Patent Publication Number: US-9885372-B2

Title: System and method for a rotor advancing tool

Description:
CROSS-SECTION TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/922,488, entitled “System and Method for a Rotor Advancing Tool,” filed Dec. 31, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     The subject matter disclosed herein relates to rotating equipment, and, more particularly, to systems and methods for using a rotor advancing tool with an isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX). 
     Rotating equipment, such as IPXs, may handle a variety of fluids. Some of these fluids may include solids, such as particles, powders, debris, and so forth, which may interfere with the operation of the rotating equipment. In certain circumstances, the solids may prevent the rotating components of the rotating equipment from rotating. Thus, the rotating equipment may be taken out of service to enable the solids to be removed and/or enable the rotating components to be rotated. In addition, it may be useful to rotate the rotating components when the rotating equipment is not operating for a variety of reasons, such as verifying proper operation of the rotating equipment, testing sensors, and so forth. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying figures in which like characters represent like parts throughout the figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX) and rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary IPX; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary IPX in a first operating position; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary IPX in a second operating position; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary IPX in a third operating position; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rotary IPX in a fourth operating position; 
         FIG. 7  is perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a rotary IPX that may be used with a rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 8  is partial cutaway view of an embodiment of the rotary IPX of  FIG. 7  and a rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional axial view of a portion of an embodiment of a rotary IPX that may be used with a rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional radial view of a portion of an embodiment of a rotary IPX and a rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a method that may be used to rotate a rotor of an IPX with a rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional axial view of a portion of an embodiment of a rotary IPX and a rotor advancing tool; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method that may be used to rotate a rotor of an IPX with a rotor advancing tool; and 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a frac system with a hydraulic energy transfer system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. These described embodiments are only exemplary of the present invention. Additionally, in an effort to provide a concise description of these exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present invention, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 
     As discussed in detail below, the disclosed embodiments relate generally to rotating equipment, and particularly to an isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX). For example, the IPX may handle a variety of fluids, some of which may include solid particles, powders, debris, and so forth. The IPX may include chambers wherein the pressures of two volumes of a liquid may equalize, as described in detail below. In some embodiments, the pressures of the two volumes of liquid may not completely equalize. Thus, the IPX may not only operate isobarically, but also substantially isobarically (e.g., wherein the pressures equalize within approximately +/−1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 percent of each other). In certain embodiments, a first pressure of a first fluid may be greater than a second pressure of a second fluid. For example, the first pressure may be between approximately 6,000 kPa to 8,000 kPa, 6,500 kPa to 7,500 kPa, or 6,750 kPa to 7,250 kPa greater than the second pressure. Thus, the IPX may be used to transfer pressure from the first fluid to the second fluid. 
     In certain situations, it may be desirable to move, rotate, or advance certain components of the IPX when the IPX is not in operation. For example, the solids in the fluids flowing through the IPX may interfere with the rotation of certain rotating components of the IPX, such as a rotor. Thus, it may be desirable to rotate the rotor to overcome the interference of the solids. In other situations, it may be desirable to verify proper operation of the rotor and associated components, such as sensors, before placing the IPX in operation and/or during various maintenance procedures. Thus, in certain embodiments, a rotor advancing tool may be used to move, rotate, or advance the rotor without disconnecting the IPX from its associating piping, tubing, and/or conduits. For example, the rotor advancing tool may be placed through an opening of the IPX to engage with the rotor. In certain embodiments, the rotor advancing tool may be part of the IPX and configured to engage with the rotor when desired. Use of such embodiments of the rotor advancing tool may provide several advantages compared to other methods of rotating the rotor. For example, the IPX may remain coupled to its associating piping and conduits when embodiments of the rotor advancing tool are used, which may reduce the cost, time, and complexity associated with manipulating the rotor. In addition, the IPX may remain pressurized and/or the fluid may remain in the IPX during use of certain embodiments of the rotor advancing tool, which may not only reduce the potential for escape of the fluid from the IPX, but also reduce the cost, time, and complexity associated with manipulating the rotor. Further, the IPX is not disassembled or completely taken apart when embodiments of the rotor advanced tool are used. In other words, the rotor is not removed from the IPX when embodiments of the rotor advancing tool are used. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an isobaric pressure exchanger (IPX)  10  (e.g., rotary IPX) that may be used with the rotor advancing tool  12 . In the following discussion, reference may be made to a longitudinal axis or axial direction  14 , a radial axis or direction  16 , and/or a circumferential axis or direction  18  of the IPX  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the IPX  10  may have a variety of fluid connections, such as a first fluid inlet  20 , a first fluid outlet  22 , a second fluid inlet  24 , and/or a second fluid outlet  26 . The fluid connections may be coupled to piping  28  that provides the fluids to the IPX  10 . In certain embodiments, the first and/or second fluids may include solids, such as particles, powders, debris, and so forth. Each of the fluid connections to the IPX  10  may be made using flanged, fittings, threaded fittings, welded fittings, or other types of fittings. The IPX  10  may include a rotating component, such as a rotor  30 , which may rotate in the circumferential direction  18 . The rotor  30  is disposed within a housing  32 . As described in greater detail below, the housing  30  may include a body portion or shell  34  and manifolds  36  at the ends of the body portion  34 . The fluid connections (e.g., inlets  20 ,  24  and outlets  22 ,  26 ) may be disposed on the manifolds  36  or alternatively on both the body portion  34  and the manifolds  36  or solely on the body portion  34 . In certain embodiments, the rotor  30  may be disposed within a sleeve (see  FIG. 2 ) within the housing  32 . In certain embodiments, the IPX  10  may not include a sleeve. Instead, in certain embodiments, the rotor  30  may rotate about an axle or stator. In certain embodiments, the rotor  30  may be disposed between a pair of end plates or end covers (see  FIG. 2 ) that are disposed adjacent the ends of the body portion  34  within the manifolds  36 . In addition, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be part of the IPX  10  or inserted into the IPX  10  (e.g., via an opening in the body portion  32  and/or manifolds  36  of the housing  32 ) to engage with the rotor  30 , thereby enabling rotation of the rotor  30  when the IPX  10  is not in operation. 
     As used herein, the IPX  10  may be generally defined as a device that transfers fluid pressure between a high-pressure inlet stream and a low-pressure inlet stream at efficiencies in excess of approximately 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 97% or greater without utilizing centrifugal technology. In this context, high pressure refers to pressures greater than the low pressure. The low-pressure inlet stream of the IPX  10  may be pressurized and exit the IPX  10  at high pressure (e.g., at a pressure greater than that of the low-pressure inlet stream), and the high-pressure inlet stream may be depressurized and exit the IPX  10  at low pressure (e.g., at a pressure less than that of the high-pressure inlet stream). Additionally, the IPX  10  may operate with the high-pressure fluid directly applying a force to pressurize the low-pressure fluid, with or without a fluid separator between the fluids. Examples of fluid separators that may be used with the IPX  10  include, but are not limited to, pistons, bladders, diaphragms and the like. In certain embodiments, isobaric pressure exchangers may be rotary devices. Rotary IPXs  10 , such as those manufactured by Energy Recovery, Inc. of San Leandro, Calif., may not have any separate valves, since the effective valving action is accomplished internal to the device via the relative motion of the rotor  30  with respect to end covers, as described in detail below with respect to  FIGS. 2-6 . Rotary IPXs  10  may be designed to operate with or without internal pistons to isolate fluids and transfer pressure with little mixing of the inlet fluid streams. Reciprocating IPXs may include a piston moving back and forth in a cylinder for transferring pressure between the fluid streams. Any IPX or plurality of IPXs may be used in the disclosed embodiments, such as, but not limited to, rotary IPXs. While the discussion with respect to certain embodiments of the rotor advancing tool  12  may refer to rotary IPXs  10 , it is understood that any IPX or plurality of IPXs may be substituted for the rotary IPX  10  in any of the disclosed embodiments. In addition, the IPX  10  may be disposed on a skid separate from the other components of a fluid handling system, which may be desirable in situations in which the IPX  10  is added to an existing fluid handling system. