Patent Publication Number: US-11391488-B2

Title: Apparatuses and methods for supplying natural gas to a frac water heater

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/834,783 filed Jun. 13, 2013, and Canadian patent application serial no. 2,851,304 filed May 12, 2014, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure is related to the field of apparatuses and methods for heating a fluid, in particular, apparatuses and methods for heating well fracturing fluid using dried or conditioned natural gas supplied to a frac water-heater&#39;s burner system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known to use tank containments and heating equipment to store, heat, and separate fluids, such as hydraulic well fracturing (fracing) fluid, water, and others, to be used for well fracturing applications. This storage and heating is often done on a lease site, although the tank containments and heating equipment can be portable. 
     Existing frac water heating units consume large amounts of fuel (for example, propane or diesel) utilized in the burner system to heat large amounts of water for the use in the well hydraulic fracturing process. This in turn, can incur great expense to the oil and gas companies in the purchase and cartage of the diesel and propane fuel source in the heating process. In addition, this also results in an undesired, increased, carbon footprint. 
     Super Heaters™ and hot oil units, as are known in the art, can cost producers $15,000 to $20,000 per day or more in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and/or diesel consumption and cartage costs. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide apparatuses and methods for heating an on-site fluid that can overcome the short-comings of the prior art, in particular to ameliorate the need to purchase and transport large amounts of propane or diesel used to supply fuel to the frac water heating units and to save oil and gas companies up to $20,000 per day. 
     SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses and methods for heating well fracturing fluid using natural gas supplied to a frac water heater are provided. In some embodiments, portable separators can be tied into an existing, on-site, natural gas source and supply the heating unit&#39;s burner system with the producer&#39;s own produced natural gas (for example, sweet fuel gas). By using on-site sweet fuel gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or diesel consumption and associated cartage costs can be reduced or eliminated. As such, the apparatuses and methods can also reduce the associated carbon footprint on the environment. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods can comprise a drying element to dry or condition the gas prior to use. 
     The designed apparatuses and methods can allow the oil and gas company to reduce or eliminate the need to incur the expenses associated with purchase and cartage of vast amounts of propane and diesel by using their own produced natural gas to supply the frac water heating unit&#39;s burner system. As such, an oil and gas company can significantly reduce the daily costs associated with heating well fracturing fluid as well as reduce their carbon footprint on the environment. 
     In some embodiments, the natural gas supply can be “dry” or conditioned after running through a drying or conditioning process prior to be being used as a fuel source in the frac water heating unit&#39;s burner system for a more cost effective fuel source. 
     It can be noted that the term fluid could be any fluid (liquid, gas, or otherwise) requiring heating or stabilization of temperature, for example but not limited to, water, air, liquid solutions, fracing fluid, oil, water/oil emulsions, etc., and in some cases, can be a sludge, slush, slurry, or composite of solid/liquid/gas. 
     It can be noted that the terms line(s) or piping as used throughout can mean a fluid connection and can encompass any means, as understood by one skilled in the art, which can provide a fluid connection as the context requires. 
     It can be noted that the terms processing or processed as used throughout can mean separating, drying, conditioning or separated, dried/dry, conditioned and can encompass any means, as understood by one skilled in the art, which can provide the processing as the context requires. 
     Broadly stated, in some embodiments, an apparatus is provided for heating a stored on-site fluid, comprising an inlet to receive natural gas from an on-site source and to provide the natural gas to a separator, a separator to process the natural gas, the separator in-line with the inlet, and an outlet from the separator to supply the processed gas from the separator to a burner. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a dryer configured to dry the natural gas prior to supplying the processed gas to the burner. In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a conditioner configured to condition the natural gas prior to supplying the processed gas to the burner. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus can further be configured to be mobile. In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a means for towing the apparatus. 
     In some embodiments, the separator can be a separator package. In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise a base to support the separator. In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise an enclosure to enclose the separator. In some embodiments, the enclosure can be insulated. In some embodiments, the enclosure can define an entry way for an operator to access the separator. In some embodiments, the enclosure can define at least one window for an operator to view the separator. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus can further comprise an electronics system connection in communication with the separator, the electronics system configured to operate the separator. In some embodiments the electronics system can be selected from the group consisting of a knowledge box, laptop, tablet, smart phone, and measuring devices. 
     Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a method is provided for heating a stored on-site fluid, the method comprising: providing natural gas from an on-site source to a burner; igniting the burner; fueling the burner with the natural gas to produce heat; and using the produced heat to heat the stored on-site fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the method can further comprise the step of separating the natural gas prior to providing it to the burner. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise the step of drying the natural gas prior to supplying it to the burner. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise the step of conditioning the natural gas prior to supplying it to the burner. 
     In some embodiments, the method can comprise wherein the separating and the drying steps are accomplished by an apparatus for heating a stored on-site fluid, comprising an inlet to receive natural gas from an on-site source and to provide the natural gas to a separator, a separator to process the natural gas, the separator in-line with the inlet, and an outlet from the separator to supply the processed gas from the separator to a burner. 
     In some embodiments, the method can further comprise the step of returning liquids separated from the natural gas during the separation step to a flow line. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise the step of heating the stored on-site fluid to a predetermined temperature. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise the step of maintaining the temperature of the stored on-site fluid at a predetermined temperature. 
     Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a heating system is provided for heating a stored on-site fluid, the system comprising: an apparatus for heating a stored on-site fluid, comprising an inlet to receive natural gas from an on-site source and to provide the natural gas to a separator, a separator to process the natural gas, the separator in-line with the inlet, and an outlet from the separator to supply the processed gas from the separator to a burner, the apparatus being in-line with an on-site natural gas source and a burner for heating the stored on-site fluid. 
     In some embodiments, the system can further comprise a fluid storage tank or containment for storing the stored on-site fluid, the fluid storage tank attached to a frac water heater through lines or hoses. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to be fluidly continuous and uninterrupted. 
     Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a use of a separator package is provided for processing natural gas from an on-site source and supplying it to a frac water heater burner system to heat a stored on-site fluid. 
     Broadly stated, in some embodiments, a use of a separator package is provided for processing natural gas from an on-site source and supplying it to a burner system of a hydraulic fracture fluid heater. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a top plan view of depicting an embodiment of a system and apparatus for heating a fluid. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a close-up, cut-away, top plan view depicting the embodiment of an apparatus from  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an external perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for supplying dried or conditioned natural gas to an apparatus for heating a fluid. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cut away perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for supplying dried or conditioned natural gas to an apparatus for heating a fluid. 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for supplying dried or conditioned natural gas to an apparatus for heating a fluid. 
         FIG. 7  is a close-up perspective view of an embodiment of an apparatus for supplying dried or conditioned natural gas to an apparatus for heating a fluid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Apparatuses and methods for heating well fracturing fluid using natural gas supplied to a frac water heater are provided. In some embodiments, portable separators can be tied into an existing, on-site, natural gas source and supply the heating unit&#39;s burner system with the producer&#39;s own produced natural gas (for example, sweet fuel gas). By using on-site sweet fuel gas, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or diesel consumption and associated cartage costs can be reduced or eliminated. As such, the apparatuses and methods can also reduce the associated carbon footprint on the environment. In some embodiments, the apparatuses and methods can comprise a drying element to dry or condition the gas prior to use. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus can comprise (or be retrofit to, in some cases) mobile one ton towable, portable separator packages (mobile separator units), significantly reducing costs associated with heating well fracturing fluids. In some embodiments, the separator unit can be a one ton towable, bumper pull, tandem axle, inline portable test separator. In some embodiments, mobile separator units can be placed on skids or have skids attached in order to facilitate transportation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a heating apparatus  18  is shown. One skilled in the art may refer to heating apparatus  18  as a frac water heater or hot oiler fuel supply unit, a frac water heater or hot oiler natural gas skid, a frac water heater fuel supply unit, a frac water heater fuel supply skid, a portable frac water heater supply unit, a mobile frac water heater natural gas unit, and/or a Super Heater™. An apparatus  10  for supplying dried or conditioned natural gas to heating apparatus  18  is provided. One skilled in the art may refer to apparatus  10  as a natural gas supply unit or skid, a well fracturing support unit or skid, an eco-friendly well fracturing support, and/or a frac water heater support unit. 
