Patent Publication Number: US-2023160525-A1

Title: Grease trap system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/283,098, filed on Nov. 24, 2021, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure is generally directed to oil and gas field technologies. More specifically, this disclosure is directed to an improved grease trap system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In the oil and gas industry, massive plunger pumps are often used to pump fracturing or “frac” fluid down a well. Multiple plunger pumps (e.g., four to six) can be loaded onto a single pumping unit (which can be upwards of 15 tons) to pump the frac fluid down the well. To allow such plunger pumps to operate effectively, the plunger pumps are lubed with an industrial, high heat resistant grease. As this grease is spent, viscosity is degraded and the spent frac grease is caught in grease traps under the plunger pumps. 
     These grease traps have caused a lot of problems. The conventional method of cleaning out such traps involves a multi-hour process that requires a dismounting of the plunger pumps, a removal of the trap, and shoveling out of the grease. The removal of the trap, itself often involves welding operation—for both removal and reinsertion of the trap. Because of the effort involved, many avoid cleaning out the traps—allowing them to overfill or remain at a state of near full. The traps (overfilled or closed to being full) spill out everywhere—on the ground, on the tires for the units, and on other equipment in the pumping units. These spills lead to fines by the department of transportation and conflicts between a frac fluid unit operator and a drilling operator amongst allegation of contaminating a site. They also are a safety hazard as the grease can get on breaks and inhibit ability of a frac truck to stop. 
     Also, in in addition to weakening the braking power, grease on the brakes has also started fires. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a grease trap pumping application has been developed that does not utilize any moving parts between an input and output of the pump. 
     A grease trap system has been disclosed that facilitates a collection and removal of the spent grease from a machine. The grease trap system includes a collector having a bin and an outlet conduit. The bin defines a chamber to receive the spent grease from the machine and includes a front end, a rear end, and a front wall arranged at the front end of the bin. The bin also includes a base extending obliquely and rearwardly from the front wall to the rear end. The outlet conduit extends outwardly from the front wall to facilitate a removal of the spent grease from the bin. 
     A grease trap system has been disclosed that facilitates a collection and removal of the spent grease from a machine. The grease trap system includes a collector and a bag. The collector has a bin defining a chamber to receive the spent grease from the machine. The bin includes a front end, a rear end, and a front wall arranged at the front end of the bin. The bin also includes a base extending obliquely and rearwardly from the front wall to the rear end. The collector also includes an outlet conduit extending outwardly from the front wall to facilitate a removal of the spent grease from the bin. Moreover, the bag adapted to be removably engaged with the collector to receive and collect the spent grease from the collector through the outlet conduit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG.  1    show a grease trap system coupled to machine, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    show a side perspective view of a collector of the grease trap system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    shows a top perspective view of the collector of  FIG.  2   , according to an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    shows a side perspective view of a bag of the grease trap system, according to an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  5    shows a top portion of the bag of  FIG.  4   , according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise expressly stated in the drawings, the sizes, positions, etc., of components, features, elements, etc., as well as any distances therebetween, are not necessarily to scale, and may be disproportionate and/or exaggerated for clarity. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be recognized that the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Unless otherwise specified, a range of values, when recited, includes both the upper and lower limits of the range, as well as any sub-ranges therebetween. Unless indicated otherwise, terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, one element could be termed a “first element” and similarly, another element could be termed a “second element,” or vice versa. The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described. 
     Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “about,” “thereabout,” “substantially,” etc., mean that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “right,” left,” “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element&#39;s or feature&#39;s relationship to another element or feature, as illustrated in the drawings. It should be recognized that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if an object in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the term “below” can, for example, encompass both an orientation of above and below. An object may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated  90  degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly. 
     Unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be direct or indirect. Similarly, unless clearly indicated otherwise, all connections and all operative connections may be rigid or non-rigid. 
     Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thus, the same or similar numbers may be described with reference to other drawings even if they are neither mentioned nor described in the corresponding drawing. Also, even elements that are not denoted by reference numbers may be described with reference to other drawings. 
     Many different forms and embodiments are possible without deviating from the spirit and teachings of this disclosure and so this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. 
     Additionally, it should be understood that while certain advantages may be described with reference to certain embodiments, other embodiments may have some or none of such advantages. 
