Mixing Tank and Method of Use

Abstract

A method of transmitting a fluid into an oil well bore provides a frame supporting a vessel, the vessel having an interior, upper and lower end portions, a conically shaped side wall, and an outlet for discharging the fluid from the vessel. A viscous polymeric material is added to the vessel interior. A discharge pipe having a vertical section is placed below the vessel, the discharge pipe being in communication with the outlet. A positive displacement pump is contained within the discharge pipe. The pump transmits fluid from the outlet into the discharge pipe downstream of the vertical pipe section or pump. The fluid is selectively transmitted to either the vessel interior (for recirculating) or into the well. Air is added to the discharge flow line downstream of the pump.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting a viscous polymeric fluid into an oil well bore, comprising the steps of: a) providing a frame supporting a vessel, the vessel having an interior, upper and lower end portions, a vessel top, a vessel side wall, an inlet on the vessel top and an outlet for discharging the fluid from the vessel, the frame including one or more feet that space the vessel above an underlying support surface; b) adding a viscous material to the vessel interior; c) placing a discharge pipe section in communication with the outlet and at least in part below the vessel, the discharge pipe section being in communication with the outlet; d) placing a positive displacement pump downstream of said outlet and in fluid communication with the discharge pipe section, said pump positioned to transmit the fluid from the outlet into the discharge pipe downstream of the pipe section; e) selectively transmitting the fluid into the well or not circulating the fluid into the well; and f) wherein in step “e” a mixer inside the vessel enables the viscous material to be stirred, the mixer rotated with a drive shaft.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “d” the pump includes screw conveyor.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the side wall extends to the outlet and placing the positive displacement pump entirely below the vessel side wall.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein in step “b” the viscous material includes a fluid loss control product.

5. (canceled)

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the vessel gradually tapers downwardly to provide a larger upper portion and a smaller lower portion.

7-8. (canceled)

9. The method of claim 2 wherein drive shaft extends above the vessel top.

10. A method of transmitting a viscous polymeric fluid material into an oil well bore, comprising the steps of: a) providing a frame supporting a vessel, the frame having a lower end portion that engages an underlying support surface and spacing the vessel above the underlying support surface, the vessel having an interior, upper and lower end portions, a vessel side wall, and an outlet for discharging the fluid from the vessel; b) adding a polymeric fluid material to the vessel interior that is a fluid loss control product; c) placing a discharge pipe section below the vessel, the discharge pipe section being in communication with the outlet; d) placing a positive displacement pump in fluid communication with the discharge pipe, said pump transmitting the fluid from the outlet into the discharge pipe downstream of the vessel outlet; e) selectively transmitting the fluid to either into the well or not transmitting the fluid into the well; and f) wherein in step “e” a mixer inside the vessel enables the polymeric fluid material to be stirred, the mixer rotated with a drive shaft motor drive.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein a drive shaft rotates the mixer and the drive shaft extends above the vessel.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein in step “d” the mixer includes an auger.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the side wall extends to the outlet and placing the positive displacement pump entirely below the side wall.

14. (canceled)

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising adding air to the discharge pipe section downstream of the outlet.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein the vessel gradually tapers downwardly to provide a larger upper portion and a smaller lower portion.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein a drive shaft rotates the mixer inside the vessel.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the drive shaft rotates the mixer and part of the pump.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the drive shaft attaches to a motor drive above the vessel.

20. (canceled)

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0048] For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

[0049] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral 10. Mixing apparatus 10 and its method contemplate the addition of a viscous and/or polymeric fluid into the well bore of an oil/gas well as part of well control. Such products can include fluid loss control products such as for example “Safe-Link” from MiSwaco (www.miswaco.com). In FIG. 1, a vessel 11 is provided, supported upon frame or legs 30. Vessel 11 has interior 12. Vessel 11 has a tapered wall or cone 13. Vessel 11 has a larger upper end portion 14 and smaller lower end portion 15 due to the conical shape of the side wall or cone 13. The lower end portion 15 has an outlet which enables fluid to be discharged from vessel 11 interior 12.

[0051] A lid or cover 17 is provided on upper end portion of vessel 11. Lid or cover 17 can be hingedly mounted upon upper end portion 14 of vessel 11. Handle 18 on lid or cover 17 enables a user to open or close the vessel 11 such as when adding fluid to vessel interior 12. A drive shaft 19 rotates auger 20. The drive shaft 19 can also rotate screw conveyor 21 or a positive displacement pump. The screw conveyor 21 or positive displacement pump can be contained within a vertical section 31 of discharge piping 22. Air is preferably added to discharge piping 22 such as via air injector or air inlet 23.

[0052] Valve 24 is a directional valve that enables fluid to be either recirculated back to vessel 11 are transmitted into an oil well bore. In FIG. 1, flow line 26 is a recirculation flow line that transmits fluid from valve 24 to vessel 11 interior 12. FIG. 1 also illustrates transfer of fluid from valve 24 into a well bore as indicated schematically by the numeral 27. Valve 24 can be operated to send flow to either vessel 11 or to the well bore using an operator 25.

[0053] The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the various elements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

TABLE-US-00002 PARTS LIST PART NO. DESCRIPTION 10 mixer apparatus 11 vessel 12 vessel interior 13 cone/tapered wall 14 upper end portion 15 lower end portion 16 outlet 17 lid/cover 18 handle 19 drive shaft 20 auger 21 screw conveyor/positive displacement pump 22 discharge pipe 23 air injector/air inlet 24 valve 25 operator 26 return flow line 27 arrow - flow to well 28 motor 29 gear box 30 frame/legs 31 vertical section

[0054] All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise.

[0055] The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.