Turbine chilling for oil field power generation

{
  "publication_number": "US10731561B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Turbine chilling for oil field power generation",
  "abstract": "A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with a well at a high pressure; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps, each turbine generator having at least one air intake channel; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit and positioned adjacent to the at least one air intake channel, wherein the air chiller system is configured to increase a power output of the at least one turbine generator.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps, each turbine generator having at least one air intake channel; a transformer having a primary voltage input in electrical communication with an electrical output of the turbine generator; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit; wherein the system comprising the plurality of electric pumps, the at least one turbine generator, and the air chiller system comprises a single electrical micro-grid.",
    "2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second transformer having an input that is in electrical communication with a secondary voltage output of the transformer.",
    "3. The system of claim 2, wherein the second transformer has an output that is in electrical communication with the air chiller system so as to provide electricity for use by the air chiller system.",
    "4. The system of claim 1, wherein the chilled fluid is circulated from the chiller unit through the at least one coil, and wherein ambient air is passed from the at least one air intake channel along an outer surface of the at least one coil and into the at least one turbine generator, such that the air is chilled by the chilled fluid.",
    "5. The system of claim 4, wherein the chilled air is taken in by the at least one turbine generator so as to increase the power output of the at least one turbine generator.",
    "6. The system of claim 4, wherein the fluid is returned to the chiller unit after passing through the at least one coil.",
    "7. The system of claim 4, further comprising a condensation tank, wherein condensation formed on the outer surface of the at least one coil after the chilled fluid is circulated from the chiller unit through the at least one coil is contained in the condensation tank.",
    "8. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one turbine generator is powered by natural gas.",
    "9. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid comprises any of water, ammonia, Freon, or a combination thereof.",
    "10. The system of claim 1, wherein each component of the system is modular and movable to different locations on mobile platforms.",
    "11. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a variable frequency drive connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor.",
    "12. A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation comprising: a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation; a variable frequency drive connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit; wherein the system comprising the plurality of electric pumps, the at least one turbine generator, and the air chiller system comprises a single electrical micro-grid.",
    "13. The system of claim 12, further comprising: a transformer having a high voltage input in electrical communication with an electrical output of the turbine generator, and a low voltage output; and a step down transformer having an input that is in electrical communication with the low voltage output of the transformer.",
    "14. The system of claim 13, wherein the step down transformer has an output that is in electrical communication with the air chiller system so as to provide electricity for use by the air chiller system.",