     An on-site gas source  12 , such as a well, wellhead, or pipeline can provide gas through a first line  14  to a separator package  16 . In some embodiments, the gas can be dried or conditioned before it is supplied to a frac water heater or heater unit burner  18  (such as a Super Heater™ unit burner) through second flow line  20  to be burned to heat fracing fluid  22  in storage tanks or containment to store fluid. In some embodiments, liquids captured in the system can be returned to the main flow line by a third flow line  24 . Fluids and gas can be provide, supplied, transported, etc. by hoses, lines, piping, or otherwise, as known in the art and appropriate for the application. 
     In some embodiments, second flow line  20  can be a two inch diameter hose reel supply line and/or two inch diameter steel line and can be referred to as a natural gas carrier, a natural gas soft or hard line, a natural gas supply line/leg, a natural gas surface line, and/or a dry gas line. 
     In some embodiments, the system can be continuous and uninterrupted from on-site natural gas source  12  to fracing fluid  22 , meaning that no additional modules, units, or functions are in-line with the system or otherwise performed aside from those provided by the system. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a close-up plan view is shown, depicting the embodiment of an apparatus  10  from the system of  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can comprise a natural gas supply inlet  26  to bring in natural gas from first flow line  14  and an outlet  28  to return liquids captured in the system to the main flow line by third flow line  24 . Dry/conditioned gas outlet can provide dried or conditioned natural gas from apparatus  10  through second flow line  20  to burner  18 . Separator  16  can be located within apparatus  10  and can separate incoming natural gas. In some embodiments, the separated natural gas can also be processed by natural gas drying or conditioning system  32 . A combined fluid drain line  52  can carry combined fluids from the three drain lines: manual drain  54 , water drain  56 , and condensate drain  58 , to the outlet  28 . 
     In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can be enclosed/encased by enclosure  34  which can be insulated, for example by insulted walls and/or floors. Enclosure  34  can include window(s)  36  and door(s)  38  for an operator to use. Apparatus  10  can also include storage capabilities both inside and outside of enclosure  24 , for example high pressure hose storage  40  and/or pipe rack  42 . Apparatus  10  can also include hose reels  60  and LPG tank(s)  61  (for example, 100 #LPG tank(s)) tied into fuel gas to supply LPG fuel gas if required. 
     In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can be configured to be mobile, portable, and/or skid mounted and can include a towing means such that apparatus  10  can be towed by a motor vehicle and moved to a predetermined location. 
     In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also comprise an operator office  46  with a work ledge  48  and a knowledge box  50  for setting/monitoring/calibrating/maintaining the function of apparatus  10 . 
     In some embodiments, dimensions of apparatus  10  can be: building length 10′×width 8′6″×overall length including reach 19′, although it would be understood that the dimensions can be varied without departing from the function of the apparatus and method. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an embodiment of apparatus  10  is shown. In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also comprise a heater exhaust vent  62  extending out from enclosure  34 . In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also comprise a front entry  64  for an operator to access gas drying or conditioning system  32 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an embodiment of apparatus  10  is shown from the rear. First flow line  14  for providing natural gas to apparatus  10  is shown as connected to inlet  26  to supply raw wet gas from source  12  to apparatus  10  to be processed. Third flow line  24  is shown as connected to outlet  28  to return processed/separated liquids from separator  16  back to the main flow line, or for storage or disposal. In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also comprise a rear entry  66  for an operator to access gas separator  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the internal components of an embodiment of apparatus  10  is shown. A raw product line  68  can deliver raw wet gas from inlet  26  to separator  16  to be separated. As the fluids are being separated, combined fluid drain line  52 , water drain  56 , and outlet  28  can transfer fluids while the separated natural gas can move to dryer/conditioner  32  to be further processed. In some embodiments, a dump valve or drain valve  80  can be used to control drainage. A quaternary outlet  70  can provide the separated natural gas from separator  16  to dryer/conditioner  32  though secondary line  20 , then onto hose reel  60  and ultimately to burner  18  to heat fracing fluid  22 . In some embodiments, secondary line  20  can be a two inch diameter supply line to dryer/conditioner  32  from a three inch diameter vertical gas leg which could also be called a fuel gas leg or fuel gas supply line. 
     In some embodiments, dryer/conditioner  32  can be an eight inch diameter secondary separator/dryer/conditioner and could be vertical or horizontal, in some cases called a fuel gas scrubber, a desiccant dryer, a natural gas dryer, a natural gas separator, and/or a fuel gas separator. 