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of an embodiment of a rotary IPX  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rotary IPX  10  may include a generally cylindrical body portion  40  that includes a sleeve  42  and a rotor  30 . The cylindrical body portion  40  may be disposed within the body portion or shell  34  of the housing  32  (see  FIGS. 1, 8, 9, 12 ). The rotary IPX  20  may also include two end structures  46  and  48  that include manifolds  50  and  52  (which form a portion of the housing  32 ), respectively. Manifold  50  includes inlet and outlet ports  54  and  56  and manifold  52  includes inlet and outlet ports  60  and  58 . For example, inlet port  54  may receive a high-pressure first fluid and the outlet port  56  may be used to route a low-pressure first fluid away from the IPX  10 . Similarly, inlet port  60  may receive a low-pressure second fluid and the outlet port  58  may be used to route a high-pressure second fluid away from the IPX  10 . The end structures  46  and  48  include generally flat end plates or end covers  62  and  64 , respectively, disposed within the manifolds  50  and  52 , respectively, and adapted for liquid sealing contact with the rotor  30 . The rotor  30  may be cylindrical and disposed in the sleeve  42 , and is arranged for rotation about a longitudinal axis  66  of the rotor  30 . The rotor  30  may have a plurality of channels  68  extending substantially longitudinally through the rotor  30  with openings  70  and  72  at each end arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal axis  66 . The openings  70  and  72  of the rotor  30  are arranged for hydraulic communication with the end plates  62  and  64 , and inlet and outlet apertures  74  and  76 , and  78  and  80 , in such a manner that during rotation they alternately hydraulically expose liquid at high pressure and liquid at low pressure to the respective manifolds  50  and  52 . The inlet and outlet ports  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and  60 , of the manifolds  50  and  52  form at least one pair of ports for high-pressure liquid in one end element  46  or  48 , and at least one pair of ports for low-pressure liquid in the opposite end element,  48  or  46 . The end plates  62  and  64 , and inlet and outlet apertures  74  and  76 , and  78  and  80  are designed with perpendicular flow cross sections in the form of arcs or segments of a circle. 
     In addition, because the IPX  10  is configured to be exposed to the first and second fluids, certain components of the IPX  10  may be made from materials compatible with the components of the first and second fluids. In addition, certain components of the IPX  10  may be configured to be physically compatible with other components of the fluid handling system. For example, the ports  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and  60  may comprise flanged connectors to be compatible with other flanged connectors present in the piping of the fluid handling system. In other embodiments, the ports  54 ,  56 ,  58 , and  60  may comprise threaded or other types of connectors. 
       FIGS. 3-6  are exploded views of an embodiment of the rotary IPX  10  illustrating the sequence of positions of a single channel  68  in the rotor  30  as the channel  68  rotates through a complete cycle, and are useful to an understanding of the rotary IPX  20 . It is noted that  FIGS. 3-6  are simplifications of the rotary IPX  10  showing one channel  68  and the channel  68  is shown as having a circular cross-sectional shape. In other embodiments, the rotary IPX  10  may include a plurality of channels  68  with different cross-sectional shapes. Thus,  FIGS. 3-6  are simplifications for purposes of illustration, and other embodiments of the rotary IPX  10  may have configurations different from that shown in  FIGS. 3-6 . As described in detail below, the rotary IPX  10  facilitates a hydraulic exchange of pressure between two liquids by putting them in momentary contact within a rotating chamber. In certain embodiments, this exchange happens at a high speed that results in very high efficiency with very little mixing of the liquids. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the channel opening  70  is in hydraulic communication with aperture  76  in endplate  62  and therefore with the manifold  50  at a first rotational position of the rotor  30  and opposite channel opening  72  is in hydraulic communication with the aperture  80  in endplate  64 , and thus, in hydraulic communication with manifold  52 . As discussed below, the rotor  30  rotates in the clockwise direction indicated by arrow  90 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , low-pressure second fluid  92  passes through end plate  64  and enters the channel  68 , where it pushes first fluid  94  out of the channel  68  and through end plate  62 , thus exiting the rotary IPX  10 . The first and second fluids  92  and  94  contact one another at an interface  96  where minimal mixing of the liquids occurs because of the short duration of contact. The interface  96  is a direct contact interface because the second fluid  92  directly contacts the first fluid  94 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , the channel  68  has rotated clockwise through an arc of approximately 90 degrees, and outlet  72  is now blocked off between apertures  78  and  80  of end plate  64 , and outlet  70  of the channel  68  is located between the apertures  74  and  76  of end plate  62  and, thus, blocked off from hydraulic communication with the manifold  50  of end structure  46 . Thus, the low-pressure second fluid  92  is contained within the channel  68 . 
