Multi-inlet frack head system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10294766-B2
Application number	US-201815874314-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 18, 2018
Priority date	Jan 19, 2017
Publication date	May 21, 2019
Grant date	May 21, 2019

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) having a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH, the first inlet channel being substantially perpendicular to an axis of the MIFH and directing fluid into a first flow passage of the MIFH. The MIFH also includes a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH, the second inlet channel being at an angle relative to the axis and directing fluid into the first flow passage of the MIFH.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) for directing a high pressure fracturing fluid into a wellbore, the MIFH comprising:
a plurality of angled faces, forming at least a portion of a body of the MIFH, at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the MIFH, each angled face having an inlet for receiving the fracturing fluid;
a plurality of vertical faces, forming at least a portion of the body of the MIFH, positioned radially about the axis, a vertical face of the plurality of vertical faces being at least partially between adjacent angled faces of the plurality of angled faces, and each vertical face having an inlet for receiving the fracturing fluid;
a flow path within the body of the MIFH, the flow path receiving the fluid from the respective inlets of the angled faces and the vertical faces, wherein a first fluid flow from the vertical faces contacts a second fluid flow from the angled faces within the flow path.

2. The MIFH of claim 1 , further comprising:
a first flow path upstream of the flow path;
a first transition between the first flow path and the flow path, wherein the first transition is at a first angle relative to the axis;
a second flow path downstream of the flow path; and
a second transition between the second flow path and the flow path, wherein the second transition is at a second angle relative to the axis.

3. The MIFH of claim 2 , wherein the first angle and the second angle are not equal.

4. The MIFH of claim 1 , further comprising;
a first inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH from the respective inlet on a vertical face of the plurality of vertical faces, wherein the first inlet channel is substantially perpendicular to the axis;
a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH from the respective inlet on an angled face of the plurality of angled faces, wherein the second inlet channel is positioned at an inlet angle relative to the axis; and
wherein the first fluid flow from the first inlet channel contacts the second fluid flow at a mixing point to dissipate energy from the second fluid flow and block at least a portion of the second fluid flow from impinging on the body of the MIFH.

5. The MIFH of claim 4 , further comprising:
an area opposite an outlet of the second inlet channel, the area positioned downstream of the outlet;
wherein at least a portion of the second fluid flow is blocked from impinging on the area due to the interaction between the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow at the mixing point.

6. The MIFH of claim 1 , further comprising an upper face substantially perpendicular to the axis.

7. The MIFH of claim 1 , further comprising a mating component at a bottom end, the mating component comprising a flange.

8. A multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) for directing a high pressure fracturing fluid into a wellbore, the MIFH comprising:
a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH, the first inlet channel being substantially perpendicular to an axis of the MIFH and directing fluid into a first flow passage of the MIFH;
a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH, the second inlet channel being at an angle relative to the axis and directing fluid into the first flow passage of the MIFH;
a second flow passage coupled to the first flow passage, the second flow passage downstream of the first flow passage and having a smaller diameter than the first flow passage; and
a transition between the first flow passage and the second flow passage, the transition gradually reducing a difference in diameter between the first flow passage and the second flow passage.

9. The MIFH of claim 8 , wherein the transition comprises a substantially frustoconical shape.

10. The MIFH of claim 8 , wherein the angle is less the 90 degrees.

11. The MIFH of claim 8 , wherein an outlet of the first inlet channel is upstream of an outlet of the second inlet channel.

12. The MIFH of claim 8 , wherein an outlet of the first inlet channel is downstream of an outlet of the second inlet channel.

13. The MIFH of claim 8 , further comprising a mixing point within the first flow passage, wherein a first fluid flow from the first inlet channel and a second fluid flow from the second inlet channel interact at least partially at the mixing point to reduce a force acting on the body of the MIFH.

14. The MIFH of claim 8 , further comprising:
a third flow passage upstream of the first flow passage; and
a second transition between the third flow passage and the first flow passage, wherein a diameter of the third flow passage is less than a diameter of the first flow passage.

15. The MIFH of claim 8 , wherein a first inlet diameter of the first inlet channel is substantially equal to a second inlet diameter of the second inlet channel.

16. The MIFH of claim 15 , wherein the first and second inlet diameters are less than a diameter of the first flow passage.

17. A system for performing hydraulic fracturing operations on a wellbore, the system comprising:
a casing head;
a fracturing tree coupled to the casing head; and
a multi-inlet fracturing head (MIFH) arranged at a top portion of the fracturing tree, the MIFH receiving a high pressure fracturing fluid from a source and directing the high pressure fracturing fluid into the wellbore, wherein the MIFH comprises:
a first inlet channel extending through a body of the MIFH for directing fluid into a first flow passage; and
a second inlet channel extending through the body of the MIFH for directing fluid into the first flow passage;
wherein the first and second inlet channels intersect a longitudinal axis of the MIFH at different vertical heights, and are arranged at different angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the MIFH.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the MIFH further comprises:
a second flow passage downstream of the first flow passage; and
a transition between the first flow passage and the second flow passage, the transition having a transition angle to gradually reduce a cross-sectional flow area within the body.

19. The system of claim 17 , wherein an outlet of the first inlet channel is upstream of an outlet of the second inlet channel.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein an outlet of the first inlet channel is downstream of an outlet of the second inlet channel.

Assignees

• Ge Oil & Gas Pressure Control Lp

Inventors

• Saleh Shadi Moaness
• Fuller Timothy
• Saleem Fauad
• Hegde Gajanan
• Kajaria Saurabh

Classifications

• F16L41/02

  Branch units, e.g. made in one piece, welded, riveted · CPC title

• E21B33/068

  having provision for introducing objects or fluids into, or removing objects from, wells (cementing-heads E21B33/05) · CPC title

• E21B33/038

  Connectors used on well heads, e.g. for connecting blow-out preventer and riser · CPC title

• E21B43/26 Primary

  by forming crevices or fractures · CPC title

• E21B43/2607 Primary

  Surface equipment specially adapted for fracturing operations · CPC title