    "15. The system of claim 12, wherein the chilled fluid is circulated from the chiller unit through the at least one coil, and wherein ambient air is passed from at least one air intake channel of the at least one turbine generator along an outer surface of the at least one coil and into the at least one turbine generator, such that the air is chilled by the chilled fluid.",
    "16. The system of claim 15, wherein the chilled air is taken in by the at least one turbine generator so as to increase the power output of the at least one turbine generator.",
    "17. The system of claim 15, wherein the fluid is returned to the chiller unit after passing through the at least one coil.",
    "18. The system of claim 15, further comprising a condensation tank, wherein condensation formed on the outer surface of the at least one coil after the chilled fluid is circulated from the chiller unit through the at least one coil is contained in the condensation tank."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates generally to hydraulic fracturing and more particularly to systems and methods for improving efficiency of turbine generator operation in order to supply electric power to all components of the hydraulic fracturing operation.\n\nWith advancements in technology over the past few decades, the ability to reach unconventional sources of hydrocarbons has tremendously increased. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are two such ways that new developments in technology have led to hydrocarbon production from previously unreachable shale formations. Hydraulic fracturing (fracturing) operations typically require powering numerous components in order to recover oil and gas resources from the ground. For example, hydraulic fracturing usually includes pumps that inject fracturing fluid down the wellbore, blenders that mix proppant into the fluid, cranes, wireline units, and many other components that all must perform different functions to carry out fracturing operations.\n\nUsually in fracturing systems, the fracturing equipment runs on diesel motors or by other internal combustion engines. Such engines may be very powerful, but have certain disadvantages. Diesel is more expensive, is less environmentally friendly, less safe, and heavier to transport than natural gas. For example, diesel engines are very heavy, and so require the use of a large amount of heavy equipment, including trailers and trucks, to transport the engines to and from a wellsite.",
  "cpc": [
    "F02C 7/143",
    "E21B 43/26",
    "E21B 43/2607",
    "F01D 15/08",
    "F01D 15/10",
    "F02C 7/16",
    "F04B 17/03",
    "F04B 19/22",
    "F04B 23/04",
    "F04B 35/04",
    "F04B 47/00",
    "F04B 47/02",
    "F04B 49/20",
    "F05D 2220/76",
    "F05D 2260/213",
    "H02K 7/1823"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E21B 43/26",
    "F01D 15/08",
    "F01D 15/10",
    "F02C 7/143",
    "F02C 7/16",
    "F04B 17/03",
    "F04B 19/22",
    "F04B 23/04",
    "F04B 35/04",
    "F04B 47/00",
    "F04B 47/02",
    "F04B 49/20",
    "H02K 7/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US Well Services LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jared Oehring",
    "Brandon N. Hinderliter"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-05-31",
  "publication_date": "2020-08-04",
  "grant_date": "2020-08-04",
  "priority_date": "2012-11-16",
  "application_number": "US-201815994759-A",
  "family_id": "59385461",
  "cited_by_count": 58,
  "citations": [
    "US1656861A",
    "US1671436A",
    "US2004077A",
    "US2183364A",
    "US2220622A",
    "US2248051A",
    "US2416848A",
    "US2407796A",
    "US2753940A",
    "US3061039A",
    "US3066503A",
    "US3302069A",
    "US3334495A",
    "US3722595A",
    "US3764233A",
    "US3837179A",
    "US3773140A",
    "US3849662A",
    "US3881551A",
    "US4037431A",
    "US4100822A",
    "US4151575A",
    "US4226299A",
    "US4265266A",
    "US4456092A",
    "US4442665A",
    "US4432064A",
    "US4506982A",
    "US4512387A",