     In  FIG. 5 , the channel  68  has rotated through approximately 180 degrees of arc from the position shown in  FIG. 3 . Opening  72  is in hydraulic communication with aperture  78  in end plate  64  and in hydraulic communication with manifold  52 , and the opening  70  of the channel  68  is in hydraulic communication with aperture  74  of end plate  62  and with manifold  50  of end structure  46 . The liquid in channel  68 , which was at the pressure of manifold  52  of end structure  48 , transfers this pressure to end structure  46  through outlet  70  and aperture  74 , and comes to the pressure of manifold  50  of end structure  46 . Thus, high-pressure first fluid  94  pressurizes and displaces the second fluid  92 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , the channel  68  has rotated through approximately 270 degrees of arc from the position shown in  FIG. 3 , and the openings  70  and  72  of channel  68  are between apertures  74  and  76  of end plate  62 , and between apertures  78  and  80  of end plate  64 . Thus, the high-pressure first fluid  94  is contained within the channel  68 . When the channel  68  rotates through approximately 360 degrees of arc from the position shown in  FIG. 3 , the second fluid  92  displaces the first fluid  94 , restarting the cycle. 
       FIG. 7  is perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a rotary IPX  10  that may be used with the rotor advancing tool  12 . Specifically, the rotary IPX  10  may include an opening  98  through which the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted. A seal  100  (e.g., a removable cover such as a blind flange or access panel) may be used to cover the opening  98  when the rotary IPX  10  is in operation to help block fluids from escaping from the rotary IPX  10 . A gasket or other sealing material may be used between the opening  98  and the blind flange or access panel  100  to help prevent leakage of fluids from the rotary IPX  10  when in operation. The blind flange or access panel  100  may be configured to be easily removed from the rotary IPX  10  without disconnecting the rotary IPX  10  from piping or other conduits coupled to the first and second fluids. The blind flange or access panel  100  may be coupled or fastened to the housing  32  via bolts, a threaded connection, or any other type fastening means. Thus, the rotary advancing tool  12  may be used to move (e.g., rotate and/or axially  14  move) the rotor  30  without disconnecting or removing the rotary IPX  10 . As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the opening  98  and seal  100  are disposed on one of the manifolds  36  of the housing  32 . In certain embodiments, the opening  98  and/or seal  100  may be disposed on the body portion  34  of the housing  32 . Also, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , a fluid connection  102  is disposed on the body portion  34  of the housing and a fluid connection  104  is disposed on the manifold  36 . The fluid connection  102  may function as the first fluid outlet  22  or the second fluid inlet  24 , while the fluid connection  104  may function as the first fluid inlet  20  or the second fluid outlet  26 . As noted above, in certain embodiments, the fluid connections  102 ,  104  may be disposed solely on the manifolds  36  or solely on the body portion  34  of the housing  32 . 
