RU2685307C2 - Systems and methods of hydration - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: mining.SUBSTANCE: substantially continuous stream of a water-based fluid and a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration are bonded to create a substantially continuous gel stream having a second concentration. Second concentration is considerably lower than the first concentration.EFFECT: gel, having a second concentration, can then be used for downhole hydraulic fracturing of the formation.20 cl, 10 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

[1] This application claims priority on the U.S. temporary application. Provisional Application No. 61 / 991,685 under the name “Continuous Gel Mixing Apparatus and Method,” Attorney Docket No. IS14.8447-US-PSP, registered May 12, 2014, is generally included in this document by reference.

Background of the invention

[2] High-viscosity fluid mixtures or gels containing hydratable material and / or additives, miscible with water and / or other hydrating fluid, are used in hydraulic fracturing and other underground well treatment operations. These high viscosity fluid mixtures are compiled at the well site or transported to the well site from a remote site. Hydration is a process in which the hydratable material is solvated, absorbed and / or otherwise reacts with the hydrating fluid, creating a fluid mixture with high viscosity. The degree of hydration of the hydrated material can be increased by maintaining the hydrated material in the hydrating fluid at the stage of the method during the holding time, for example, which can take place in one or more hydration tanks.

[3] Hydration and the associated increase in viscosity occurs over a period of time corresponding to the time that the hydrated material is kept in the hydrating fluid. Thus, the hydration rate of the hydrated material is a factor in the hydration operations, which is especially thoroughly investigated in the continuous hydration operation, by means of which a high-viscosity fluid mixture is continuously produced at the work site along the drilling site. To obtain sufficient hydration and / or viscosity, tanks of considerable length or a sequence of large tanks are used, providing sufficient material for the hydrated material and, therefore, a holding time in a hydrating fluid. Such tanks are transported to the drilling site or place near the site. For example, a hydratable material can be mixed with a hydrating fluid prior to being introduced into the sequence of tanks, and in the process of passing the fluid mixture through the sequence of tanks, the hydrated material can be sufficiently hydrated.

[4] A conventional hydration tank with a gravity flow cannot work with a fluid mixture of high concentration. Therefore, other tanks with large volumes are used to sufficiently dilute the fluid mixture until a sufficiently low viscosity is obtained to allow the fluid mixture to pass through the hydration tank with the gravity flow. Large volumes of hydration tanks occupy a large area, create difficulties in transportation and / or may be non-transportable.

Summary of Invention

[5] This overview provides a collection of concepts, further discussed below in the detailed description of the invention. This review generally does not identify the inherent features of the claimed subject matter and does not limit its scope.

[6] The present invention provides a method that includes moving a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration, moving a substantially continuous stream of an aqueous based fluid and connecting substantially continuously continuous flows of gel having a first concentration and an aqueous fluid basis to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration. The second concentration is significantly lower than the first concentration. The method may also include the use of a gel having a second concentration in the well fracturing.

[7] The present invention also provides a method that includes a substantially continuous supply of hydrated material and hydrating fluid to a mixer, and a substantially continuous operation of a mixer mixing the hydrated material and hydrating fluid to create a first substantially continuous flow. The first substantially continuous stream includes a gel having a first concentration of hydratable material and a first viscosity. The method also includes a substantially continuous movement of the first substantially continuous flow through a closed type hydrator to create a second substantially continuous flow. The second substantially continuous stream comprises a gel having a first concentration of hydratable material and a second viscosity that is significantly greater than the first viscosity. The method also includes a substantially continuous connection of a second substantially continuous stream and a third substantially continuous stream to create a fourth substantially continuous stream. The third substantially continuous stream essentially comprises a water based fluid. The fourth substantially continuous stream comprises a gel having a second concentration of hydratable material that is significantly less than the first concentration. The method also includes the use of a gel from a fourth substantially continuous stream in the well fracture.

[8] The present invention also provides a device that includes a system functionally designed to create a substantially continuous supply of gel having a first concentration of hydratable material for use in a downhole hydraulic fracturing. The system includes a mixer that receives and mixes hydrated material and water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydrated material. The second concentration of hydratable material is significantly higher than the first concentration of hydratable material. The system also includes a closed type tank having an internal flow path through which a substantially continuous flow of gel has a second concentration of hydrated material over a period of time sufficient to allow the gel to increase to a predetermined level of viscosity during a substantially continuous flow hydrated material. The system also includes a diluent functionally configured to dilute substantially with a continuous feed, an increased viscosity gel having a second concentration of hydratable material, with a substantially continuous feeding of a gel having a first concentration of hydratable material.

[9] These and additional aspects of the present invention are set forth in the description below and / or may be considered by a person skilled in the art when reading the materials in this document and / or putting into practice the principles described in this document. At least some aspects of the present invention can be implemented by means specified in the attached claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[10] the Present invention becomes clear from the following detailed description with the attached figures. We specifically point out that according to standard industry practice, various elements are drawn without respecting scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various elements can be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity in consideration.

[11] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

[12] FIG. 2 schematically shows at least a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a device in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[13] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a part of the device shown in FIG. 2 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[14] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a part of the device shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[15] FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of the execution of a part of the device shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[16] FIG. 6 schematically shows at least a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a device according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

[17] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

[18] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[19] FIG. 9 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a part of the device shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.

[20] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[21] It is clear that the following invention provides many different embodiments or examples of different elements of different embodiments. Specific examples of components and devices are described below to simplify the understanding of the present invention. In this description, of course, only examples are given, without imposing restrictions. In addition, reference numerals and / or letters may be repeated in the present description in various examples. This repetition provides simplicity and clarity and does not dictate the relationships between the various options and / or configurations under consideration. In addition, the execution of the first element on or on the second element in the description below may include variants in which the first and second elements are performed in direct contact and may also include variants in which additional elements may be performed between the first and second elements so that the first and second elements may not have direct contact.

[22] FIG. 1 schematically shows at least a portion of an example of an embodiment of a method (10) for creating a fluid mixture according to one or more aspects of the present invention. The resulting fluid mixture may also be referred to herein as a gel.

[23] Method (10) comprises mixing (15) a hydrated material with a hydrating fluid in a mixer at a given ratio to form a fluid mixture having a first concentration of hydrated material in the hydrating fluid. Then the hydrated material is hydrated (20) in the tank to achieve the desired viscosity or degree of hydration. Hydration (20) and the associated increase in viscosity occurs over a period of time when the hydrated material is in a hydrating fluid. The hydrated (20) fluid mixture is then diluted (25) to achieve a second concentration of hydrated material in the hydrating fluid, with the second concentration present after dilution (25) being substantially less than the first concentration present after mixing (15) and hydrating (20 ). Diluted (25) fluid mixture can then be moved downstream and further processed, for example, to create a fracturing fluid.

[24] Therefore, method (10) involves creating by mixing (15) and hydrating (20) a concentrated fluid mixture, having a substantially fixed or other specified first concentration of hydrated material, and then diluting (25) the concentrated fluid mixture to create a diluted fluid mixture having a second lower predetermined concentration of hydratable material. The first and second concentrations and flow rates of the fluid mixtures at the first and second concentrations can be adjusted to meet downstream requirements. In addition, since the concentrated fluid mixture has a volume less than the diluted fluid mixture, in method (10) it is possible to use equipment having a volume and / or occupied area less than the equipment of the hydration method, where the diluted fluid mixture is created directly in the mixer.

[25] The hydrated material may be or contain a gelling agent, such as guar, polymer, synthetic polymer, galactomannan, polysaccharide, cellulose, clay, and / or a combination of them, among other examples, and may be introduced into the mixer as solid particles or liquid concentrate. The hydrating fluid may be or contain water, a water-based fluid or a water-containing solution, among other examples. The resulting fluid mixture can be or contain a material known in the art, as a gel or suspension.

[26] Although methods and devices within the scope of the present invention describe mixing a hydrated material with a hydrating fluid to create a gel or suspension, it is understood that the hydrated material may contain various rheology-modifying materials that are mixed with hydrating or other fluids to create a gel, suspension and / or other fluids with modified rheology, which may have properties of high or low shear resistance, but which may reduce the viscosity of the shear in bemsya present invention. The hydratable material may additionally contain rheology modifying materials, for example, polyacrylamide, fiber, nanoparticles, dry friction reducers, dimeric and trimeric fatty acids, imidazolines, amides and / or synthetic polymers, in addition to other examples of materials that create high viscosity at low shear rates.

[27] FIG. 2 schematically shows at least a part of an exemplary embodiment of the hydration system 100 for creating a fluid mixture by the method (10) shown in FIG. 1, and / or otherwise, according to one or more aspects of the present invention. The hydration system 100 comprises a mixer 105 functionally configured to receive and mix the hydrated material and the hydrating fluid. For example, a hydratable material can be mixed with a hydrating fluid at a rate of about 120 pounds (54 kg) of hydratable material per about 1000 pounds (454 kg) of hydrating fluid, thus creating a 120 pound (54 kg) fluid mixture. However, the fluid created and released by the mixer 105 can have from about 80 to about 300 pounds (36-136 kg) of hydratable material per 1000 gallons (380 l) (94-358 g / l) (hydrating fluid, among other ratios are also within the scope of the present invention.

