Patent Abstract:
This invention pertains to an apparatus to efficiently provide a means to heat liquid in the oil and gas fields, specifically fracking operations. The apparatus described herein provides reservoir heaters connected via reservoir transfer tubes and a heat source, located at the bottom of the apparatus, which thoroughly heats liquid as the liquid travels from the bottom of the apparatus to the top of the apparatus.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention pertains to the field of providing hot liquid, particularly water for field application in the oil and gas industry. The apparatus comprises a means for effectively and inexpensively providing heated liquid on demand through a novel heating apparatus. Use of the apparatus provides significant quantity of heated water at a fraction of the heating costs currently contemplated for field use. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The oil and gas industry began fracturing rock deposits, i.e., fracking, in approximately 1970. Since that time fracking has developed into the preferred method of gas exploration and recovery. 
         [0003]    Liquid, typically heated water, is used in fracking operations. To accomplish fracking, heated liquid is applied or injected into formations. A constant and inexpensive supply of liquid is needed to maintain operations. Current and conventional technology employs a heater coil and boiler design, usually used to heat liquid and has been used in oil and gas field applications from 1950 to current. Again, the liquid most typically used is water. 
         [0004]    There is a need for a means to provide significant amounts of heated liquid, typically water, in the oil and gas field. The conventional, current means of providing heated water are often expensive, unreliable, and require multiple apparatuses. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a long felt need for a system or method to effectively and inexpensively provided heated liquid, particularly water, for fracking operations in oil and gas fields. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, it is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a means to provide an inexpensive and effective means to heat liquid, including water in remote gas and petroleum fields. The invention, which relates to a reservoir tube heater which flows liquid, typically water, through a series of reservoirs and liquid transfer tubes with a heat source, typically propane burners underneath. Liquid flows through the reservoir tube heater from the lower portion to the upper portion, contrary to current liquid heating systems currently used in the industry. 
         [0007]    The present invention is concerned with a new and novel means to supply heated liquid for fracking and other oil and gas filed needs. To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, comprises a reservoir-tube heater apparatus comprising horizontally stacked rows of liquid transfer tubes separating a first column of horizontally layered reservoirs and an opposing second column of horizontally layered reservoirs, said horizontally stacked rows of liquid transfer tubes having a bottom row of liquid transfer tubes, a top row of liquid transfer tubes and multiple rows of liquid transfer tubes therebetween, said first column of reservoirs comprising first reservoir having an opening intake orifice and a row of multiple outlet orifices connected to the bottom row of liquid transfer tubes, a last reservoir having an exit outtake orifice and a row of inlet orifices connected to the top row of liquid transfer tubes, said bottom row of liquid transfer tubes and said top row of liquid transfer tubes connected to multiple reservoir pairs comprised of a bottom reservoir having liquid inlet orifices, a top reservoir having liquid outlet orifices and reservoir transfer tube between the top and bottom reservoirs. 
         [0008]    Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
         [0009]    Benefits and advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to, providing a system, which provides a means to effectively provide heated liquid at a fraction of the energy costs to the oil and gas industry. The invention is easy to use and can function in a variety of terrains without being cost prohibitive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective front and side view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of one embodiment of the present invention and further demonstrates the flow of liquid through the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates a front end cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates a close up front end cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, focusing in on the upper right section of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective front and side view of a first reservoir of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective side view of a reservoir pair including a bottom reservoir and a top reservoir of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is another illustration of a perspective side view of a reservoir pair including a bottom reservoir and a top reservoir of one embodiment of. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective front and side view of a last reservoir of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar elements in all figures.  FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir-tube heater  1 . This depiction shows a broad perspective side view of one embodiment of the instant invention. The sideways directional flow of liquid through the reservoir tube heater  1  as embodied in the instant invention is depicted with dashed arrows. A liquid inlet tube  2  is shown at the bottom and a liquid outlet tube  64  is shown at the top of the reservoir-tube heater  1 . Dashed arrows show the directional flow of liquid through the reservoir tube heater  1  as liquid flows into a horizontally stacked plurality of liquid transfer tubes  100 . 