    "US4676063A",
    "US4529887A",
    "US4538916A",
    "US4759674A",
    "US5006044A",
    "US4793386A",
    "US4922463A",
    "US4845981A",
    "US5025861A",
    "US5050673A",
    "US5130628A",
    "US5366324A",
    "US5172009A",
    "US5189388A",
    "US5131472A",
    "US5422550A",
    "US5548093A",
    "US5865247A",
    "US5736838A",
    "US5655361A",
    "US6254462B1",
    "US5590976A",
    "US5790972A",
    "US6936947B1",
    "US5755096A",
    "US5879137A",
    "US5894888A",
    "US5907970A",
    "US6273193B1",
    "US6208098B1",
    "US8096891B2",
    "US6164910A",
    "US6142878A",
    "US6138764A",
    "US6271637B1",
    "US6529135B1",
    "US6202702B1",
    "US6315523B1",
    "US6477852B2",
    "CA2406801A1",
    "US6484490B1",
    "US20060052903A1",
    "US6491098B1",
    "US7500642B2",
    "US20020169523A1",
    "US8760657B2",
    "US6802690B2",
    "US20030056514A1",
    "US7336514B2",
    "US20030138327A1",
    "US6776227B2",
    "US7082993B2",
    "CA2482943A1",
    "US20080017369A1",
    "US20040040746A1",
    "US6931310B2",
    "US20050061548A1",
    "US20040102109A1",
    "US20040167738A1",
    "JP2004264589A",
    "US6808303B2",
    "US20070278140A1",
    "US20050116541A1",
    "US7170262B2",
    "US7104233B2",
    "US20090065299A1",
    "US20050274508A1",
    "US20100045109A1",
    "US7563076B2",
    "US7581379B2",
    "US7308933B1",
    "US7494263B2",
    "US7173399B2",
    "US20060260331A1",
    "US7525264B2",
    "US20080236818A1",
    "US20090200035A1",
    "US20070131410A1",
    "US20080208478A1",
    "US7445041B2",
    "US7807048B2",
    "US20070187163A1",
    "US20070201305A1",
    "US20170369258A1",
    "US20120205400A1",
    "US20070226089A1",
    "US8857506B2",
    "US7683499B2",
    "US7845413B2",
    "US20070277982A1",
    "US7835140B2",
    "US20080041596A1",
    "US7312593B1",
    "US20080217024A1",
    "US20080137266A1",
    "US20080112802A1",
    "AU2007340913A1",
    "US7977824B2",
    "US9160168B2",
    "US20130199617A1",
    "US9738461B2",
    "US8573303B2",
    "US20080264625A1",
    "US20080264649A1",
    "US20080264640A1",
    "US8139383B2",
    "US8774972B2",
    "US8727068B2",
    "US7675189B2",
    "US20120205301A1",
    "US20090045782A1",
    "US7755310B2",
    "US20100200224A1",
    "US20090260826A1",
    "US20090078410A1",
    "US8083504B2",
    "US20090093317A1",
    "US20090090504A1",
    "US20090095482A1",
    "US7717193B2",
    "US8146665B2",
    "US20090145611A1",
    "US20090153354A1",
    "US8154419B2",
    "US8272439B2",
    "US8037936B2",
    "US20090188181A1",
    "US20110017468A1",
    "US8646521B2",
    "US9051822B2",
    "US8096354B2",
    "US7926562B2",
    "US20090308602A1",
    "US20110247878A1",
    "US8534235B2",
    "US20100000508A1",
    "US20100019574A1",
    "US20100038907A1",
    "US20100051272A1",
    "US8596056B2",
    "US20100132949A1",
    "US20100101785A1",
    "US7894757B2",
    "US8692408B2",
    "US20100146981A1",
    "US20100250139A1",
    "US20100172202A1",
    "US20100303655A1",
    "US8851860B1",
    "US20100293973A1",
    "US8054084B2",
    "US8807960B2",
    "CA2707269A1",
    "US8354817B2",
    "US20100322802A1",
    "US8310272B2",
    "US8616005B1",
    "US20110061855A1",
    "US20110085924A1",
    "US8899940B2",
    "US8232892B2",
    "US20110166046A1",
    "US20110005757A1",
    "US20120018016A1",
    "US8261528B2",
    "US9915128B2",
    "CA2797081A1",
    "US20190178057A1",
    "US10196878B2",
    "CA3050131A1",
    "US20110272158A1",
    "US8616274B2",
    "CN201687513U",
    "US20120049625A1",
    "US8905056B2",
    "US20120085541A1",
    "US8838341B2",
    "CN101977016A",
    "US20120127635A1",
    "US8474521B2",
    "US20140000899A1",
    "US20120222865A1",
    "US20120232728A1",
    "US20120247783A1",
    "US9366114B2",
    "US20160208594A1",
    "US20150068724A1",
    "US9103193B2",
    "US20150068754A1",
    "US20160326855A1",
    "CA2966672A1",
    "US20180363437A1",
    "CA2955706A1",
    "US20120255734A1",