     The FIGURES described below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure invention may be implemented in any type of suitably arranged device or system. Additionally, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
     It will be understood that well known processes and components have not been described in detail and have been omitted for brevity. Although specific steps, structures and materials may have been described, the present disclosure may not be limited to these specifics, and others may be substituted as it is well understood by those skilled in the art, and various steps may not necessarily be performed in the sequences shown. 
     Additionally, although described in the context of oil and gas applications, other industrial processes can avail from the teachings of this disclosure. 
     In the oil and gas industry, massive plunger pumps are often used to pump fracturing or “frac” fluid down a well. Multiple plunger pumps (e.g., four to six) can be loaded onto a single pumping unit (which can be upwards of 15 tons) to pump the frac fluid down the well. To allow such plunger pumps to operate effectively, the plunger pumps are lubed with an industrial, high heat resistant grease. As this grease is spent, viscosity is degraded and the spent frac grease is caught in grease traps under the plunger pumps. 
     These grease traps have caused a lot of problems. The conventional method of cleaning out such traps involves a multi-hour process that requires a dismounting of the plunger pumps, a removal of the trap, and shoveling out of the grease. The removal of the trap, itself often involves welding operation—for both removal and reinsertion of the trap. Because of the effort involved, many avoid cleaning out the traps—allowing them to overfill or remain at a state of near full. The traps (overfilled or closed to being full) spill out everywhere—on the ground, on the tires for the units, and on other equipment in the pumping units. These spills lead to fines by the department of transportation and conflicts between a frac fluid unit operator and a drilling operator amongst allegations of contaminating a site. They also are a safety hazard as the grease can get on breaks and inhibit ability of a frac truck to stop. 
     Given these concerns, certain embodiments of the disclosure provide an improved grease trap 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a grease trap system  100  coupled to a machine, for example, a pumping unit  200  is shown. The pumping unit  200  includes at least one pump  202  used in oil and gas application, and may be used to pump fracturing fluid down a well. As shown, the grease trap system  100  includes a collector  102  and a bag  104  removably engaged to the collector  102  to receive the spent grease from the collector  102 . The collector  102  is positioned at a location where the grease is provided for lubricating moving and non-moving components of the pumping unit  200  such that the spent grease falls inside the collector  102  from the pumping unit  200  due to gravity. Accordingly, the collector  102  is arranged underneath such components of the pumping unit  200 , and may be welded/engaged to the pumping unit  200 . The spent grease moves to the bag  104  from the collector  102  under gravity, and the bag  104  is removed from the collector  102  after being full of the spent grease. Accordingly, the grease trap system  100  provides an improved collection and disposal of the spent grease, and enhances the cleaning of the area, and reduces hazards due to the spilling of the spent grease. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the collector  102  includes a bin  110  defining a chamber  112  to receive and collect the spent grease, and having a first end  114  (i.e., front end  114 ), a second end  116  (i.e., rear end  116 ), a base  118  extending from the front end  114  to the rear end  116 , a first wall  120  (i.e., front wall  120 ) arranged at the front end  114  and extending vertically upwardly from the base  118 , and a pair of sidewalls, for example, a first sidewall  122  and a second sidewall  124 , arranged spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other. Each of the sidewalls  122 ,  124  extends vertically upwardly from the base  118 , and also extends from the front wall  120  to the rear end  116  of the bin  110 . As shown, the base  118  extends obliquely and rearwardly from a lower edge  126  of the front wall  120  to the rear end  116 . Accordingly, heights of the sidewalls  122 ,  124  decrease in a direction from the front end  114  to the rear end  116 . Moreover, an upper edge  130  of the bin  110  defines an opening  132  of the chamber  112  to allow a falling of the spent grease inside the chamber  112  from the pumping unit  200 . In an embodiment, the bin  110  includes a rear wall  134  arranged at the rear end  116  of the bin  110  and extending upwardly and vertically from a rear edge  138  of the base  118 . In such a case, the rear edge  138  of the base  118  is arranged proximate to the upper edge  130  of the bin  110  relative to a front edge  140  of the base  118 . Accordingly, an acute angle is defined between the base  118  and the front wall  120 , while an obtuse angle is defined between base  118  and the rear wall  134 . In some embodiments, the rear wall  134  may be omitted. In such cases, the rear edge  138  of the base  118  coincides with the upper edge  130  of the bin  110 . In an assembly of the collector  102  with the pumping unit  200 , the collector  102  is engaged with the pumping unit  200  such that the base  118  is arranged at an inclination relative to a horizontal surface such that the front edge  140  of the base  118  is positioned relatively downwardly to the rear edge  138  of the base  118 . Additionally, the front wall  120  defines an outlet opening  150  (shown in  FIG.  3   ) to enable an exit of the spent grease from the chamber  112 . 