[28] Mixer 105 receives hydrated material from hydrated material source 110 (“HM”). Source 110 hydratable material may contain a bunker, tank, feed hopper and / or other container that can provide storage of hydratable material to create a substantially continuous supply of hydrated material into mixer 105. The lower part of source 110 of hydratable material may have a tapering configuration ending in a flap another outlet device providing gravity feed of the hydrated material and / or other essentially continuous movement into the mixer 105. Hydrant the material by may be continuously or intermittently transported in the hydratable material source 110 from another component of the drilling platform, for example, in embodiments wherein the hydratable material is conveyed in the hydratable material source 110 with a delivery vehicle for one or more conveyors. The hydratable material may also, or instead, be continuously transported from the delivery vehicle directly to the mixer 105.

[29] The hydrated material can be metered and / or otherwise transferred to the mixer 105 using a transfer / overload device 115. For example, if the hydrated material is essentially a liquid, the transfer / reload device 115 may contain a metering pump and / or a metering valve, which can functionally be performed with the possibility of controlling the flow rate with which the hydrated material is introduced into the mixer 105.

[30] However, if the material being hydrated essentially contains solid particles, the pumping / transferring device 115 may contain a metering device with a volume or dry mass measurement functionally configured to control the volume or mass flow rate of the hydrated material supplied from the source 110 of the hydrated material into the mixer 105. For example, the pumping / overloading device 115 may include a metering loading device, a screw feeder, a screw conveyor, a conveyor p, etc. and can pass between the source 110 of the hydratable material and the mixer 105 so that the inlet of the pumping / reloading device 115 is installed generally below the source 110 of the hydratable material and the outlet is set generally above the mixer 105. The blade extending along the length of the reloading device 115, for example, functionally connected with the engine, made with the possibility of rotation of the blade. When the mixer 105 is operating, the rotating blade can move the hydrated material from the inlet to the outlet, while the hydrated material can be dumped, loaded, or otherwise introduced into the mixer 105.

[31] Although not shown in FIG. 2, hydration system 100 may contain more than one source of hydrated material 110 and associated pumping / transferring devices 115. For example, hydration system 100 may contain a first source of hydrated material 110 that stores hydrated material that contains substantially liquid and a second source of hydrated material 110 storage of hydratable material, which essentially contains solid particles. In such versions, the pumping / overloading device 115 corresponding to the first source 110 of hydratable material may contain a metering pump and / or metering valve, and the pumping / loading device 115 corresponding to the second source 110 of hydrated material may contain a metering device with volume measurement or dry masses.

[32] The source 110 of the hydrated material may contain one or more force sensors 112, for example load sensors or other sensors functionally configured to generate information relating to a mass or parameter indicating the amount of hydrated material in the source 110 of the hydrated material. Such information can be used to monitor the actual transfer / transfer rate of hydrated material from source 110 of hydrated material to mixer 105, monitor the accuracy of the pumping / transfer device 115 and / or control the transfer / transfer rate of hydrated material discharged from source 110 of hydrated material and / or pumping / loading device 115 for loading into mixer 105.

[33] Hydrating fluid may be supplied to mixer 105 from hydrating fluid source 120 (“HF”), which may contain a receiving tank, storage tank, tank, pipe, manifold, and / or other component for storing and / or moving hydrating fluid the mixer 105. The hydrating fluid supplied may be drawn into the mixer 105 by the suction force generated by the turbine agitator and / or other internal component of the mixer 105. The suction force may be sufficient to move the hydrating fluid medium from source 120 of hydrating fluid to mixer 105. However, the transfer of hydrating fluid from source 120 of hydrating fluid to mixer 105 may instead, or in addition, be carried out by a pump (not shown), for example, functionally designed to inject pressure and / or transfer of hydrating fluid from source 120 of hydrating fluid to mixer 105.

[34] The mixer 105 is functionally configured to mix the hydrated material and the hydrating fluid, and pressurize the resulting fluid mixture sufficiently to pump the fluid mixture through one or more of the first containers 125. In FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of at least a portion of a mixer 105 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The following description refers to FIG. 2 and 3 together.

[35] The mixer 105 may include a case 202, a fluid inlet 204 and an additive inlet 206 extending into the case 202. The fluid inlet 204 may be hydraulically connected to the hydrating fluid source 120 to receive hydrating fluid from it. The additive inlet 206 may generally include an additive-receiving structure 208, which may be or includes a cone, chamber, tank, hopper or the like, having an inner surface 209 adapted to receive hydrated material from source 110 hydrating material through the pumping / overloading device 115 and directing the hydrated material into the housing 202. It is clear that the hydrated material may be dry, partially dry, crystalline, flowing or briquetted and / or packaged material, possibly including suspensions and / or other materials to be dispersed in and / or otherwise mixed with a hydrating fluid using a mixer 105. The hydrated material taken through the additive inlet 206 may also be pre-wetted, possibly with partial creation suspensions, for example, to prevent the formation of lumps and / or accumulation of material.

[36] The mixer 105 may additionally comprise a turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 driven by a shaft 212. The housing 202 may form a mixing chamber 214 communicating with the inlets 204, 206, and the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 may be installed in the mixing chamber 214. Rotation turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 may draw in hydrating fluid from fluid inlet 204, mix the drawn hydrating fluid with the hydrated material supplied from additive inlet 206 to mixing chamber 214, and pump the resulting The resulting mixture through outlet 216. Outlet 216 may direct the fluid mixture through one or more fluid tubes into the first tank 125.

[37] The shaft 212 may extend upwardly through the inlet 206 and extend out of the additive receiving structure 208 for connection with an electric motor and / or other primary drive (not shown). The shaft 212 may be connected to the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 so that the rotation of the shaft 212 rotates the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 in the mixing chamber 214.

[38] The mixer 105 may also include a stator 218 mounted around the turbine agitator / stator assembly 210. The stator 218 may be configured as an annular or arcuate portion, examples of details of which are described below.

[39] The mixer 105 may further comprise a flushing line 220 supporting fluid communication between the additive receiving structure 208 and the zone of the mixing chamber 214 located near the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210. The wash line 220 may produce a hydrating fluid from the mixing chamber 214 in the zone of relatively high pressure and feeding it to the inner wall surface of the receiving structure 208 additive, which can be reduced in a zone (e.g., ambient) pressure. In addition to the relatively high pressure, the hydrating fluid discharged through the flushing line 220 may be relatively “pure” (i.e., with a relatively low additive content, as described below), for example, suitable for pre-wetting the additive-receiving structure 208 and eliminating the formation of lumps of hydratable material supplied to the mixer 105. The flushing line 220 can supply a pre-wetting fluid without using additional pumps (as a pump Only a portion 210 of a turbine stirrer / reflector), or other sources, or the hydration fluid lines 120 from a source of hydration fluid. One or more pumps may be equipped in addition to or instead of releasing hydrating fluid from the mixing chamber 214.

[40] The casing 202 may comprise a casing upper part 222 and a casing lower part 224. The connection of the upper and lower parts 222, 224 of the casing can form a mixing chamber 214 between them. The lower part 224 of the casing may form the lower mixing zone 226, and the upper part 222 of the casing may form the upper mixing zone 228 (shown by dashed lines), which may be substantially axial with the lower mixing zone 226. The mixing zones 226, 228 may together form a mixing chamber 214 in which the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 and the stator 218 may be installed. The lower part 224 of the housing may also include an inner surface 230 forming the bottom of the lower mixing zone 226.

[41] The casing upper part 222 may be connected to the additive receiving structure 208 and may create the additive inlet 206. The lower part 224 of the casing may include a fluid inlet 204 that may pass through the lower part 224 of the casing generally into the centrally located opening 232. The opening 232 may be performed in the inner surface 230. The outlet 216 may extend into the opening 234 communicating with the lower mixing zone 226.

[42] The turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 may include reflector 236 and turbine agitator 238. Reflector 236 and turbine agitator 238 may have inlet surfaces 240, 242, respectively, and rear surfaces 244, 246, respectively. The inlet surfaces 240, 242 may each be open (as shown) or at least partially closed by a screen (not shown), which may form an inlet in the radially inner part of the reflector 236 and / or turbine agitator 238. The rear surfaces 244, 246 may be close to each other and be connected together so that, for example, the turbine agitator 238 and the reflector 236 can be arranged in a “back to back” configuration. Thus, the inlet surface 240 of the reflector 236 may be positioned with the additive facing the inlet 206, and the inlet surface 242 of the turbine agitator 238 may be positioned with the fluid facing the inlet 204. Accordingly, the inlet surface 242 of the turbine agitator 238 may be positioned facing the inner surface 230, and an orifice 232 created on the inner surface 230 may be aligned axially with the radially central part of the turbine agitator 238.

[43] Reflector 236 may essentially be in the form of a plate, in general, with a horizontal (or flat) middle section and arcuate or inclined lateral sides, together creating at least part of the inlet surface 240. The sides may be, for example, in the form of a torus or a part of a torus passing around the middle of the reflector 236. The reflector 236 may also be in the form of a bowl (for example, in the general area of the sphere). Reflector 236 includes six reflector blades 248 on inlet surface 240, although a different number of blades 248 also corresponds to the scope of the present invention. Blades 248 may extend radially substantially straight or curved. As the reflector 236 rotates, the hydrated material received from the inlet 206 moves radially from the center, due to the interaction with the blades 248, and axially upward under the influence of the shape of the inlet surface 240.