       FIG. 8  is partial cutaway view of an embodiment of the rotary IPX  10  of  FIG. 7  and the rotor advancing tool  12 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the blind flange or access panel  100  has been removed (e.g., undoing bolts, threaded connection, etc.) thereby exposing the opening  98  through which the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted. In certain embodiments, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be a long, slender tool configured to be handled by hand or other devices (e.g., a powered actuator such as an electric drive, pneumatic drive, or hydraulic drive) to engage with and move the rotor  30 . The rotor advancing tool  12  enables a torque and/or axial force to be applied from outside of the rotary IPX  10  to the rotor  30 . In certain embodiments, a tip portion of the rotor advancing tool  12  may engage a rotor duct wall (e.g., inner wall of channel  68 ) and enable the rotation of the rotor  30  upon application of torque and/or axial movement of the rotor  30  upon application of an axial force. In certain embodiments, an inner surface of the rotor duct wall may include grooves, indentations, depressions, or other surface features configured to engage with a tip portion of the rotor advancing tool  12 . In other embodiments, a longitudinal end of the rotor  30  may include one or more gears (e.g., disposed adjacent the channels  68 ) configured to engage with a tip portion of the rotor advancing tool  12 . In certain embodiments, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be made from a material that is selected to be compatible with components of the rotary IPX  10 . For example, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be made from a softer material than what the rotor  30  and/or other internal components of the rotary IPX  10  are made from to help avoid scratches, abrasions, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the rotary advancing tool  12  may be made from wood, plastic, fiberglass, nonmetals, composite materials, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be made from hard metals but be covered in a protective coating (e.g., plastic coating, rubber coating, etc.) to avoid scratches, abrasions, and so forth. In certain embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted (e.g., axially  14 ) through both the opening  98  of the manifold  36  and an aperture or opening  106  of the end plate  62  to engage and move the rotor  30  (e.g., axially  14 , radially  16 , and/or circumferentially  18 ) with respect to the longitudinal axis  66  of the IPX  10 . 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional axial view of a portion of an embodiment of the rotary IPX  10  that may be used with the rotor advancing tool  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, an opening  108  is formed through the body portion or shell  34  of the housing  32 . As depicted, in certain embodiments, the opening  108  may be located within a port  22  extending (e.g., radially  18 ) from the body portion  34  of the housing  32 . In addition, an opening  112  is formed through the sleeve  42 . The openings  110 ,  112  are radially  18  aligned with each other relative to the longitudinal axis  66  of the IPX  10 . More specifically, the openings  108 ,  112  are radially  18  aligned at a common axial location  114  along the longitudinal axis  66 . Again, the blind flange or access panel  100  may be used to block the opening  108  when the rotary IPX  10  is operating. To rotate the rotor  30 , the blind flange or access panel  100  may be removed and the rotor advancing tool  12  passed through the openings  108 ,  122  in the body portion  34  and the sleeve  42  to engage with the rotor  30 . In certain embodiments, an outer surface  122  of the rotor  30  may include one or more grooves  118  (e.g., indentations, depressions, or recesses) and/or protrusions  119  (e.g., teeth, gears, or tabs) to provide for engagement with the rotor advancing tool  12  (e.g., a tip of the rotor advancing tool  12 , see  FIG. 10 ). The grooves  118  and/or protrusions  119  extend longitudinally (e.g., axially  14 ) along at least a portion  120  of the outer surface  122  of the rotor  30  radially aligned with the openings  108 ,  112 . In addition, the grooves  118  and/or protrusions  119  may be disposed circumferentially  18  about the outer surface  122  of the rotor  30 . In certain embodiments, the grooves  118  may extend along the entire longitudinal length (e.g., in the axial direction  14 ) of the rotor  30 . Such features  118  in the surface  116  of the rotor  30  may facilitate rotation of the rotor  30  using the rotor advancing tool  12  (see  FIG. 10 ). In certain embodiments, the rotary IPX  10  may include a sensor  122 , such as an RPM sensor, that interacts with a magnet  124  mounted or disposed in the rotor  30  to provide an indication of the rotational speed of the rotor  30 . Thus, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be used to rotate the rotor  30  to test, calibrate, or verify operation of the RPM sensor  122  when the rotary IPX  10  is not in operation. In certain embodiments, the RPM sensor  122  may be communicatively coupled to a controller that can monitor and/or provide an indication of the rotational speed of the rotor  30  based on feedback from the sensor  122 . 