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the reservoir tube heater further comprises a trailer to which the reservoir tube heater is attached. This attachment, typically on the bed of a trailer, allows for transportation of the reservoir tube heater to remote locations. In another embodiment, the reservoir heater further comprising an outer covering to surround the reservoir heater and insulate the reservoir tube heater. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts a first column of horizontally layered reservoirs  101 A and an opposing second column of horizontally layered reservoirs  101 B. The plurality of liquid transfer tubes provides a means for liquid to flow form reservoirs in the first column of horizontally layered reservoirs  101 A to the opposing second column of horizontally layered reservoir  101 B, and vice versa, i.e. liquid flowing from  101 B to  101 A. A pumping unit, which is typically a power train output motor, not pictured in this figure, forces liquid flow from the inlet tube into the first reservoir  4  from the liquid inlet tube  2 , multiple liquid transfer tubes  100  and horizontally layered reservoirs, and eventually out the liquid outlet tube  64 . Additionally, a liquid source, not depicted in  FIG. 1 , provides liquid that flows into inlet tube  2 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2 , a side view of the present invention, depicts a more detailed view of the liquid flow route through the invention. From the liquid inlet tube  2  liquid into a first reservoir  4  via a liquid intake orifice  3 . Liquid then flows from the first reservoir  4  through a multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes into a second reservoir  8 . In this side view diagram, only liquid transfer tubes  6 A is shown. It is understood that there are additional liquid tubes,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D,  6 E,  6 F,  6 G,  6 H,  61  providing a means for liquid to flow from first reservoir  4  to the second reservoir  8 . The second reservoir  8  is a bottom reservoir, having non-depicted water inlet orifices of a reservoir pair. The third reservoir  10  is a top reservoir, having non-depicted water outlet orifices. In this first reservoir pair, the second reservoir  8  and third reservoir  10  are connected via transfer tube  9 . 
         [0023]    Second reservoir  8  eventually fills with liquid, originating from the first reservoir  4  via the liquid transfer tubes  6 A,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D,  6 E,  6 F,  6 G,  6 H,  6 I. Liquid flows up to third reservoir  10  via reservoir transfer tube  9 . From third reservoir  10 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes into a fourth reservoir  14 . Liquid transfer tube  12 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes  12 B,  12 C,  12 D,  12 E,  12 F,  12 G, and  12 H providing a means for liquid to flow from third reservoir  10  to fourth reservoir  14 , a bottom reservoir of a second reservoir pair with the fifth reservoir  16  being the top reservoir of the second reservoir pair. 
         [0024]    Fourth reservoir  14  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a fifth reservoir  16  via reservoir transfer tube  15 . From fifth reservoir  16 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D,  18 E,  18 F,  18 G,  18 H and  18 I into a sixth reservoir  20 , although only liquid transfer tube  18 A is shown, providing a means for liquid to flow from fifth reservoir  16  to sixth reservoir  20 . Reservoir  20  and reservoir  22  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the third reservoir pair. 
         [0025]    Sixth reservoir  20  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a seventh reservoir  22  via reservoir transfer tube  21 . From seventh reservoir  22 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  24 A,  24 B,  24 C,  24 D,  24 E,  24 F,  24 G, and  24 H into an eighth reservoir  26 . Only liquid transfer tube  24 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from seventh reservoir  22  to eighth reservoir  26 . Reservoir  26  and reservoir  28  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the fourth reservoir pair. 
         [0026]    Eighth reservoir  26  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a ninth reservoir  28  via reservoir transfer tube  27 . From ninth reservoir  28 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  30 A,  30 B,  30 C,  30 D,  30 E,  30 F,  30 G,  30 H and  30 I into a tenth reservoir  32 . Only liquid transfer tubes  30 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from ninth reservoir  28  to the tenth reservoir  32 . Reservoir  32  and reservoir  34  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the fifth reservoir pair. 
         [0027]    Tenth reservoir  32  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to an eleventh reservoir  34  via reservoir transfer tube  33 . From eleventh reservoir  34 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  36 A,  36 B,  36 C,  36 D,  36 E,  36 F,  36 G, and  30 H into a twelfth reservoir  38 . Again, in this diagram and at this angle, only liquid transfer tube  36 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from eleventh reservoir  34  to twelfth reservoir  38 . Reservoir  38  and reservoir  40  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the sixth reservoir pair. 
         [0028]    Twelfth reservoir  38  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a thirteenth reservoir  40  via reservoir transfer tube  39 . From thirteenth reservoir  40 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  42 A,  42 B,  42 C,  42 D,  42 E,  42 F,  42 G,  42 H and  42 I into a fourteenth reservoir  44 . Only liquid transfer tube  42 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from thirteenth reservoir  40  to the fourteenth reservoir  44 . Reservoir  44  and reservoir  46  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the seventh reservoir pair. 