[44] Although this is hidden in FIG. 3, turbine agitator 238 may also include one or more blades on inlet surface 242. Rotating turbine agitator 238 may draw in hydrating fluid through opening 232 and then push hydrating fluid axially down and radially from the center. As a consequence, a relatively high pressure region can be created between the bottom of the casing 224 and the turbine agitator 238, which can drive the hydrating fluid around the mixing chamber 214 and in the direction of the reflector 236.

[45] The flushing line 220 may include an orifice 250 created in the bottom of the housing 224 near this high pressure area. For example, an opening 250 may be created in the inner surface 230 in place between the radial outreach from the center of the turbine agitator 238 and the inlet 232 of the inlet 206. The wash line 220 may be or contain a pipe 252 in fluid communication with the inlet 254 of the additive-receiving structure 208 so that the hydrating fluid moves from the opening 250 to the additive-receiving structure 208 through the pipe 252. The hydrating fluid can then move in a common spiral path along the inner surface 209 Adding design 208 by rotating reflector 236 and / or shaft 212 before passing additive through inlet 206 to reflector 236. Thus, the hydrating fluid received through inlet 254 may generally form a wall of fluid passing along the inner surface 209 of the receiving additive design 208.

[46] During operation, a pressure gradient can be created between the turbine agitator 238 and the lower part 224 of the shell, where the pressure in the fluid increases radially outward from the orifice 232. Another gradient relating to the concentration of hydrated material in the hydrating fluid can also be created in this areas where the concentration of the hydrated material increases radially outwards. In some cases, a high hydrostatic head and a low concentration can be designed to create a stream of relatively impurity-free fluid passing through the flushing line 220, driven by the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210. Accordingly, the opening 250 for the flushing line 220 may be located at a point in this region that implements an optimal compromise between the hydrostatic pressure of the hydrating fluid and the concentration of the hydrated material in the hydrating fluid received in the flushing line 220.

[47] The stator 218 may create a shifting ring extending around the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 in the mixing chamber 214. For example, the stator 218 may be held generally stationary with respect to the rotating turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210, for example, fastened to the upper part 222 casing. However, the turbine agitator / reflector assembly 210 may otherwise carry the stator 218 and rotate with it. In any case, the stator 218 may move on the inlet surface 240 of the reflector 236 or may be detached from it.

[48] The stator 218 may include first and second annular portions 256, 258, which may be integral or as discrete components connected together. The first annular portion 256 may minimize obstructions to the flow passage and may include a screen 260 and webs 262, forming relatively wide grooves 264 to provide a relatively free through passage of fluid flow. In contrast to this, the second annular region 258 can maximize the flow offset, for example, to ensure turbulent mixing. For example, the second annular portion 258 may comprise a series of stator blades 266 installed at short intervals, unlike wide intervals between the bars 262 of the first annular section 256. Thus, narrow flow paths 268 may form between stator blades 266, unlike wide openings 264 of the first ring section 256.

[49] The sum of the areas of the working section of the flow paths 268 may be less than the sum of the areas of the stator blades 266. The ratio of the total area of the stator blades 266 that hinder the passage of a stream to the total area of the working section of the flow paths 268 may be about 1.5: 1, for example. However, the ratio may be in the range between about 1: 2 and about 4: 1 among other examples within the scope of the present invention. The area of the stator blade 266 that hampers the passage of the flow may be larger than the area of the working section of each flow path 268.

[50] The stator vanes 266 may be mounted at different stepping angles with respect to the circumference of the stator 218. For example, axially extending surfaces of the stator blades 266 may be substantially straight (for example, substantially parallel to the diameter of the stator 218) or oblique (for example, shear), with a slope, as in the direction of rotation of the node 210 of the turbine agitator / reflector, and opposite to it.

[51] During mixing operations, the mixer 105 may eject air trapped in the hydrated material introduced into the mixing chamber 214, while creating and releasing a concentrated fluid mixture with substantially no air or containing substantially less air than is introduced into the mixing chamber 214.

[52] As also shown in FIG. 2, the mixer 105 may release the fluid mixture, hereinafter referred to as a concentrated fluid mixture, under pressure into the first tank 125. The first tank 125 may be or contain a continuous flow path or channel for moving or transporting the concentrated fluid mixture for a time ensuring adequate hydration, in which the concentrated fluid mixture can achieve a given degree of hydration and / or viscosity. The first container 125 may have a mode of operation first received-first issued, and may contain an outer casing of the type of container covering the receiving tank having an extended flow path, or a space functionally configured to store and move the concentrated fluid mixture through it. The first tank 125 may be a closed type tank, tank or container, for example, which can ensure that the concentrated fluid mixture is under pressure at the inlet of the first tank and is forced through the first tank 125 to release the concentrated fluid mixture from the outlet of the first tank 125.

[53] The first tank 125 may use the discharge pressure generated by the mixer as a motive force that can at least partially move or facilitate the movement of the concentrated fluid mixture through the first tank. In other words, the pressure at the outlet of the mixer 105 can push a viscous concentrated fluid mixture through one or more first vessels 125. In an exemplary embodiment, the mixer 105 can move a concentrated fluid mixture having about 160 pounds (73 kg) or more of hydratable material per 1000 gallons (380 l) (192 g / l) of the hydrating fluid through the first tank 125. Realizing the possibility of hydrating the material to be hydrated in the hydrating fluid at higher concentrations, it is possible to increase the spine of hydration of the hydratable material. For example, the hydration rate can be increased by about 10% or more due to working with a higher gel concentration in the first tank 125. For example, the hydration rate can increase when working with a gel containing about 80 pounds (36 kg) or more hydrated material by 1000 gallons (380 L) (96 g / L) of hydrating fluid.

[54] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a portion of the first container 125 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The first tank 125 may contain a plurality of chambers 310, 320, 330, 340, which include the first chamber 310, the second chamber 320 and one or more intermediate chambers 330, 340. The first tank 125 may further comprise a first window 312 located on the outer wall 314 of the first chamber 310 and functionally configured to receive a concentrated fluid mixture, and a second window 322 located on the outer wall 324 of the second chamber 320 and functionally configured to discharge a concentrated fluid mixture. Windows 312, 322 can run flush or pass outward from the outer walls 314, 324, also possible implementation, where the window 312, 322 in the form of nozzles are out in the tangential direction relative to the outer walls 314, 324.

[55] Cameras 310, 320, 330, 340 may contain separated compartments through which a concentrated fluid mixture can move some distance in a period of time sufficient to allow adequate hydration. The chambers 310, 320, 330, 340 may together be in fluid communication, for example, may allow the concentrated fluid mixture to be introduced into the first tank 125 through the first window 312, the passage through the first chamber 310, through the intermediate chambers 330, 340, through the second chamber 320 and then release through the second window 322.

[56] The first container 125 may further comprise a first plate 350 connected to the first chamber 310 for holding a concentrated fluid mixture in the first chamber 310 as it passes through the first chamber 310. The first plate 350 may be connected to the first chamber 310 by various means, including removable fasteners attached to the flange 318 of the first chamber 310, welding and / or other means, and can also be performed as an integrated section of the first chamber 310. The chambers 310, 320, 330, 340 can be connected to each other by the same or analog by topical means. For example, each chamber 310, 320, 330, 340 may include a flange 316, 318, 326, 328, 336, 338, 346, 348, extending above and below the outer walls 314, 324, 334, 344, for example, configured to receive threaded fasteners and / or other means of fastening the chambers 310, 320, 330, 340 with each other.

[57] Each chamber 310, 320, 330, 340 may contain an internal space 360, 370, 380, 390. Each internal space 360, 370, 380, 390 may constitute or form at least one channel of continuous fluid supply or another passage 362, 372, 382, 392, respectively, each having a length greater than the circumferential length of the corresponding outer wall 314, 324, 334, 344. For example, each passage 362, 372, 382, 392 may be formed in the corresponding internal space 360, 370, 380, 390 wall 364 spiral or other shape. Passages 362, 372, 382, 392 can be oriented and connected so that the first and second windows 312, 322 are in fluid communication.

[58] For example, during the hydration operation, the concentrated fluid mixture may be introduced into the first window 312, pass through the passage 362, and exit or otherwise be discharged from the first chamber 310 substantially in the central window 366 (indicated by dotted lines). The concentrated fluid mixture can then pass into the first intermediate chamber 330 at the central end 384 of passage 382, pass through the passage 382 and exit the first intermediate chamber 330 into the second intermediate chamber 340 through a window 386 (shown in dotted lines) passing vertically through the first intermediate chamber 330 The concentrated fluid mixture can then pass through passage 392 and exit from the second intermediate chamber 340 to the second chamber 320 through a window 396 (indicated by dotted lines), passing vertically through the volts. Rui intermediate chamber 340. The concentrated fluid mixture can then be passed through the passageway 372 and out through second window 322.

[59] Although FIG. 4 shows four chambers 310, 320, 330, 340, the first tank 125 may contain one, two, three, five or more cameras within the scope of the present invention. Although FIG. Figures 2 and 4 show one first tank 125, additional first tanks, for example, from two to five tanks, can be connected in parallel and / or in series, if, for example, additional flow and / or longer hydration is expected.

