System for fueling electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment with multiple fuel sources

{
  "publication_number": "US10927802B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "System for fueling electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment with multiple fuel sources",
  "abstract": "A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system can include 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; at least one generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; a gas compression system fluidly coupled to the at least one generator so as to provide fuel for use by the at least one generator; and a combustible fuel vaporization system gaseously coupled to the gas compression system so as to provide at least one of vaporized fuel or gasified fuel, or a combination thereof, to the gas compression system.",
  "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; a gas compression system fluidly coupled to the at least one turbine generator so as to provide fuel for use by the at least one turbine generator; and at least one of: a liquid fuel source; and a solid fuel source, wherein each of the liquid fuel source and the solid fuel source are configured to supply fuel to the gas compression system after conversion into the gaseous state.",
    "2. 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.",
    "3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the liquid fuel source and the solid fuel source comprise at least one of a hydrogen-based, hydrocarbon-based, or alcohol-based fuel source, or any combination thereof.",
    "4. The system of claim 3, wherein the liquid fuel source comprises any of a kerosene, methanol, No. 2 fuel oil, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG), substitute natural gas (SNG), liquid hydrocarbon, or ammonia fuel source, or any combination thereof.",
    "5. The system of claim 3, wherein the solid fuel source comprises any of a wood gas or coal gas fuel source, or a combination thereof.",
    "6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an inert gas source, wherein an inert gas is provided to regulate the liquid fuel source or the solid fuel source prior to providing fuel for use by the at least one turbine generator.",
    "7. The system of claim 6, wherein the inert gas source comprises at least one of an oxygen-lean or a nitrogen-rich inert gas source, or a combination thereof.",
    "8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one filter configured to filter at least one of particulates, water, or condensate, or a combination thereof, from at least one of the liquid fuel source and the solid fuel source."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This disclosure relates generally to hydraulic fracturing and more particularly to systems and methods for fueling electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment using turbine generators fueled by multiple fuel sources.\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 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 is powered by large 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 well site. In addition, such engines are not clean, generating large amounts of exhaust and pollutants that may cause environmental hazards, and are extremely loud, among other problems.",
  "cpc": [
    "F02M 37/32",
    "E21B 43/26",
    "E21B 43/2607",
    "F02B 2043/103",
    "F02B 43/08",
    "F02B 43/10",
    "F02B 63/04",
    "F04B 17/03",
    "F04B 35/04",
    "F04B 47/02",
    "F04B 49/20",
    "H02K 7/1815",
    "H02K 7/1823",
    "H02P 21/00",
    "H02P 29/0241"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "E21B 43/26",
    "F02B 43/08",
    "F02M 37/32",
    "F04B 35/04",
    "H02K 7/18",
    "H02P 21/00",
    "F02B 43/10",
    "F02B 63/04",
    "F04B 17/03",
    "F04B 47/02",
    "F04B 49/20",
    "H02P 29/024"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "US Well Services LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jared Oehring",
    "Brandon N. Hinderliter"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2018-05-31",
  "publication_date": "2021-02-23",
  "grant_date": "2021-02-23",
  "priority_date": "2012-11-16",
  "application_number": "US-201815994772-A",
  "family_id": "59386454",
  "cited_by_count": 86,
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