An electrically driven oilfield blender system is configured to utilize electric motors as electric prime movers to prepare frac slurry and move the frac slurry to an oilfield pressure pumping system or pressure pumper that pumps the frac slurry into a subterranean formation. Each of the prime mover electric motors may operate at a fixed or constant rated speed and may be connected to a transmission that can drive a device such as a feed pump for a mixing tub or an auxiliary device at a variable speed. An electro-hydraulic motor start system includes an electric motor that powers a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump drives hydraulic motors that pre-rotate the prime mover electric motors to their rated speeds before they are energized.

Systems and methods for recovering dry bulk material from a blender at a job site are provided. The systems include at least one container having in which dry bulk material can be placed and a skid-mounted vacuum unit comprising a tank having an interior space and an outlet for interfacing with the inlet of the container when the vacuum unit is positioned proximate to the container, a vacuum pump in communication with the interior space of the tank, and a conduit coupled to an inlet of the vacuum pump for interfacing with an inlet of a blender.

A piping manifold that combines multiple solids fluidizers with a common motive fluid connection and a common slurry discharge connection. The manifold utilizes flexible pipe materials to connect the individual fluidizer feed and discharge connections to a distribution and a collection hub that are combined into a single structure with a common dividing plate between the distribution and collection chambers. An adjustable support structure that allows adjustable positioning of the individual fluidizers without customized design, manufacturing or modification of the manifold.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a manifold, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The manifold has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the manifold, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+(4.4-48.9 C+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

A system and method is provided for direct condensing steam heating of oil sands process slurry streams including viscous bitumen froth and tailings products streams. Slurry viscosities greater than that of water increase cavitation and vibration issues. High solids content exacerbate component erosions. Difficult, and competing, steam and slurry interactions are managed by steam nozzle arrangements and management of steam injection at sub-sonic velocities based on a ratio of the slurry back-pressure Pb and steam supply delivery pressure Po.

A cold water saponification method is disclosed. The method is for preferred use in industrial applications such as mining operations wherein saponification of fatty acids is required. Broadly, the method comprises the steps of filling a tank with a solution comprising water, a base and fatty acids, installing a mixer capable of creating a vortex in order to effectively saponify fatty acid particles. The use of a high-shear mixer installed vertically has been proven successful in saponifying fatty acids in cold water.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a mixer, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The mixer has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the mixer, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4-48.9 C+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to surge tanks or to mixing tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the mixing tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

The present invention provides a method and system for providing on-site electrical power to a fracturing operation, and an electrically powered fracturing system. Natural gas can be used to drive a turbine generator in the production of electrical power. A scalable, electrically powered fracturing fleet is provided to pump fluids for the fracturing operation, obviating the need for a constant supply of diesel fuel to the site and reducing the site footprint and infrastructure required for the fracturing operation, when compared with conventional systems.

Embodiments relate to a hydraulic fracturing system that includes a blender unit. The system includes an auger and hopper assembly to receive proppant from a proppant source and feed the proppant to the blender unit for mixing with a fluid. A first power source is used to power the blender unit in order to mix the proppant with the fluid and prepare a fracturing slurry. A second power source independently powers the auger and hopper assembly in order to align the hopper of the auger and hopper assembly with a proppant feed from the proppant source. Thus, the auger and hopper assembly can be stowed or deployed without use of the first power source, which is the main power supply to the blender unit.

A cavitation device is supplied by a disc pump with fluids for mixing. A cavitation rotor, having an array of cavities on its cylindrical surface, is fixed to a shaft for rotation by a motor. The disc pump and the cavitation device are beneficially in the same housing. At least one disc is spaced from and attached to the rotor near the inlet end of the cylindrical housing, so it will rotate with the rotor. A central hole in the (at least one) disc permits fluid to enter the space between the disc and the rotor; it is flung toward the peripheral space between the rotor and the cylindrical housing, where it is subjected to cavitation, and then passed to an outlet. The shaft may pass through one or both of the end walls of the cylindrical housing. The cavitation pump is especially useful for mixing oil field fluids.