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional radial view of a portion of an embodiment of the rotary IPX  10  and the rotor advancing tool  12 . The IPX  10  is as generally described in  FIG. 9 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , the outer surface  116  of the rotor  30  may include a plurality of grooves  118  and/or protrusions  119  to engage with a tip  126  of the rotor advancing tool  12 . The tip  126  extends from a main portion  128  of the rotor advancing tool  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be bent or angled to help position the tool  12  against a stationary portion of the IPX  10  such as the sleeve  42  (e.g., along an inner surface  130  of the opening  112 ) to provide additional leverage against the rotor  30 . In other embodiments, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be bent or angled to help position the tool  12  against another stationary portion of the IPX  10  such as the housing  32  (e.g., body portion  34 ). Specifically, the tip portion  126  extends from the main portion  128  of the rotor advancing tool  12  at an angle  132 . In certain embodiments, a powered drive  134  (e.g., an electric drive, a hydraulic drive or piston, a pneumatic drive or piston, etc.) may be used to manipulate the rotor advancing tool  12 . The hydraulic piston  134  is coupled to an end  136  of the rotor advancing tool  12  opposite the tip portion  126 . In certain embodiments, a powered drive  134  may remain coupled to the rotary IPX  10  and at least a portion of the rotor advancing tool  12  may remain in the rotary IPX  10  (e.g., disposed through the openings  108  and/or  112 ) when the rotary IPX  10  is in operation. In such embodiments, the hydraulic piston  134  may be used to retract the rotor advancing tool  12  such that it does not interfere with rotation of the rotor  30  during operation of the IPX  10 . When manipulation of the rotor  30  is desired, the rotary IPX  10  may be shut off and the hydraulic piston  34  used to place the rotor advancing tool  12  (e.g., tip portion  126 ) against the rotor  30 . The use of a powered drive to actuate tool  12  may eliminate the need to open or even depressurize the IPX  10  prior to rotor advancement. 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart of a method  138  that may be used to rotate the rotor  30  of the IPX  10  with the rotor advancing tool  12 , such as the rotor advancing tool  12  illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In a first step, operation of the IPX  10  may be stopped (block  140 ) and the IPX  10  may be isolated from the first and second fluid sources. In other words, the flow of the first and second fluids to and from the IPX  10  may be blocked using valves or similar devices, but the IPX  10  remains coupled to the piping, tubing, or other conduits. In a second step, the IPX  10  may be depressurized (block  142 ). In a third step, the IPX  10  may be drained of fluids (block  144 ). Next, the access plate or blind flange  100  may be removed from the opening  108  to enable access for the rotor advancing tool  12  (block  146 ) to the rotor  30 . The first three steps may be performed to enable the rotor advancing tool  12  to be used while reducing the potential for release of fluids from the IPX  10 . In a fifth step, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted through the openings  108  and/or  110  (block  148 ). In a sixth step, the rotor advancing tool  12  (e.g., tip portion  126 ) may be engaged with the rotor  30 , such as with a groove  118  and/or protrusion  119  formed in the external surface  116  of the rotor  30  (block  150 ). In a seventh step, the rotor  30  may be rotated (e.g., circumferentially) using the rotor advancing tool  12  (block  152 ). After the desired rotation of the rotor  30  is complete, the previous steps may be performed in reverse order to place the IPX  10  back into operation. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional axial view of a portion of an embodiment of the rotary IPX  10  and the rotor advancing tool  12 . In general, the IPX  10  is similar to the IPX  10  described in  FIG. 8 . In the illustrated embodiment, a dynamic seal  154  may be disposed in the opening  98  for the rotor advancing tool  12 . The dynamic seal  154  may be used to help block fluids from escaping from the IPX  10  when the IPX  10  is in operation or when the rotor advancing tool  12  is being used. Thus, the rotor advancing tool  12  may remain coupled to the IPX  10  and retracted a distance away from the rotor  30  when the IPX  10  is operating. When manipulation of the rotor  30  is desired, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted into the IPX  10  to engage with the rotor  30 , with the dynamic seal  154  (e.g., annular