[60] In addition, when multiple first tanks 125 are used, the pressure drop on each first tank 125 can be detected and used to determine the concentration, viscosity and / or level of hydration of the concentrated fluid mixture. When multiple first tanks 125 are used, one or more of the shifting and / or other mixing devices in the system can be hydraulically connected between the instances of the first tanks 125, for example, to increase the hydration rate in the first tanks 125. tank 125 may also be incrementally varied between each first tank 125, in this case it is possible to ensure more efficient capture and cleaning of the concentrated fluid mixture and at the end of the hydration operations.

[61] During operation of the hydration system 100, concentrated portions can be forced to form in a concentrated fluid mixture, and portions can create concentration pulsations in the concentrated fluid mixture as the concentrated fluid mixture passes through the first tank 125. Heat emitted by one or more components of the hydration system 100 , for example, by motors or engines, can also be transferred to the first tank 125, for example, to heat a concentrated fluid mixture in the first tank 125, which accelerates hydration. The first tank 125 can also be made with a gel-phobic coating or layer that can help improve the flow passage and reduce deposits on the inner surfaces of the first tank 125. Passages 362, 372, 382, 392 and / or other areas of the first tank 125 and other passage tubes The fluid can also be flushed by circulating the fluid-free fluid (eg, water, hydrating fluid) at speeds sufficient to create turbulence. The mixer 105, the pump 140, the first flow control device 145 (when performed as a metering pump), an external pump and / or other means can be used to circulate the impurity-free fluid for such flushing.

[62] As shown in FIG. 2, after releasing the concentrated fluid mixture 125, the concentrated fluid mixture may have a predetermined degree of hydration and / or viscosity and may be pumped or moved through the diluent 130. FIG. 5 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a diluent 130 according to one or more aspects of the present invention.

[63] The diluent 130 can functionally be performed with the possibility of mixing or otherwise combining the concentrated fluid mixture with an additional hydrating fluid or other aqueous-based fluid to dilute the concentrated fluid mixture or otherwise reducing the concentration of the hydrated material in the concentrated fluid mixture to a predetermined concentration. The diluent 130 may be or contain a fluid fusion device, a tee connection, a Y-shaped connection, an eductor, a mixing valve, an inclined mixer and / or another device functionally configured to combine and / or mix two or more fluids. The diluent 130 may comprise a first passage 131, functionally configured to receive a substantially continuous flow of a concentrated fluid mixture, as indicated by arrow 101, a second passage 132, functionally configured to receive a substantially continuous supply of hydrating fluid, as indicated by arrow 102, and a third passage 133, functionally configured to discharge a substantially continuous stream of diluted fluid mixture, as indicated by arrow 103. The first passage 131 can be hydraulically connected with the outlet window 322 of the first tank 125, while allowing the concentrated fluid mixture to be transferred to the diluent 130. The second passage 132 can be in fluid communication with the source 120 of the hydrating fluid, while allowing the hydrating fluid to move to the diluent 130.

[64] The hydrating fluid may be transferred to the diluent 130 by a pump 140, which may be functionally configured to pressurize and / or move the hydrating fluid from the hydrating fluid source 120 to the diluent 130. The pump 140 may be or contain a centrifugal pump or another pump functionally configured to transfer or otherwise substantially continuously move the hydrated material from the source 120 to the diluent 130. For example, the pump 140 may be pumping s hydrating fluid from source 120 at a rate ranging from about zero barrels per minute (BPM) to about 150 barrels per minute (24 ^m3 / min). However, the performance of the hydration system 100 can be varied, and the pump 140 can operate with other costs.

[65] The ratio of the concentrated fluid mixture to the hydrating fluid supplied to the diluent 130, which determines the concentration of the resulting diluted fluid mixture, can be adjusted by controlling the first flow control device 145, functionally configured to control the flow of the concentrated fluid mixture to the diluent 130, and / or a second flow control device 150 functionally configured to control the flow of hydrating fluid to diluent 130. H For example, if the concentration of the diluted fluid mixture is chosen to be decreasing for use downstream, the concentration of the diluted fluid mixture may be reduced by reducing the feed rate of the concentrated fluid mixture to the diluent 130, due to the operation of the first flow control device 145, and / or by increasing the hydration feed fluid into the diluent 130, due to the operation of the second flow control device 150. The feed rate of the concentrated fluid mixture to the diluent 130 can be reduced by closing or otherwise reducing the flow area of the first flow control device 145, and the feed rate of the hydrating fluid to the diluent 130 can be increased by opening or otherwise increasing the flow cross section of the second flow control device 150. Similarly, if an increase in the concentration of the diluted fluid mixture is selected for use downstream, the concentration of the diluted fluid mixture can be increased by increasing the feed rate of the concentrated fluid mixture to diluent 130 and / or decreasing the feed rate of hydrating fluid to diluent 130. the diluent 130 can be increased by opening or otherwise increasing the flow area of the first flow control device 145, and the feed rate of the hydrating fluid The medium in the diluent 130 can be reduced by closing or otherwise reducing the flow area of the second flow control device 150. The first and second flow control devices 145, 150 may contain various types of flow control valves, including needle valves, metering valves, two-leaf valves, ball valves, or other stop valves functionally configured to control the flow rate of the fluid passing through it.

[66] Each of the flow control devices 145, 150 may comprise a flow interrupting element 146, 151, for example, a plate of substantially circular configuration, possibly having a central through hole or passage 147, 152. The flow interrupting elements 146, 151 may selectively rotate relative to the aisles 131, 132, selectively opening and closing the aisles 131, 132. Such a turn can be performed using appropriate solenoids, engines and / or other actuators (not shown).

[67] FIG. 5 shows the introduction of the concentrated fluid mixture into the diluent 130 through the first passage 131 of the diluent 130 and the introduction of hydrating fluid into the diluent 130 through the second passage 132. However, the concentrated fluid mixture can be introduced through the second passage 132, and the hydrating fluid can be introduced through passage 131 fluid.

[68] In addition to or instead of the flow control valve shown, the first flow control device 145 may comprise a metering pump, functionally configured to transfer the concentrated fluid mixture from the first tank 125 to the diluent 130 at a predetermined flow rate. The dosing pump may be a vane pump, gear pump, piston pump or other direct-flow pump, functionally designed to move fluids with a given flow rate.

[69] The third flow control device 155 may also be installed at the outlet or downstream of the diluent 130. The third flow control device 155 may be functionally configured to increase or decrease the feed rate at the outlet of the diluted fluid mixture discharged from the diluent 130 and introduced into the second capacity 135 of system 100 hydration. We note that the combination of flow control devices 145, 150, 155 can additionally functionally be performed with the possibility of increasing and decreasing the holding time of the concentrated fluid mixture in the first tank 125 and, thus, increasing the degree of hydration and viscosity of the concentrated fluid mixture produced by the first tank 125. For example reduced costs ensure that the concentrated fluid mixture remains in the first tank 125 for a longer time before being introduced into the diluent 130 and / or the second tank 135.

[70] Similar to the first and second flow control devices 145, 150, the third flow control device 155 may include a flow interrupting element 156, for example, may include a plate of a substantially circular configuration and possibly having a central through hole or passage 157. 156 can be selectively rotated with respect to the third passage 133, selectively opening and closing the third passage 133, possibly in a manner similar to the selective rotation of the first and second interruptions elements 146, 151.

[70] The first, second and / or third flow interrupting elements 146, 151, 156 and / or other elements of the first, second and / or third flow control devices 145, 150, 155 may additionally be functionally configured to interrupt the flow or otherwise generate turbulence. 134 in streams of concentrated fluid mixture, hydrating fluid and / or diluted fluid mixture. Such turbulence 134 can provide mixing energy that promotes dilution of the concentrated fluid mixture with hydrating fluid to a predetermined concentration of the material to be hydrated.

[72] As also shown in FIG. 2, the diluted fluid mixture produced by the diluent 130 can be transferred to the second tank 135, where the stock of the diluted fluid mixture is maintained until use in well drilling, and also as an ingredient or part of another fluid mixture used in well drilling. The second container 135 may also provide additional hydration of the diluted fluid mixture prior to release. The second container 135 may be a container or a tank of an open or closed type, containing one or more open spaces, functionally designed to receive and contain a diluted fluid mixture. However, the second tank 135 can be eliminated if a sufficient level of hydration and / or viscosity is achieved using one or more variants of the first tank 125 and / or diluent 130. In this version, the diluted fluid mixture can be moved directly into the well or used in another process before injection into the well. For example, a diluted fluid mixture may be transferred to another mixer, functionally configured to mix proppants and / or other solid material, with the diluted fluid mixture to create a fracturing fluid or other fluid used in the hydraulic fracturing.

[73] The second tank 135 may have the same or similar design and / or function with the first tank 125, or the second tank 135 can be executed as a different tank or tank with a mode of operation first received-first issued, for example, one that can provide extra time hydration for diluted fluid mixture. The second container 135 may also contain one or more level sensors 137, functionally configured to generate signals or information related to the amount of the diluted fluid mixture contained in the second container 135.

