pump assembly301is carried by the barge305. This advantage facilitates transportation, deployment/installation, and maintenance

Another unique feature and advantage of the present application is the ability to extend or reduce the height of system201by extending or collapsing the wheel posts309.

Referring now toFIGS. 10A and 10Bin the drawings, a simplified flowchart of the preferred water solution system is shown. It will be appreciate that the features discussed above with reference to pump system201are hereby incorporated in the system1001discussed herein. It will be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of system1001is the ability to reclaim and reuse water from a frac site. It should be understood that a frac well could use up to 100,000 barrels of water during operation. In lieu of disposing of the used water, the system1001of the present application is configured to reclaim and reuse the water. These features are discussed below and shown in the accompanying drawings.

One of the unique features of system1001is the method of obtaining the water. In one embodiment, the system1001could obtain the water from a conventional means, such as, a water well, river, pond, the frac pit, and/or other suitable sources. It will be appreciated that system1001could also obtain the water from unconventional sources such as wastewater from paper mills, chemical plants, flowback from the oil and gas field, and other similar unconventional water reservoirs.

As will be discussed more fully below, the system1001includes a recycling feature, wherein the water from the conventional and unconventional water reservoirs are treated with chemical for repurposing the water; taking the water from a class 2 to a class 1, thereby maintaining the integrity of the brackish water already in the frac pits. The treatment process also includes skimming the oils from the treated water, which can thereafter be used to pay for the recycling process.

As depicted inFIG. 10A, system1001utilizes three or more deep water wells1003,1005,1007operably associated with submersible pumps and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs). Although shown with three water wells, it will be appreciated that the features discussed herein could be used with more or less water wells or no water wells at all. In the contemplated embodiment, the three water wells1003,1005,1007depicted could be a single water well.

As will be discussed below, the pumps and VFDs associated with the water wells1003,1005, and1007allow the user to manipulate the water flow throughout the system, which in turn provides the desired flowrate of water to the frac pit and/or other locations. Additional VFDs are operably associated with the barge pumps, e.g., system201, which preform substantially the same feature of providing a desired water flow rate.

As shown, the water from wells1003,1005, and1007are received through a manifold A operably associated with a multiport riser station1013(see, e.g.,FIG. 15) in fluid communication with a central conduit1015. The water from deep water wells1003,1007are pumped directly to respective retention pits1009,1011via a manifold A. A third retention pit1025is in fluid communication with the hydraulic frac station1021and riser station1013. A transfer pump1019is used to drive the water from well1005to the hydraulic frac station1021.

It will be appreciated that the pump system201discussed above can be operably associated with each retention pit1009,1025,1011to transfer water to the riser station1013. Although shown as three separate retention pits, it will be appreciated that a single retention pit could be used in one of the preferred embodiments.

One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the ability to reclaim and reuse the water from the hydraulic frac station1021. This feature is achieved through a recycling center1027, wherein water from the hydraulic frac station1021is processed. The process includes separating the water from solid waste, skimming the oil from the water, and treating the water with chemicals. The recyclable grade 1 water is then reused by channeling the recyclable grade water to the retention pit1011, which in turn is transferred to manifold B of the riser station1013.

The recycling features of center1027provides significant advantages, namely, reducing the amount of water needed to perform the frac operation, which in turn reduces the environmental impact and reduces costs.

It will be appreciate that the features of system1001could be used on various types of fluid systems and should not be limited to mining, irrigation, and dredging industries. For example, the process discussed above could be operably associated with fluid systems for municipalities. The pumps discussed herein should not be narrowed tailored to one type of pump, but it is contemplated using various types in the preferred and alternative embodiments.

InFIGS. 11, 12A, and 12B, a leg locking device1101is depicted. In the contemplated embodiment, the locking device1101is configured to secure the leg1105in a fixed position relative to the frame via a housing1103. Housing1103includes an opening1107operably associated with a lock1109having a lever1113and a locking mechanism1111configured to extend through opening1107. The locking mechanism1111is configured to engage with an indentation1115of leg1105. A ledge1117is also provided and engages with a slot1201. During use, the lock1109is configured to pivot in direction D2and the leg is configured to slide in direction D3.

InFIGS. 13 and 14, the pump locking device1301is shown operably associated with pump1303. Device1301includes a rod1303configured to engage with the pump and a member1305which attaches to the frame1307. The device1303includes a second member1309having a plurality of holes1401configured to engage with a pimp1311. The locking device allows pivoting movement in direction D4.

Referring now toFIGS. 15-17in the drawings, various views of the riser station1013is shown operably associated with central conduit1015, which includes a center conduit section1503joined between an input section1505and an output section1507. In the contemplated embodiment, conduit section1505could be in fluid communication with one or more barge pumps201discussed above.

The station1013is further provided with a plurality of manifolds in fluid communication with central section1503, specifically, manifold1509,1511,1513, and1515. The manifolds are adapted for use with conduits in fluid communication with the recycling center, frac pit, wells, and other operably associated water sources used to perform the frac operation. As depicted, each manifold is supported by a pillar1517configured to secure the station1013in a fixed position. Also, it will be appreciated that sections1505and1507are preferably bent to accommodate the elevated surface1601that the station1013rests thereon.

InFIG. 18, a simplified schematic of a control system1801is shown. One of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the ability to control the movement and quantity of water flowing through system1501via a control system1801.

In the contemplated embodiment, a user1803is capable of controlling the flow of water through a conduit1805via a remote computer1807. In one embodiment, computer1807is a smart phone; however, other remote devices, e.g., a tablet, laptop, and the like, could be used in alternative embodiments.

During use, the user1803manipulates computer1807, which in turn wirelessly communicates with a receiver1809operably associated with one or more VFD controls1813via web1811and/or other wireless communication mediums. Although contemplated with cellular wireless data transmission, it will be appreciated that Bluetooth technology, WiFi, and/or other suitable means could be used in lieu of cellular communications.

Thus, system1801provides the user with an automated custom flow rate of the water through system1501with manipulation of the VFDs and pumps associated with system1501.

It should be understood that the wheels facilitate both transportation and deployment. This feature is achieved by the capability of the system to roll off a utility trailer. Just as relevant are the wheels other purposes such as keeping the pump off of the bottom of the water reservoir to prevent the pump from sucking sediment. Thus, the wheels provide a necessary height relative to the floor of the fluid reservoir to prevent the unwanted suction of sediment. Further, the wheels act as a cushion to prevent the pump from tearing a poly liner on the bottom of a manmade reservoir.

Also, it should be understood that the pump pivot and locking mount apparatus allows the pump assembly to pivot and lock at various angles during pump operation to accommodate water depths. Moreover, the discharge head is of a custom designed from steel pipe with the pivot pins welded thereto in one contemplated embodiment.