         [0029]    Fourteenth reservoir  44  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a fifteenth reservoir  46  via reservoir transfer tube  45 . From fifteenth reservoir  46 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  48 A,  48 B,  48 C,  48 D,  48 E,  48 F,  48 G, and  48 H into a sixteenth reservoir  50 . Only liquid transfer tube  48 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from fifteenth reservoir  46  to the sixteenth reservoir  50 . Reservoir  50  and reservoir  52  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the eighth reservoir pair. 
         [0030]    Sixteenth reservoir  50  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a seventeenth reservoir  52  via reservoir transfer tube  51 , not depicted in this diagram. From seventeenth reservoir  52 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  54 A,  54 B,  54 C,  54 D,  54 E,  54 F,  54 G,  54 H and  54 I into an eighteenth reservoir  56 . Only liquid transfer tube  54 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from seventeenth reservoir  52  to the eighteenth reservoir  56 . Reservoir  56  and reservoir  58  are the bottom and top reservoirs, respectively, of the ninth reservoir pair. Eighteenth reservoir  56  eventually fills with liquid and liquid flows up to a nineteenth reservoir  58  via reservoir transfer tube  57 , not depicted in this diagram. From nineteenth reservoir  58 , liquid flows through multiplicity of parallel liquid transfer tubes  60 A,  60 B,  60 C,  60 D,  60 E,  60 F,  60 G, and  60 H into a twentieth reservoir  62 . Only liquid transfer tube  60 A is shown, although it is understood that there are additional liquid tubes providing a means for liquid to flow from nineteenth reservoir  58  to the twentieth reservoir  62 . Liquid eventually fills the last reservoir, the twentieth reservoir  62 , and flows out a liquid outlet tube  64  via a liquid exit outtake orifice  63 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of the present invention, wherein opening intake orifice  3  is disposed between the liquid inlet tube  2  and the first reservoir  4  via the opening intake orifice  3 . Further,  FIG. 2  depicts the reservoir transfer tube  9  between second reservoir  8  and third reservoir  10 , the reservoir transfer tube  15  between the fourth reservoir  14  and fifth reservoir  16 , the reservoir transfer tube  21  between the sixth reservoir  20  and the seventh reservoir  22 , the reservoir transfer tube  27  between the eighth reservoir  26  and ninth reservoir  28 , the reservoir transfer tube  33  between the tenth reservoir  32  and the eleventh reservoir  34 , the reservoir transfer tube  39  between the twelfth reservoir  38  and the thirteenth reservoir  40 , the reservoir transfer tube  45  between the fourteenth reservoir  44  and the fifteenth reservoir  46 , the reservoir transfer tube between the sixteenth reservoir  50  and the seventeenth reservoir  52 , the reservoir transfer tube  57  between the eighteenth reservoir  56  and nineteenth reservoir  58 .  FIG. 2  also depicts the exit outtake orifice  63  disposed between the liquid outlet tube  64  and the twentieth reservoir  62  and the twentieth reservoir  62 . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 2 ,  6  represents the plurality of liquid transfer tubes,  6 A,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D,  6 E,  6 F,  6 G,  6 H and  6 I. It is to be understood that the plurality of liquid transfer tubes not seen in this depiction of the instant invention. Similarly,  12 ,  18 ,  24 ,  30 ,  36 ,  42 ,  48 ,  54 , and  60  represent similar pluralities of liquid transfer tubes. Similar to  FIG. 1 , the dashed arrows represent the flow of liquid through the invention as outlined above. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  depicts thermocouple  65  attached to liquid inlet tube  2  and thermocouple  66  attached to liquid outlet tube  66 . The thermocouples allow the operator to measure the temperature between the inlet and outlet of the reservoir-tube heater. One way the operator can make adjustments to the temperature of the liquid would be by adjusting the rate of flow by adjusting the pto unit pumping the liquid through the reservoir-tube heater. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  shows a front cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this representation the liquid transfer tubes are shown in the reservoir tubes are omitted. Liquid transfer tubes  6 A,  6 B,  60 ,  60 , six each,  6 F,  6 G,  6 H, and  6 I would flow from the first reservoir tube  4 , not depicted, into the second reservoir tube  8 , also not depicted. Liquid flowing through liquid transfer tubes  6 A through  6 I,  18 A through  18 I,  30 A through  30 I,  42 A through  42 I and  54 A through  54 I would flow parallel to each other and opposite to liquid flowing through liquid transfer tubes  12 A through  12 H,  24 A through  24 H,  36 A through  36 H,  48 A through  48 H and  60 A through  60 H. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  also depicts one embodiment of the instant invention wherein the liquid transfer tubes  6 A through  6 I are disposed offset from liquid transfer tubes  12 A through  12 H such that liquid transferred tube  12  they is immediately above the midpoint between liquid transfer tube  6 A and  6 B. As  FIG. 3  shows, this pattern repeats itself. Thus, each row of liquid transfer tubes is offset by one half the distance between the liquid transfer tubes above and below and every other row of liquid transfer tubes aligns. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  also depicts a heat sources  300  A,  300  B,  300  C,  300  D,  300  E,  300  F,  300  G,  300  H, and  300  I underneath liquid transfer tubes  6 A through  6 I. In field use, these heat sources are typically propane burners that run the length of the liquid transfer tubes and provide 10,000,000+BTUs to heat the liquid transfer tubes of the reservoir-tube heater. Although not depicted in this diagram the reservoir tube heater in some embodiments is at least partially encased in a box and loaded onto a flatbed trailer. Accompanying the reservoir tube heater is a liquid propane tank to supply the energy to heat the liquid as it travels through the reservoir tube heater. Thus, via the input from the thermocouples  65  and  66 , the operator may also control the temperature of the liquid by adjusting the amount of propane sent to the propane burners from the attached propane tank. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  depicts the upper right liquid transfer tubes of  FIG. 3 , namely liquid transfer tubes  54 A,  54 B,  60 A and  60 B. In one embodiment of the instant invention, 4 inches separates the center of every liquid transfer tube in a row. Thus, the distance from the center of liquid transfer tube  60 A and liquid transferred tube  60 B is 4 inches. Also, the distance between a line intersecting the center of every liquid transferred tube in one row, for example  60 A,  60  B, etc. and a line intersecting the center of every liquid transferred tube the next closest row of liquid transfer tubes, for example,  54 A,  54 B, etc. is 4 inches. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  depicts the liquid inlet tube  2  contacting the first reservoir  4  with liquid flowing through the opening intake orifice  3 . The first reservoir  4  comprises generally a rectangular cube having a first side  4 A, an opposing second side  4 B, a front side  4 C and an opposing back side  4 D, and a bottom portion  4 E and a top portion  4 F. Liquid flows out of the first reservoir  4  through the outlet orifices  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  5 F,  5 G,  5 H, and  5 I, (not depicted) located on the second side  4 B of the first reservoir, into liquid transfer tubes  6 A,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D,  6 E,  6 F,  6 G,  6 H and  6 I, (not depicted) respectively, as the liquid flows to the second reservoir  8 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  depicts first reservoir pair comprising the second reservoir  8 , the third reservoir  10  and the reservoir transfer tube  9 . Reservoir  8  comprises a generally rectangular cube having a first side  6 A, an opposing second side  6 B, a front side  6 C and an opposing back side  6 D, and a bottom portion  6 E and a top portion  6 F. Liquid flows into the second reservoir  6  through the inlet orifices  7 A,  7 B,  7 C,  7 D,  7 E,  7 F,  7 G,  7 H, and  7 I, located on the first side  6 A of the second reservoir  6  and from liquid transfer tubes  6 A,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D,  6 E,  6 F,  6 G,  6 H and  6 I, respectively (not depicted in  FIG. 6 ). Once the second reservoir  8  is filled, liquid flows through the reservoir transfer tube  9  into the third reservoir  10 . The third reservoir  10  comprises a generally rectangular cube having a first side  10 A, an opposing second side  10 B, a front side  10 C and an opposing back side  10 D, and a bottom portion  10 E and a top portion  10 F. The reservoir transfer tube  9  is in contact with the top portion of the second reservoir,  6 F and the bottom portion of the third reservoir  10  E. As the third reservoir  10  begins to fill with liquid from the second reservoir  8  via the reservoir transfer tube  9 , the liquid flows out of liquid outlet orifices  11 A,  11 B,  11 C,  11 D,  11 E,  11 F,  11 G, and  11 H disposed on the first side  10  of reservoir  10  and into liquid transfer tubes  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D,  12 E,  12 F,  12 G, and  12 H (not depicted), respectively, as the liquid flows out of the third reservoir  10  to the fourth reservoir  14 . 