[74] The hydration system 100 may also comprise a plurality of valves 181-186, functionally configured to control the flow of hydrating fluid, the concentrated fluid mixture, or the diluted fluid mixture, depending on their location. Valves 181-186 can be ball valves, ball valves, double flap valves or other types of valves functionally configured to control the passage of fluid through them. For example, the first valve 181 can functionally be performed to regulate the supply of hydrating fluid to the mixer 105, the second valve 182 can functionally be performed to regulate the flow of the concentrated fluid mixture to the first tank 125, and the third valve 183 can functionally be performed to regulate the flow of concentrated fluid the mixture into the diluent 130. The fourth valve 184 can functionally be performed with the ability to regulate the flow of hydrating fluid into the dilute 130, the fifth valve 185 can functionally be performed with the possibility of regulating the supply of a concentrated fluid mixture discharged from the flow control device 145 back to the first tank 125, and the sixth valve 186 can be functionally performed with the possibility of regulating the flow of the concentrated fluid mixture discharged from the flow control device 145 into the pump 140.

[75] That is, the concentrated fluid mixture can be re-passed through the first tank 125 via the recirculation flow path 126, containing one or more pipes, hoses, and other tubular fluid passage devices, for example, operating when an overflow of the diluted fluid mixture occurs the second tank 135, or providing additional hydration time for the concentrated fluid mixture. Accordingly, the third valve 183 may close, and the fifth valve 185 may open to allow the concentrated fluid mixture to recirculate through flow path 126 and then into first tank 125. During this recirculation, the first flow control device 145 (when performed as a metering pump described above ), can functionally be performed with the possibility of recycling or, otherwise, moving the concentrated fluid mixture through the recirculation flow path 126 and the first tank 125.

[76] The concentrated fluid mixture can also be redirected via a redirected flow path 127 containing one or more pipes, hoses and / or other fluid tubing products, for example, for introduction into the hydrating fluid passing between the hydrating fluid source 120 and the pump 140. The combined hydrating fluid and the concentrated fluid mixture can be simultaneously pumped and mixed using a pump 140, which dilutes the concentrated fluid mixture and, thus, forming a diluted fluid mixture. Accordingly, the third valve 183 can be closed to prevent the concentrated fluid mixture from entering the diluent 130, and the sixth valve 186 can be opened to allow the concentrated fluid mixture to enter the fluid pipe (s) connecting the hydrating fluid source 120 and the pump 140. Then 140 may pump the diluted fluid mixture into the second tank 135, as described above, or via another flow path 128 containing one or more pipes, hoses, and / or other fluid tubular products.

[77] The hydration system 100 may also contain a plurality of flowmeters 160, 165, 170, 175 functionally configured to measure the flow rates of specified fluids. Flow meter 160 may be installed between hydrating fluid source 120 and mixer 105, so that it may help monitor the flow of hydrating fluid introduced into mixer 105. Flow meter 165 may be installed between hydrating fluid source 120 and pump 140, and flow meter 175 may be hydraulically connected between pump 140 and diluent 130, so that one or both of the flow meters 165, 175 can monitor the flow rate of the hydrating fluid introduced by the pump 140 into the diluent 130. The flow meter 170 can be set navlivatsya between the diluent 130 and the second vessel 135, so it can monitor the flow of dilute fluid mixture discharged from the diluent 130.

[78] Flow meters 160, 165, 170, 175 can generate signals or information related to corresponding flow rates of the fluid, and transmit signals to controller 410. Information generated by flow meters 160, 165, 170, 175 can be used by controller 410 as feedback signals. communications that can provide closed-loop regulation of the hydration system 100. For example, the information can be used to verify the accuracy of flow control devices 145, 150, 155 and / or control of the flow rates of the respective fluids, ensuring that the concentration and flow rates of the concentrated and diluted fluid mixtures coincide with the set values that can be set, selected by the human operator and / or determined by controller 410 during hydration operations.

[79] FIG. 6 schematically shows at least a part of an example of a controller 410 that communicates with a pumping / overloading device 115, a mixer 105, a pump 140, flow control devices 145, 150 155, flow meters 160, 165, 170, 175, valves 181-186, a sensor 112 force and level sensors 137 (hereinafter collectively referred to as “hydration system components”) according to one or more aspects of the present invention. Such communication may be supported by wired and / or wireless communication. However, for clarity and ease of understanding, the communication tool is not shown in FIG. 2, and it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that many such communication devices are within the scope of the present invention.

[80] The controller 410 may be functionally configured to execute an example of computer readable instructions for performing at least a portion of one or more of the methods and / or processes described herein, and / or performing a portion of one or more examples of oilfield devices described herein. document. The controller 410 may be or comprise, for example, one or more processors, special purpose computing devices, servers, personal computers, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), smart phones, Internet access devices and / or other types of computing devices.

[81] The controller 410 may include a processor 412, for example, a universal programmable processor. The processor 412 may comprise a local storage 414 and may execute encoded instructions 432 residing in the local storage 414 and / or another storage. Processor 412 may execute encoded instructions 432, which, among other examples, may include machine-readable instructions or programs for executing the methods and / or processes described in this document. Processor 412 may be, contain, or be implemented using one or multiple processors of various types suitable for a local application environment, and may include one or more general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (“DSP”), logic chips programmed under operating conditions (“FPGA”), specialized integrated circuits (“ASIC”), and processors based on a multi-core architecture, as non-limiting Imers. Naturally, other processors from other families are also suitable.

[82] The processor 412 may communicate with a main storage device, which, for example, may include volatile memory 418 and non-volatile memory 420, possibly via bus 422 and / or other means of communication. Volatile memory 418 may comprise or be implemented as random access memory (RAM / RAM), static random access memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), dynamic random access memory with random access (RDRAM) and / or other types of random access memory. The non-volatile memory 420 may comprise or be implemented in a read only memory, flash portable storage device and / or other types of storage devices. One or more storage controllers (not shown) may regulate access to volatile memory 418 and / or non-volatile memory 420. Processor 412 may additionally be functionally configured to provide controller 410 to receive, collect, and / or other information generated by components of the hydration system and / or other sensors and transmitted to the main storage device.

[83] The controller 410 may also contain an interface circuit 424. The interface circuit 424 may comprise or be implemented in standard interfaces of various types, such as an Ethernet interface, universal serial bus (USB), third generation input / output interface (3GIO), wireless interface and / or mobile interface, among other examples. The interface circuit 424 may also include a graphics driver card. The interface circuit 424 may also include a communication device, for example, a modem or network interface card for exchanging data with external computing devices via a network (for example, via an Ethernet connection, a digital subscriber line (“DSL”), a telephone line, a coaxial cable, mobile telephony, satellite, etc.).

[84] The components of the hydration system may be connected to the controller 410 via the interface circuit 424 to communicate with each other. For example, each of the components of the hydration system may contain a corresponding interface circuit (not shown) that can communicate with the controller 410. Each corresponding interface circuit may provide signals or information generated by the components of the hydration system to the controller 410 as feedback signals for monitoring one or more of the components of the hydration system or possibly the whole hydration system 100. Each corresponding interface circuit may provide control signals from the controller 410 by various engines, drives, and / or other actuators (not shown) associated with components of the hydration system to control the operation of the corresponding components of the hydration system to control the whole hydration system 100.

[85] The one or more input devices 426 may also be connected to the interface circuit 424. The input devices 426 may provide the human operator with input data and commands to the processor 412, which may include a setpoint corresponding to a given concentration of hydrated material in the diluted fluid mixture ( hereinafter referred to as the “concentration setpoint”), and the setpoint corresponding to the specified flow rate of the diluted fluid mixture produced by the hydration system 100 (hereinafter referred to as the “setpoint stroke "). Introductory devices 426 may comprise or be implemented in a keyboard, computer mouse, touchscreen, touchpad, trackball, stylus, and / or voice recognition system, among other examples. The one or more output devices 428 may also be connected to the interface circuit 424, for example, to display the flow and concentration settings, as well as information generated by one or more of the components of the hydration system. Output devices 428 may comprise or be implemented in visual display devices (eg, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or cathode ray tube display (CRT), among others), printers and / or loudspeakers, among other examples.

[86] The controller 410 may also contain one or more mass storage devices 430 and / or removable storage media 434, which may be or include floppy disks, hard disks, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile disks (DVD) and or USB and / or other flash media besides other examples. Information generated by components of the hydration system and / or other sensors may be stored on one or more mass storage devices 430 and / or removable storage media 434.

[87] The programmed instructions 432 may be stored in mass storage device 430, volatile storage device 418, non-volatile storage device 420, local storage device 414, and / or removable storage media 434. Thus, the components of the controller 410 can be implemented according to hardware (possibly implemented in one or more chips, including an integrated circuit, for example, an application-specific integrated circuit), or can be implemented as software or firmware for execution by one or several processors. In an embedded software or software version, the implementation may be provided in the form of a software product including a computer readable medium or data storage structure implementing the computer program code (i.e., software or firmware) on it for execution by the processor 412.