     In some embodiments, fluid measurement devices  72  can be placed along the lines to measure and/or quantify the fluids within. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the internal components of an embodiment of apparatus  10  are shown in a cut-away manner. In  FIG. 6 , separator  16  is viewed from the rear entry  66 . Natural gas can be processed while fluids are drained away at  56  and  58 . The separated natural gas can then enter quaternary valve  70  and be supplied to dryer/conditioner  32  by secondary line  20  for further processing. In  FIG. 7 , dryer/conditioner  32  is viewed from the front entry  64 . Secondary line  20  can be seen supplying the separated natural gas to dryer/conditioner  32 . After being dried or conditioned in dryer/conditioner  32 , the separated, dried natural gas can then be supplied through dry/conditioned gas outlet  30  to second flow line  20  and downstream applications, for example, supplying dry or conditioned natural gas to a burner system on a frac water heater. 
     In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can comprise additional features. Regarding the exterior, apparatus  10  can include insulated, walls, floor and roof, a smooth exterior finish, spray-on rock guard chip-protection trailer front wall (half way up from floor to wall midpoint). In addition, entries can be lockable and located at rear, passenger or drivers side. At the rear exterior bottom, apparatus  10  can comprise inlet and outlet ports, a bumper mounted drip tray and square tubing provision to mount a 2″ chain vise. 
     In some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also include good/smooth trailer suspension, tandem axle sizing to enable apparatus  10  to accommodate 50% road bans, pipe racks to accommodate 2″×15′ lengths, drivers side fitting/tool boxes with hinged doors, a Catadyne™ 12V hook up provision to power the Catadyne™, for example from a truck/vehicle battery, and/or a flow measurement device, for example a FloBoss™ 104, which can comprise a nine pin connector for connecting to a laptop. 
     Regarding the interior, in some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also include a vertical three-phase separator, for example a low profile separator (ground to top of gas leg  12 ′), a 1″ globe valve separator blow down provision to discharge at roof height passenger side, a 1″ fuel gas tie in downstream of meter run to Big Joe™ regulator and 8″ fuel gas scrubber, secondary LPG fuel gas source from two 100 #LPG tanks tied in to fuel gas system common with meter run fuel gas with accommodating check and isolation valves, LPG fuel gas hose reel provision (tie into secondary F/G source ie. 1000 gal LPG tank on lease site), two 24″×24″ LPG 12V Catadyne™ heaters mounted as close to floor as possible; a natural gas fuel supply  78  from separator package  16  to heaters  76  and pneumatic instruments which can control fluid levels in apparatus  10 ; and/or a knowledge box with storage provision. 
     Regarding the piping, in some embodiments, apparatus  10  can also include certain components and specifications such as sour low temp, sch 80, 600 ANSI, fig 200 or 206 hammer unions, inlet/outlet building exterior 2″ fig 200 or 206 hammer union×3″ conc reducer to 3″ 600 flange to 3″ inlet piping, directive 17 compliant sampling provisions on gas, condensation and water leg; and/or piping mounted well off floor approximately 12″ floor to pipe centre (housekeeping). 
     In operation, natural gas can be supplied by an on-site source  12  and can supply gas as a fuel through a line to be processed, separated, dried and/or conditioned (in some embodiments) before being supplied to a heating unit to be burned by the heating unit&#39;s burner  18  and thereby heating fracing fluid  22  so that it can obtain or maintain an appropriate and/or predetermined temperature for fracing applications, avoiding freezing, and/or mitigating issues from the formation of paraffin by conditioning, softening, or managing formation of paraffin during the well fracturing process. 
     On-site natural gas can be processed by a separator  16  in order to prepare the natural gas for use as a fuel. In some embodiments, the separated natural gas can be dried or conditioned by a dryer/conditioner  32  so that it can be used as a more efficient fuel. As the natural gas is separated and dried or conditioned, the fluids can be drained to be returned to the main line or stored or disposed of. 
     The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments as set forth in the examples herein, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 
     Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein. The terms and expressions used in the above description have been used herein as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that the invention is defined and limited only by the claims that follow. 
     While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes certain embodiments, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the apparatuses and methods may vary considerably in their implementation details, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the above description. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.