seal) continuing to help block leakage of fluids. Such an embodiment of the rotor advancing tool  12  and IPX  10  may be desirable because the rotor advancing tool  12  may be used without depressurization and/or draining of the IPX  10 , thereby reducing the time, costs, and complexity associated with using the rotor advancing tool  12 . The dynamic seal  154  may be made from any flexible material compatible with the first and second fluids, such as plastic or elastomeric materials. In certain embodiments, a flexible bellows or other arrangement may be used for the dynamic seal  154 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted (e.g., axially  14 ) through both the opening  98  and the dynamic seal  154  of the manifold  36  and an aperture or opening  106  of the end plate  62  to engage and move the rotor  30  (e.g., axially  14 , radially  16 , and/or circumferentially  18 ) with respect to the longitudinal axis  66  of the IPX  10 . In certain embodiments, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be inserted also through an aperture or opening  106  of the end plate  62  to enable the tool  12  to engage the rotor  30  (see  FIG. 8 ). In certain embodiments, the rotor advancing tool  12  may include a cylindrical rod surrounded by an annular seal that upon insertion within the opening  98  helps block leakage of fluid. 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of a method  156  that may be used to rotate the rotor  30  of the IPX  10  with the rotor advancing tool  12 , such as the rotor advancing tool  12  illustrated in  FIG. 12 . In a first step, operation of the IPX  10  may be stopped (block  158 ). In certain embodiments, the IPX  10  is not isolated from the first and second fluid sources to enable the rotor advancing tool  12  to be used. In other words, the first and second fluids may continue to flow in and out of the IPX  10  when the rotor advancing tool  12  is used. In certain embodiments, operation of the IPX  10  may not be stopped prior to insertion of the rotor advancing tool  12 . In a second step, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be engaged with the rotor  30 , such as with a groove  118  and/or protrusion  119  formed in the external surface  116  of the rotor  30  (block  160 ). Because of the dynamic seal  154 , depressurization and/or draining of the IPX  10  may not be performed. In a third step, the rotor  30  may be rotated using the rotor advancing tool  12  (block  162 ). After the desired rotation of the rotor  30  is complete, the previous steps may be performed in reverse order to place the IPX  10  back into operation. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the frac system  164  with a hydraulic energy transfer system  166  that may utilize the above described rotary IPX  10 . In operation, the frac system  164  enables well completion operations to increase the release of oil and gas in rock formations. Specifically, the frac system  164  pumps a frac fluid containing a combination of water, chemicals, and proppant (e.g., sand, ceramics, etc.) into a well at high-pressures. The high-pressures of the frac fluid increases crack size and propagation through the rock formation, which releases more oil and gas, while the proppant prevents the cracks from closing once the frac fluid is depressurized. As illustrated, the frac system  164  includes a high-pressure pump  168  and a low-pressure pump  170  coupled to the hydraulic energy transfer system  166  (e.g., the rotary IPX  10  described above). In operation, the hydraulic energy transfer system  166  transfers pressures between a first fluid (e.g., proppant free fluid) pumped by the high-pressure pump  168 , represented by reference numeral  172 , and a second fluid (e.g., proppant containing fluid or frac fluid) pumped by the low-pressure pump, as represented by reference numeral  174 . In this manner, the hydraulic energy transfer system  166  blocks or limits wear on the high-pressure pump  168 , while enabling the frac system  164  to pump a high-pressure frac fluid  176  into a well  178  to release oil and gas. 
     In an embodiment using the IPX  10 , the first fluid  172  (e.g., high-pressure proppant free fluid) enters a first side  180  of the hydraulic energy transfer system  166  where the first fluid  12  contacts the second fluid  174  (e.g., low-pressure frac fluid) entering the IPX  10  on a second side  182 . The contact between the fluids  172 ,  174  enables the first fluid  172  to increase the pressure of the second fluid  174 , which drives the second fluid  174  out of the IPX  10 , as represented by reference numeral  176 , and down the well  178  for fracturing operations. The first fluid  172  similarly exits the IPX  10 , as represented by reference numeral  184 , but at a low-pressure after exchanging pressure with the second fluid  174 . In certain embodiments, debris (e.g., from the proppants may stall or slow down the rotor  30 . Thus, the rotor advancing tool  12  may be utilized as described above to move the rotor  30 . 
     While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.