[88] The programmed instructions 432 may include software instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 412, causes the system 100 hydration (or at least its components) to perform the tasks described in this document. For example, the programmed instructions 432, when executed, can ensure that the controller 410 receives these flow and concentration setpoints and, based on the setpoints, ensures that the hydration system 100 creates a diluted fluid mixture at a given flow rate and predetermined concentrations. When executed, the programmed instructions 432 can provide the controller 410 to receive information generated by the components of the hydration system and process the information as feedback signals that can facilitate closed-loop control by the hydration system 100 and / or components of the hydration system. For example, information can be processed to verify the accuracy of the pumping device 115 and the flow control devices and / or flow control devices 145, 150 155 and the corresponding fluids for compliance with the diluted fluid mixture and the concentration of the concentrated and diluted fluid mixture with the flow and concentration settings. Although this document discusses flow and concentration settings, it is understood that the controller 410 can receive and process data with settings of other parameters within the scope of the present invention. The controller 410 may also monitor and adjust other parameters and operation of the hydration system 100, which may be implemented to create a dilute fluid mixture.

[89] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of at least a portion of an example of a control method 500 stored as programmed instructions 432 and executed by controller 410 and / or one or more other controllers associated with components of a hydration system, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. In the following description, reference is made to FIG. 2, 6 and 7.

[90] The method 500 can be implemented using the hydration system 100 to create a diluted fluid mixture based on the set flow and concentration settings entered into the controller 410 by a human operator. Method 500 may include a series of interrelated stages or subordinate methods 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, where each such subordinate method may involve a separate control loop, such as a proportional-integral-differential (PID) control loop. For example, one or more of the subordinate methods 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 may use a control loop to achieve the intended output or result. Slave methods 510, 520, 530, 540, 550 may be interrelated, as shown by arrows 522, 532, 542, 552.

[91] Slave method 510 may contain a determination of the setpoint concentration of the concentrated fluid mixture (“CFM”) and the degree of dilution. The input parameters to the slave method may include a setpoint 512 of the concentration of the diluted fluid mixture (“DFM”) (hereinafter “first setpoint”) and the maximum flow rate setpoint 514 of the diluted mixture (hereafter “second setpoint”), which can be compared with the information generated by the flow meter 170. The first and second settings 512, 514 can be specified or selected parameters specific to the operation to be performed at the drilling site using the hydration system 100, for example, g hydraulic fracturing. The first and second set point 512, 514 can be incorporated into the controller 410 in a suitable mode, e.g., through input devices 426. Setpoints 512, 514 may be determined based on other information relevant for operation at the well site, such as the characteristics of the subterranean formation (e.g., dimensions, location, contents, etc.) into which the diluted fluid mixture produced by the hydration system 100 is to be injected. The controller 410 may determine and output data of other parameters used during the hydration operation based on the entered first and second settings 512, 514 and / or other entered data. Controller 410 may then transfer other parameters to one or more equipment controllers (not shown) associated with components of the hydration system, which in turn may perform additional, subordinate methods.

[92] Slave method 520 may include controlling a pumping / transferring device 115 to transfer the hydrated material to mixer 105. The input parameters of the slave method 520 may include one or more output parameters (eg, settings) generated by the slave method 510, along with the actual speed 526 supply of hydrating fluid in the mixer 105, a specific flow meter 160. The signals generated by one or more sensors 112 forces, for example, load sensors that support work source 512 hydratable material can be used in the subject process 520 for introducing a desired amount of the hydratable material in the mixer 105 and / or for comparison of the predicted amounts of hydratable material is the actual amount of the hydratable, the material introduced into the mixer 105.

[93] Slave method 530 may include determining the setpoint for the diluted fluid mixture, which includes determining the setpoint for the concentrated fluid mixture and the setpoint for the hydrating fluid (indicated in Figure 7 as the “Dilution Rate Setpoint”). The input parameters in slave method 530 may include one or more output parameters generated in slave method 510, along with the total flow rate of hydrating fluid 534 supplied to diluent 130, determined by one or more flowmeters 160, 165, 175, and level 536 diluted fluid mixture in the second tank 135, detected by the sensor 137 level.

[94] The slave method 540 may include controlling the intensity of the supply of the concentrated fluid mixture to the diluent 130, which may be a function of the first flow control device 145. The input parameters in slave method 540 may include the flow rate setpoint 542 of the concentrated fluid mixture generated in the slave method 530, along with the actual flow 544 of the fluid mixture as determined by the first flow control device 145 or flow meter (not shown).

[95] The slave method 550 may include controlling the intensity of the supply of the hydrating fluid to the diluent 130, for example, to control the dilution of the concentrated fluid mixture. The input parameters in the slave method 550 may include the dilution rate setpoint 552 generated in the slave method 530, along with the flow rate 554 of supplying hydrating fluid to the diluent 130, determined by one or more flowmeters 165, 175.

[96] FIG. 8 shows in isometric an exemplary embodiment of the hydration system 100 of FIG. 2 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The hydration system 100 is shown in FIG. 8 in the performance of a mobile hydration system 600 detachably connected to a primary drive 602. Mobile hydration system 600 comprises a self-propelled conveyor 603 having a frame 604 and a plurality of wheels 606 connected to the frame 604 rotatably, which frame 604 rests on the ground 610. hydration may further comprise a control cabin 612, which may be called in the electrical switchboard technique, connected to the frame 604. The control cabin 612 may contain one or more controllers, such as controller 410, shown and FIG. 2 and 6, which can be functionally performed with the ability to monitor and control the mobile hydration system 600, as described above for the hydration system 100.

[97] The mobile hydration system 600 further comprises a source of hydratable material 110, configured as a feed funnel or reservoir, functionally configured to receive the hydrated material. Source 110 hydratable material is connected to the frame 604, for example, the set of supporting elements 616.

[98] The mobile hydration system 600 further comprises a mixer 105 and an overload / transfer device 115 of hydratable material, such as a screw feeder and / or other device functionally configured to dose the hydrated material to the mixer 105. The mixer 105 is connected to the frame 604 and contains a motor 621, functionally configured to drive a mixer 105. A mixer 105 may be or comprise a mixer 105 for the liquid and solid phases shown in FIG. 3, or another mixer functionally configured to mix or prepare a mixture of hydrating fluid with the material being hydrated. The hydrating fluid may be supplied to the mixer 105 from the hydrating fluid source 120, which is shown in FIG. 8 executed in the form of a manifold functionally configured to receive hydrating fluid through a plurality of windows 624. Each of the windows 624 may comprise a valve 625, for example, functionally configured to control the flow of the hydrating fluid.

[99] After mixing the hydratable material and the hydrating fluid in the mixer 105, the created, concentrated fluid mixture can be transferred to one or more parts of the first tank 125. The first tank 125 is shown in FIG. 8 executed in the form of four closed hydrating containers (hereinafter referred to as “hydrators”), where each contains a substantially continuous flow path passing through it, as in the example of execution shown in FIG. 4. Thus, each first container 125 may contain first and second windows 312, 322 functionally configured to receive or release a concentrated fluid mixture to or from each first container 125. Each first container 125 may be connected to a frame 604, for example, by a plurality of supporting elements 632.

[100] After passing the concentrated fluid mixture through each first tank 125, the concentrated fluid mixture can be transferred to the second tank 135, which is shown in FIG. 8 performed by water supply tank by gravity. Before being introduced into the second container 135, additional hydrating fluid may be combined with or added to the concentrated fluid mixture using a diluent 130, which is shown in FIG. 8, performed as a pipe tee. Hydrating fluid can be pumped from source 120 of hydrating fluid to diluent 130 by pump 140, such as a centrifugal pump driven by an engine 640. Hydrating fluid and concentrated fluid mixture can be combined in diluent 130 to create a dilute fluid mixture, as described above, and move to the second tank 135. The diluted fluid mixture can be discharged from the second tank 135 through the outlet port 642, which can be opened and closed by the valve 644. The second tank 135 can be connected tines with frame 604, for example, a variety of support elements 646.

[101] FIG. 9 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a portion of the mobile hydration device 600 shown in FIG. 8 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a hydrated material source 110, performed as a substantially conical feed hopper section 615, further comprising or otherwise used in conjunction with an activation system 650. The activation system 650 comprises an internal deflector 652 rigidly attached to the feed hopper 617 and / or another component of the source 110 of the hydratable material, for example, a plurality of structural elements 654. The deflector 652 may have a substantially conical, convex or other shape and may be substantially solid or have lots of small holes creating a strainer. A deformable membrane (not shown) may extend between section 614 of a cylindrical tank and / or another part of activation system 650 and section 615 of a conical feed hopper of source 110 of hydrated material, for example, to prevent the passage of hydrated material up around the outer surface of section 615 of conical feed hopper 110 hydrated material and / or to minimize the formation of dust. The tank section 614, feed hopper 617, and / or other components of the activation system 650 may horizontally move or vibrate under the action of centrifugal forces generated by the vibrator 656, which may contain unbalanced rotating weights. The vibrator 656 may be connected to the tank section 614 and / or another component of the activation system 650 with one or more clamps, threaded fasteners, and / or other means. During hydration, the activation system 650 may break up pieces of hydrated material moving from section 615 of the conical feed funnel to feed hopper 617 past deflector 652, as indicated by arrows 660. Vibration or movement generated by activation system 650 may help reduce the tendency for small aisles to form diameter in hydrated material supplied from source 110 of hydratable material.

[102] Table 1 below provides an example of a list of descriptions and / or operating parameters of the mobile hydration system 600. However, in Table 1, only examples of values are given, and many other values are also within the scope of the present invention.