    "US9121257B2",
    "US20160208593A1",
    "US20150097504A1",
    "CN202023547U",
    "US9119326B2",
    "US20130009469A1",
    "US20130025706A1",
    "US9976351B2",
    "US10309205B2",
    "US20140246211A1",
    "US20130175039A1",
    "CA3000322A1",
    "CA2849825A1",
    "US8800652B2",
    "US20170313499A1",
    "US20170021318A1",
    "US20150053426A1",
    "US9458687B2",
    "US20130175038A1",
    "US9175554B1",
    "US20140379300A1",
    "US20130233542A1",
    "US9863228B2",
    "CN102602322A",
    "US9067182B2",
    "US20130306322A1",
    "US8905138B2",
    "US20130343858A1",
    "US20130341029A1",
    "US20140010671A1",
    "US20150175013A1",
    "US8997904B2",
    "US20150217672A1",
    "CA2787814A1",
    "US20140054965A1",
    "US20140060658A1",
    "US20150225113A1",
    "US20140095114A1",
    "US9140110B2",
    "US20140096974A1",
    "US20170036178A1",
    "US20170037718A1",
    "US9475020B2",
    "US20150300145A1",
    "US9475021B2",
    "US9206684B2",
    "US20140124162A1",
    "US9322239B2",
    "US20140174717A1",
    "US20160319650A1",
    "US20170030177A1",
    "US9995218B2",
    "US20160032703A1",
    "US20160105022A1",
    "US20170022788A1",
    "US20150211524A1",
    "US20170028368A1",
    "US20170030178A1",
    "US10407990B2",
    "US10232332B2",
    "US9840901B2",
    "US20160349728A1",
    "US20160348479A1",
    "US20170314380A1",
    "US8789601B2",
    "US9745840B2",
    "US9410410B2",
    "US10254732B2",
    "US20170037717A1",
    "US20140138079A1",
    "US20170218727A1",
    "US20170218843A1",
    "US20170222409A1",
    "US9650871B2",
    "US9650879B2",
    "US20160326854A1",
    "US20160273328A1",
    "US9611728B2",
    "CA2833711A1",
    "US20170096885A1",
    "US20160290114A1",
    "US20150330172A1",
    "US9018881B2",
    "US20140219824A1",
    "US20140255214A1",
    "US20150114652A1",
    "US20160312108A1",
    "US20160230525A1",
    "US20160281484A1",
    "US20140251623A1",
    "US20140277772A1",
    "US20140290768A1",
    "US20150027712A1",
    "US9450385B2",
    "US20150075778A1",
    "US20150083426A1",
    "US20150136043A1",
    "US9728354B2",
    "US9963961B2",
    "US20150144336A1",
    "US20150159911A1",
    "US20150176386A1",
    "US20170022807A1",
    "US10227854B2",
    "US20150252661A1",
    "US20150211512A1",
    "US10287873B2",
    "US20160265457A1",
    "US10436026B2",
    "US10393108B2",
    "US20170159570A1",
    "US20170016433A1",
    "US20150300336A1",
    "US20150314225A1",
    "US20190292891A1",
    "US20170146189A1",
    "US10260327B2",
    "US20150354322A1",
    "US10008880B2",
    "US20170114625A1",
    "US20170226842A1",
    "US20170241221A1",
    "US20160102537A1",
    "US20170234250A1",
    "US20160160889A1",
    "US20170314979A1",
    "US20160186531A1",
    "US20170104389A1",
    "US20160177675A1",
    "US20160369609A1",
    "US9562420B2",
    "US9534473B2",
    "US10378326B2",
    "US20190203572A1",
    "US20160177678A1",
    "US20170328179A1",
    "US9587649B2",
    "US20160208592A1",
    "US20160208595A1",
    "US20160221220A1",
    "US20160230524A1",
    "CA2919649A1",
    "CA2919666A1",
    "CA2978706A1",
    "US10246984B2",
    "US20190226317A1",
    "US20160258267A1",
    "WO2016144939A1",
    "WO2016160458A1",
    "US20160290563A1",
    "US20160341281A1",
    "US9932799B2",
    "US20180028992A1",
    "US20170036872A1",
    "CA2944980A1",
    "US20170051732A1",
    "US20180216455A1",
    "US20180245428A1",
    "CA2945579A1",
    "CA3006422A1",
    "CA3018485A1",
    "US20170259227A1",
    "US20170292513A1",
    "CA2964593A1",
    "US20190128080A1",
    "US20190292866A1",
    "US20190203567A1",
    "US20180038216A1",
    "US20190162061A1",
    "US20190178235A1",
    "US20190211661A1",
    "US20180320483A1",
    "US20190003329A1",
    "US20190010793A1",
    "US10280724B2",
    "US20190063309A1",
    "US10371012B2",
    "US20190100989A1",
    "US20190112910A1",
    "US20190120024A1",
    "US20190169971A1",
    "US20190245348A1",
    "US20190316447A1"
  ]
}