         [0040]    The first reservoir pair comprising reservoir  8  and reservoir  10  shown in  FIG. 6  is identical to the third reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  20  and reservoir  22 , the fifth reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  32  and reservoir  34 , the seventh reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  44  and reservoir  46  and the ninth reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  56  and  58 .  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  show an elongated reservoir transfer tube  9  and  15 . In these depictions, the reservoir transfer tubes have an exaggerated length. In practice, the length of the reservoir transfer tube would be shorter. The shorter length would be applicable for all reservoir transfer tubes in the reservoir tube heater. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7  depicts the second reservoir pair comprising the fourth reservoir  14 , fifth reservoir  16  and reservoir transfer tube  15 . Reservoir  14  comprises a generally rectangular cube having a first side  14 A, an opposing second side  14 B, a front side  14 C and an opposing backside  14 D, and a bottom portion  14 E and a top portion  14 F. Liquid flows into the fourth reservoir  14  through the inlet orifices  13 A,  13 B,  13 C,  13 D,  13 E,  13 F,  13 G, and  13 H, located on the second side  14 B of the fourth reservoir  14  and from liquid transfer tubes  12 A,  12 B,  12 C,  12 D,  12 E,  12 F,  12 G, and  12 H (not depicted), respectively. Once the fourth reservoir tube  14  is filled, liquid flows through the reservoir transfer tube  15  into the fifth reservoir  16 . The fifth reservoir  16  comprises a generally rectangular cube having a first side  16 A, an opposing second side  16 B, a front side  16 C and an opposing backside  16 D, and a bottom portion  16 E and a top portion  16 F. The reservoir transfer tube  15  is in contact with the top portion  14 F of the second reservoir  14  and the bottom portion  16 E of the fifth reservoir  16 . As the fifth reservoir  16  begins to fill with liquid from the fourth reservoir  14  via the reservoir transfer tube  15 , the liquid flows out of liquid outlet orifices  17 A,  17 B,  17 C,  17 D,  17 E,  17 F,  17 G,  17 H and  17 I disposed on the second side  16 B of the fifth reservoir  16  and into liquid transfer tubes  18 A,  18 B,  18 C,  18 D,  18 E,  18 F,  18 G,  18 H, and  18 I respectively (not depicted in  FIG. 7 ), as the liquid flows out of the fifth reservoir  16  to the sixth reservoir  20 . The liquid flow scheme for reservoir  14  and reservoir  16  shown in  FIG. 6  is identical to the liquid flow scheme for reservoir  26  and reservoir  28 , reservoir  38  and reservoir  40 , and reservoir  50  and reservoir  52 . 
         [0042]    The second reservoir pair comprising reservoir  14  and reservoir  16  shown in  FIG. 7  is identical to the fourth reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  26  and reservoir  28 , the sixth reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  38  and reservoir  40 , and the eighth reservoir pair, comprising reservoir  50  and reservoir  52 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  depicts the liquid outlet tube  64  contacting the last reservoir, twentieth reservoir  62 , and the exit outtake orifice  63 . The twentieth reservoir  62  comprises generally a rectangular cube having a first side  62 A, an opposing second side  62 B, a front side  62 C and an opposing back side  62 D, and a bottom portion  62 E and a top portion  62 F. Liquid flows into the twentieth reservoir  62  through the inlet orifices  61 A,  61 B,  61 C,  61 D,  61 E,  61 F,  61 G, and  61 H, located on the second side  62 B of the first reservoir  62 , from into liquid transfer tubes  60 A,  60 B,  60 C,  60 D,  60 E,  60 F,  60 G,  60 H and  60 I (not depicted), respectively. 
         [0044]    The flow of the liquid from the bottom of the reservoir tube heater apparatus allows the initial liquid flowing into the apparatus to be heated most at first. As the liquid continues to flow up through the multiplicity of horizontally layered reservoirs and horizontally stacked rows of liquid transfer tubes, the liquid continues to be heated because the heat from the heat source rises. Thus, the design of the instant invention allows for energy conservation and optimization to effectively heat with much less energy than is currently used to heat water in fracking operations. As discussed throughout this application the work liquid is most often to include water, which is most often used in fracking applications. 
         [0045]    It is believed that the apparatus of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention and without sacrificing its material advantages. The forms described are merely exemplary and explanatory embodiments thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5