Table 1 Loading capacity of source 110 of hydratable material 4000 pounds (1800 kg) minimum Means input source 110 hydratable material 111 by 2 inches (51 mm) pneumatic overload with dust collection Maximum reloading rate for hydrated material 135 lb (61 kg) / min Overload device 115 for hydratable material Volumetric screw feeder and automated weight loss calibration Mixer 105 maximum mixing speed (at 70 degrees F) Up to 120 BPM (19 m ³ / min) and 120 lb / 1000 gallons (54 kg / 3.8 m ³ ) = 14 kg / m ³ Hydration time at maximum speed of passage through the first tank 115 150 seconds Design pressure of first tank 115 80 lb / ⁱⁿ² (560 kPa); by ASME calculation Mixer 105 maximum operating mode 27 BPM (4 m ³ / min) at 55 pounds / inch ² (380 kPa) on release

[103] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of at least a portion of an exemplary embodiment of a method (700) in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Method (700) can be performed using at least a portion of one or more embodiments of the device shown in one or more of FIG. 2-9, and / or other devices within the scope of the present invention. For clarity and ease of understanding, the following description of method (700), shown in FIG. 10 is also referenced in FIG. 2 and 8 as an example.

[104] Method (700) comprises moving (705) a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. As described above, the gel may be a mixture of hydratable material and hydrating fluid. Thus, for example, such a movement (705) may pass through the outlet means of the mixer 105, for example, the outlet 216 shown in FIG. 3, and / or one or more pipes, hoses, and / or other pipe products (hereinafter referred to collectively as “pipes”) that hydraulically connect the mixer 105 to one or more instances of the first tank 125. Such movement (705) may also or instead, pass through one or more instances of the first tank 125, for example, to ensure sufficient hydration of a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. Such movement (705) may also, or instead, pass through the outlet means of the lowest downstream instance of the first tank 125 (in case of multiple instances of the first tank 125), for example, a window 322 shown in FIG. 4 and / or one or more pipes that hydraulically connect the lowermost instance of the first tank 125 with the diluent 130. This movement (705) may also or instead pass through one or more other components shown in both or one of FIG. 2 and 8, for example, valve 182, flow control device 145, valve 183, flow path 126, valve 185, flow path 127, valve 186, pump 140, flow control device 150, and / or one or more of their pipes and / or pipes in between.

[105] Method (700) also comprises moving (710) a substantially continuous stream of water-based fluid. Such movement (710) may pass through one or more windows 624 and / or one or more pipes hydraulically connecting one or more windows 624 with diluent 130. Such movement (710) may also or instead pass through one or more other components shown in both or one of FIG. 2 and 8, for example, through one or both of the flow meters 165, 175, valve 184, pump 140, flow control device 150, and / or one or more of their pipes and / or pipes between them.

[106] Method (700) also contains compound (715) of substantially continuous flows of gel having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous flow of gel having a second concentration, while the second concentration is significantly lower than the first concentration . Such a compound (715) may pass through the diluent 130 and / or one or more other components and / or tubes shown in both or one of FIG. 2 and 8.

[107] The compound (715) is a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration, may contain changing the second concentration by changing at least one of the following: a first flow of a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration; and the second flow essentially continuous flow of fluid water-based. Changing the first flow rate may include controlling the operation of one or more flow control devices, which may include one or more flow control devices 145, valve 183, valve 185, and / or valve 186. Changing the second flow may also include controlling the operation of one or more devices flow control, which may include one or more of the following: valve 184, pump 140, and / or flow control device 150. However, changing at least one of the first and second flow rates to reduce concentration may also or instead comprise one or more other flow control devices. A change in at least one of the first and second flow rates to reduce the concentration may comprise a decrease in the first flow rate, an increase in the second flow rate, or both.

[108] Method (700) may additionally comprise, to compound (715), substantially continuous gel flows having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration, creating (720) turbulence in essentially a continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. For example, if the diluent 130 is executed as shown in FIG. 5, and a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration is introduced into diluent 130 through passage 131, such turbulence can be generated (720) by operating the flow interrupting element 146. However, versions of flow control device 145 that differ in fig. 5, and / or other means, can also or instead be used to generate (720) turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. The generation of turbulence (720) may facilitate mixing, dilution and / or hydration of the resulting mixture.

[109] The method (700) may additionally comprise, to a compound (715), substantially continuous gel flows having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration, generating (725) turbulence in essentially a continuous stream of water-based fluid. For example, if the diluent 130 is executed as shown in FIG. 5, and a substantially continuous flow of water-based fluid is introduced into diluent 130 through passage 132, such turbulence can be generated (725) by operating the flow interrupting element 151. However, versions of flow control device 150 that differ from that shown in FIG. 5, and / or other means, may also or instead be used to generate (725) turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of water-based fluid. The generation (725) of turbulence may facilitate mixing, dilution and / or hydration of the resulting mixture.

[110] The method (700) may further comprise mixing (730) a substantially continuous stream of hydrated material with a substantially continuous stream of water-based fluid to create a movement (705) of the essentially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. As described above, such mixing (730) can be performed by a mixer 105 as a result of receiving a substantially continuous supply of hydrated material, for example, from a source 110 of hydrated material using a pumping device 115 and a substantially continuous supply of water-based fluid, for example, from one or multiple windows 624 shown in FIG. 8, and / or the hydrating fluid source 120 shown in FIG. 2

[111] The method (700) may further comprise moving (735) a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration into the tank. For example, the tank may be one or more instances of the second tank 135. Such movement (735) may pass through the diluent outlet means 130 (for example, passage 133 shown in FIG. 5), flow control device 155, and / or one or more other components or pipes hydraulically connected between the diluent 130 and the second container 135.

[112] The method (700) may further comprise using a (740) gel, having a second concentration, in the well fracturing. For example, using (740) a gel having a second concentration may contain mixing the gel with proppant and possibly other additives to create a fracturing fluid, in which pressure can then be applied and injected into the well for fracturing the subterranean formation. With this mixing, you can use another instance of a mixer 105, and / or another type of mixer, functionally configured to receive a substantially continuous supply of proppant and / or other additives and a gel having a second concentration, the gel being taken either from the diluent 130, the second tank 135 and / or another component of the hydration system 100 shown in FIG. 2, and / or from the mobile hydration system 600 shown in FIG. eight.

[113] Method (700) may additionally contain (740) gel, having a second concentration, in a downhole hydraulic fracturing, generating (745) turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of gel, having a second concentration. For example, if the diluent 130 has the design shown in FIG. 5, and a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration is discharged from diluent 130 through passage 133, such turbulence can be generated (745), due to the operation of flow interrupting element 156. However, versions of the flow control device 155 that differ from those shown in fig. 5, and / or other means, may also or instead be used to generate (745) turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration. The generation of turbulence (745) may facilitate mixing, dilution and / or hydration of the resulting mixture.

[114] Method (700) may additionally comprise transferring (750) a self-propelled conveyor to a well site for performing downhole hydraulic fracturing. For example, the transferred (750) self-propelled conveyor may be the mobile hydration system 600 shown in FIG. 8. Thus, the transferred (750) self-propelled conveyor may comprise a frame 604 and a plurality of wheels 606 connected to the frame 604 rotatably and can be detachably connected to a primary drive 602. As described above, each position, mixer 105, one or more The instances of the first tank 125 together forming a closed type hydrator, and the diluent 130, are connected to the frame 604. In such versions, the diluent 130 can also be called a combined unit, functionally designed for a substantially continuous connection, essentially Two continuous streams of water based fluid and a gel having a first (higher) concentration to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second (lower) concentration.

[115] Considering the present invention as a whole, including the claims and figures, a person skilled in the art should clearly understand that the present invention provides a method comprising: moving a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration; moving a substantially continuous water-based fluid stream; combining substantially continuous gel streams having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous gel stream having a second concentration, the second concentration being significantly less than the first concentration; and the use of a gel having a second concentration in the well fracturing.

[116] The method may further comprise: mixing a substantially continuous stream of hydratable material with a substantially continuous stream of aqueous based fluid in a mixer to create a gel having a first concentration; and discharging a gel having a first concentration from a mixer, when substantially continuous streams of hydrated material and a water-based fluid are mixed to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. Hydratable material may essentially contain guar. Fluid water-based may essentially contain water.

[117] The method may additionally comprise essentially continuous flows of a gel having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to form a substantially continuous stream of a gel having a second concentration, moving a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration through the tank. hydration to ensure that a given viscosity is achieved by a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration.

[118] The method may further comprise, prior to using a gel having a second concentration, in a well fracturing formation, moving a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration into the tank.

[119] The method may further comprise, prior to combining, substantially continuous gel streams having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous gel stream having a second concentration, generating turbulence in a substantially continuous gel stream having a first concentration.

[120] The method may further comprise, prior to combining, substantially continuous gel streams having a first concentration and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous gel stream having a second concentration, generating turbulence in a substantially continuous water-based fluid.

[121] The method may further comprise, prior to using a gel having a second concentration, in a well fracturing formation generating turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration.

