Lubrication manifold

Abstract

The current invention includes manifold having multiple outputs and at least one input for lubricant to be pumped at high pressure from a skid or trailer to a particular frac valve when the valve requires lubrication. Generally, such frac valves require lubrication on an hourly schedule or less. Each output port on the manifold is fitted with an on/off valve that allows remote operation such as pneumatic, hydraulic, electro-pneumatic operation, or other known remote operation system. The pump or pumps are also configured for remote operation. A controller is then provided so that each circuit allows, upon command, lubricant to be pumped from the lubricant reservoir, through the pump, to the manifold, through each remotely operable valve, via each output port, through an appropriate rated hose, then to the lubrication or other port on each frac valve. Generally, once connected each frac valve remains connected to the system to allow the operator to cause lubricant to flow to each valve upon command. The controller may also provide a safety cutout so that the system will only provide pressurized lubricant with the controller in the operator's possession while the operator continuously actuates the appropriate switch.

Claims

1. A lubrication system comprising: a pump, wherein the pump provides fluid at 10,000 psi or greater, further wherein the pump is remotely operable, a manifold having an input port, a first output port, and a second output port, wherein the pump is in fluid communication with the input port, a remotely operable first valve in fluid communication with the first output port and a continuously connected first frac valve, a remotely operable second valve in fluid communication with the second output port and a continuously connected second frac valve, at least two check valves in fluid communication with the manifold, and a pressure gauge disposed in fluid communication between the at least two check valves and the continuously connected first and second frac valves.

2. The lubrication system of claim 1 further comprising a control pendant wherein the controller activates or deactivates the pump, the remotely operable first valve, and the remotely operable second valve.

3. The lubrication system of claim 2 wherein, the control pendant allows each of the remotely operable first valve and the remotely operable second valve to operate independently.

4. The lubrication system of claim 2 wherein, the control pendant allows activation of the remotely operable first valve and the remotely operable second valve only when the pump is activated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the control pendant 10.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic of the pump system depicting the pump side and the lubricant manifold side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(3) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the control pendant 10. The control pendant 10 has at least three features. A pump module 20, a master hold down switch 12, and lubricant actuation valve switches 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38. In this instance only five lubricant actuation valve switches are shown. More or less lubricant actuation valve switches may be utilized as desired.

(4) The pump module 20 controls the lubricant pump and as shown is configured for the first pump switch 24 and a second pump switch 26, although a single pump is typically used. In this case the second pump is a backup pump in case the first pump fails or if the pump being used should run out of grease or lubricant.

(5) To actuate the system and pump lubricant into a valve at the wellhead the pump module toggle 22 is set to the left pump 24 or to the right pump 26 to close or actuate this particular portion of the circuit which in turn provides power to the pumps providing pressure to the system. The master hold down switch 12 is generally closed, typically depressed, in order to actuate any of the pumps or circuits. Finally, any of the lubricant actuation valve switches 32, 30, 34, 36, or 38 must be closed in order to energize the circuit thereby energizing the corresponding solenoid and opening the corresponding valve. For instance, provided the rest of the circuit is activated, when lubricant actuation valve switch 34 is closed the circuit is energized to actuate solenoid 44. When solenoid 44 is actuated the associated lubricant valve opens allowing lubricant to flow from the lubricant pump into the wellhead to the particular frac valve where lubricant is required. While an electrical actuation system has been described, other actuation systems may be utilized such as hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, radio, optical, or any other actuation system known in the industry.

(6) The pump system depicted in FIG. 2 has a pump side 100 and a lubricant manifold side 200. The pump side shows a first pump 102 and a second pump 104. Preferably each pump is pneumatically operated having an approximately 100 psi air pressure input that drives the pump to supply lubricant at approximately 15,000 psi. The output pressure of the pneumatic pump depends upon the input air pressure and area of the pneumatic piston as compared to the area of the output piston typically pneumatic pumps provide output pressure at between 10,000 psi and 20,000 psi, although this case the optimal pressure is 15,000 psi. The output of the first pump 102 flows through line 106 into check valve 108 while the output of the second pump 104 flows through line 110 to check valve 112. Each of the check valves 108 and 112 allow lubricant to flow out of its respective pump but does not allow lubricant or other fluid to flow back towards the pump. As the fluid flows out of either pump 102 or 104 it flows into a junction in this case a four-way junction 114. In addition to the output from check valve 108 and 112 the four-way junction 114 has a port for a pressure gauge 116 and the output port 118. The output port 118 flows into line 120 and is connected to a three way valve 122. The three way valve 122 has input from line 120 and has a port 124 connected to a valve 126. The valve 126 can be used to bleed pressure from the system, to connect via a hose (not shown) directly to the wellhead valve that needs to be lubricated, or may connect to another set of lubricant pumps. Additionally, the three way valve 122 has an output line 160. The output line 160 is connected to the lubricant manifold 202. The lubricant manifold has a number of ports such as port 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214. In this instance for 214 is an input port and is connected to line 160 from the three way valve 122 and provides lubricant to an internal cavity within lubricant manifold 202. The lubricant then flows into the internal cavity within lubricant manifold 202. Each of the ports 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212 is an output port and is in fluid communication with the internal cavity within lubricant manifold 202. While in this instance five ports are shown more ports or fewer ports may be provided as required. Each output port 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212 is connected to a valve that controls lubricant flow from the lubricant manifold 202 through the particular port and into the wellhead valve needing lubrication. In this instance each of the valves such as valves 220, 222, is an electromechanical valve such as a solenoid actuated as previously described to open a fluid path allowing fluid to flow from the lubricant manifold 202 and into the wellhead or frac valve needing lubrication.

(7) Preferably the entire system including the air supply, the lubricant pump, and the lubrication manifold are mounted on a single transportable skid, trailer or other mobile mounting system.

(8) While the embodiments are described with reference to various implementations and exploitations, it will be understood that these embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the inventive subject matter is not limited to them. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements are possible.

(9) Plural instances may be provided for components, operations or structures described herein as a single instance. In general, structures and functionality presented as separate components in the exemplary configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the inventive subject matter.