     Moreover, the collector  102  includes an outlet conduit  152  extending outwardly from the front wall  120  and is arranged in communication with the outlet opening  150  to facilitate a flow of the spent grease out of the chamber  112 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the outlet conduit  152  extends obliquely and downwardly from the front wall  120  and defines an outlet port  154  at its free end  156 . The inclination of the outlet conduit  152  relative to the front wall  120  enable a flow of the spent grease from the outlet opening  150  to the outlet port  154  under gravity. Also, in an embodiment, a lowermost portion of the conduit  152  is arranged proximate to the base  118  of the bin  110 . 
     Further, the collector  102  includes at least one hook structure  160  coupled to the outlet conduit  152  to enable an engagement and retention of the bag  104  with the outlet conduit  152  (i.e., the collector  102 ). Although a single hook structure  160  is shown, it may be appreciated that the collector  102  may include two hook structures  160  that are arranged/disposed diametrically opposite to each other and connected to the outlet conduit  152 . In an embodiment, the hook structure  160  may be arranged proximate to the front wall  120  relative to the free end  156  of the conduit  152  and may extend radially outwardly of an outer surface  158  of the conduit  152 . In an embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  2   , one hook structure  160  may be arranged opposite to the lower most portion of the conduit  152  and may extend upwardly towards the upper edge  130  of the bin  110 . As shown, the hook structure  160  may include a first portion  162  extending outwardly and away from the outer surface  158  of the conduit  152 , and a second portion  164  extending from the first portion  162  and away from the first portion  162 . The second portion  164  is bent relative to the first portion  162  and acts as a stopper to prevent the disengagement of the bag  104  from the collector  102 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  and  5   , the bag  104  according to an example embodiment is shown. The bag  104  may include a body  168  having a bottom portion  170  and a top portion  172  defining an inlet opening  174  (shown in  FIG.  5   ) of the bag  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the top portion  172  of the bag  104  includes the shape of a frustrum of a cone; however, other shapes may be used. The bag  104  includes at least one first strap, for example, two first straps  180 ,  182 , that can engage with the hook structure  160  of the collector  102  to engage and retain the bag  104  with the collector  102  (i.e., the conduit  152 ). The first straps  180 ,  182  are arranged opposite to each other and or either side of the inlet opening  174  of the bag  104 . By arranging/positioning the first straps  180 ,  182  on either side of the bag  104 , either side of the bag  104  can be engaged with the hook structure  160  and can be placed on top of the conduit  152 . As shown, each of the first straps  180 ,  182  extends in a horizontal direction (i.e., first direction). The bag  104  also includes at least one second strap, for example, a pair of second straps  184 ,  186  that extend in vertical direction (i.e., second direction) and acts as handles of the bag  104  to position the bag  104  during insertion and removal on to the conduit  152 . The two second straps  184 ,  184  are arranged opposite to each other. For engaging the bag  104  with the collector  102 , a portion of the outlet conduit  152  is inserted inside the bag through the inlet opening  174  and the at least one of the first straps  180 ,  182  is engaged with the at least one hook structure  160 . The first straps  180 ,  182  and the second straps  184 ,  186  are engaged to the top portion  172  of the body  168 , and the ends of each of the second straps  184 ,  186  and each of the first straps  180 ,  182  may be stitched to the body  168 . Also, the first straps  180 ,  182  may be arranged/disposed proximal to an upper edge  190  of the body  168  relative to the second straps  184 ,  186 . The upper edge  190  defines the inlet opening  172  of the bag  104 . 
     The bag  104  may be made of a variety of materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyesters coated with polyurethane, polyethylene, vinyl, and other plastic-based materials. Other types of materials may be used. Plastics are resistant to negative reactions with metal (e.g., rust) while still being sturdy enough to handle, for example, the spent grease. Additionally, plastics can be recycled and re-used or repurposed. As such, the bag is environmentally friendly. 
     In particular configurations, the bag  104  has a flexible shape. When not in use, in some configurations, the bag  104  may be folded. 
     While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations, and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims. As a non-limiting example, while a particular application has been described, the described process may be used with other oilfield applications and industrial applications.