[122] The method may further comprise changing the second concentration by changing at least one of the following: a first flow of a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration; and a second flow rate of a substantially continuous water-based fluid flow. A change in at least one of the first and second flow rates may comprise controlling the operation of the flow control device. The flow control device may comprise a valve and / or a pump. A change in at least one of the first and second flow rates may comprise at least one of the following: a decrease in the first flow rate to reduce the second concentration; and increasing the second flow rate to reduce the second concentration.

[123] The present invention also provides a method comprising: a substantially continuous supply of hydrated material and hydrating fluid to a mixer; a substantially continuous operation of the mixer mixing the hydrated material and the hydrating fluid to create the first substantially continuous stream, the first essentially continuous stream comprising a gel having: a first concentration of the hydrated material; and first viscosity; the substantially continuous movement of the first substantially continuous stream through a closed type hydrator to create a second substantially continuous stream, the second essentially continuous stream comprising a gel having: a first concentration of hydratable material; and a second viscosity that is significantly greater than the first viscosity; the substantially continuous connection of the second substantially continuous stream and the third substantially continuous stream to create a fourth substantially continuous stream, wherein the third substantially continuous stream essentially contains a water-based fluid, and the fourth essentially continuous stream contains a gel, having a second concentration of hydratable material that is significantly less than the first concentration; and using the gel from the fourth substantially continuous flow in the downhole fracture.

[124] The hydrated material may essentially contain guar. The hydrating fluid and the aqueous fluid may each essentially be water.

[125] The substantially continuous connection of the second and third substantially continuous streams to create a fourth substantially continuous stream may comprise controlling the flow rate of at least one of the second and third substantially continuous streams to change the second concentration. Flow control of at least one of the second and third substantially continuous flows may comprise controlling the operation of the flow control valve. Controlling the flow rate of at least one of the second and third substantially continuous flows may comprise controlling the operation of the respective pumps.

[126] The method may further comprise transferring a fourth substantially continuous flow to the tank prior to using the gel from the fourth substantially continuous flow in the downhole hydraulic fracturing. In such versions of the fourth of the essentially essentially continuous flow used in downhole hydraulic fracturing, can be obtained from the tank.

[127] The method may further comprise generating turbulence in the second substantially continuous stream before connecting the second and third essentially continuous streams.

[128] The method may further comprise generating turbulence in the third substantially continuous stream before connecting the second and third essentially continuous streams.

[129] The method may further comprise generating turbulence in a fourth substantially continuous stream.

[130] The method may further comprise transferring a self-propelled conveyor to the well site where downhole hydraulic fracturing is performed. The self-propelled conveyor may comprise a frame and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame rotatably. Self-propelled conveyor can be detachably connected to the primary drive. The mixer, closed-type hydrator and connecting block can be connected to the frame. The connecting unit may be functionally designed for a substantially continuous connection of the second and third substantially continuous streams to create a fourth substantially continuous stream.

[131] The present invention also provides a device comprising: a system functionally designed to create a substantially continuous supply of a gel having a first concentration of hydratable material for use in a downhole hydraulic fracture, the system comprising: a mixer functionally configured to receive and mix hydrated material and water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydratable material, with the second the concentration of the hydratable material is considerably greater than the first concentration of the hydratable material; a closed type tank having an internal flow path through which a substantially continuous supply of gel has a second concentration of hydratable material for a period of time sufficient to provide a viscosity of a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydrated material to increase to a predetermined level; and a diluent functionally configured to dilute a substantially continuous supply of a gel of increased viscosity, having a second concentration of hydratable material to a substantially continuous supply of gel having a first concentration of hydrating material.

[132] The system may further comprise a tank, functionally configured to receive a substantially continuous supply of gel having a first concentration of hydratable material.

[133] The system may further comprise at least one of the following: a first flow control device, functionally configured to control the first flow of a substantially continuous feed to the diluent of an increased viscosity gel having a second concentration of hydratable material; and a second flow control device, functionally configured to control the second flow of water-based fluid supplied to the diluent. At least one of the first and second flow control devices may comprise a flow control valve. At least one of the first and second flow control devices may be installed adjacent to the diluent and may comprise a flow interrupting element functionally configured to generate turbulence in the flowing fluid flow. The flow interrupting element may be a substantially circular plate with a central passage. The flow interrupter can be selectively rotated with respect to a pipe containing a flowing fluid stream. At least one of the first and second flow control devices may comprise a pump operatively configured to dispense the feed to the diluent.

[134] The system may further comprise: a first pump, functionally configured to transfer water-based fluid from the water-based fluid source to the mixer; and a second pump, functionally configured to transfer a water-based fluid from a water-based fluid source to a diluent for use in diluting a substantially continuous supply of increased viscosity gel having a second concentration of hydratable material.

[135] The hydrated material may essentially contain guar. The hydratable material may contain a polymer, a synthetic polymer, galactomannan, a polysaccharide, cellulose, clay, or a combination thereof. The aqueous based fluid may essentially be water.

[136] The closed type tank may have a channelized flow path and act in the mode first received-first issued. The mixer may additionally be functionally capable of substantially continuously maintaining pressure of a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydratable material, providing a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydrated material for a substantially continuous passage along the channeled flow path.

[137] The diluent may comprise a first pass, receiving a substantially continuous flow of a gel of increased viscosity, having a second concentration of hydratable material, a second pass, receiving a substantially continuous flow of aqueous-based fluid, and a third pass, conducting essentially continuous feed of a gel having first concentration of hydratable material. Thinner may have a pipe tee.

[138] The system may further comprise a frame functionally connected with a plurality of wheels to support the frame on the ground. In such versions, the mixer, closed tank and diluent can be connected to the frame. The frame can be detachably connected to the primary drive.

[139] The above describes the features of several embodiments, for a better understanding of aspects of the present invention by a person skilled in the art. It is clear to a person skilled in the art that the present invention can be applied without problems as a basis for developing or modifying other methods and constructions having similar functions and / or achieving advantages similar to the embodiments presented in this document. The person skilled in the art should also understand that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and that various changes, substitutions and replacements can be made in this document without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The abstract at the end of this description is given according to 37 C.F.R. §1.72 (b) to ensure that the reader is quickly familiar with the substance of the technical description. Presented summary should be understood as not being used to interpret or limit the scope, as well as the meaning of the claims.

Claims (51)

1. The method of moving a continuous stream of gel, in which: provide the movement of a substantially continuous stream of hydrated gel having a first concentration and a predetermined viscosity; providing a substantially continuous flow of a water-based fluid; connect in a diluent essentially continuous flow of hydrated gel having a first concentration, and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a given second concentration, while the specified second concentration is significantly less than the first concentration, and the diluent is adapted to change the specified a second concentration by varying the feed rate of at least one of the hydrated gel stream and the water-based fluid stream; and use hydrated gel, having a given second concentration, in the well fracturing. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which additionally mixing a substantially continuous stream of hydratable material with a substantially continuous stream of water-based fluid in a mixer to create a gel having a first concentration; and releasing a gel having a first concentration from a mixer, when substantially continuous streams of hydrated material and a water-based fluid are mixed to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. 3. The method according to claim 2, in which: hydratable material contains guar; and water based fluid is water. 4. The method according to claim 1, additionally containing to the connection essentially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration, and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration, moving a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration through the capacity of hydration to ensure that the desired viscosity is reached by a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the use of the gel having a second concentration, in the borehole hydraulic fracturing, a substantially continuous flow of the gel having a second concentration into the tank. 6. The method according to claim 1, additionally containing to the connection essentially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration, and a water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration, generating turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of gel having first concentration. 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to combining, substantially continuous flows of a gel having a first concentration and a water based fluid to create a substantially continuous flow of a gel having a second concentration, generating turbulence in a substantially continuous flow of fluid on water based. 8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, prior to the use of the gel having a second concentration, in the borehole hydraulic fracturing, generating turbulence in a substantially continuous stream of the gel having a second concentration. 9. The method according to claim 1, in which additionally carry out the change of the second concentration by changing at least one of the following: a first flow of a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration; and the second flow rate is essentially a continuous flow of fluid water-based. 10. The method according to claim 9, in which the change in at least one of the first and second expenses includes at least one of the following: reducing the first flow rate to reduce the second concentration; and increase the second flow rate to reduce the second concentration. 11. Method for continuous supply of hydratable material containing gel, in which: provide essentially continuous flow of hydratable material and hydrating fluid in the mixer; provide essentially continuous operation of the mixer, mixing the hydrated material and hydrating fluid to create the first essentially continuous flow, while the first essentially continuous flow contains a gel having: the first concentration of hydratable material; and first viscosity; provide essentially continuous movement of the first essentially continuous flow through a closed type hydrator to create a second essentially continuous flow, while the second essentially continuous flow contains a gel having: the first concentration of hydrated material; and a second viscosity that is significantly greater than the first viscosity; provide essentially continuous connection of the second essentially continuous stream and the third essentially continuous stream to create the fourth essentially continuous stream, while the third essentially continuous stream essentially contains a water-based fluid, and the fourth essentially continuous stream contains gel having a second concentration of hydrated material that is significantly less than the first concentration; and use the gel of the fourth essentially continuous flow in the downhole fracturing. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the substantially continuous connection of the second and third substantially continuous streams to create a fourth substantially continuous stream comprises controlling the flow rate of at least one of the second and third substantially continuous streams to change the second concentration. 13. The method according to claim 11, in which the fourth substantially continuous flow is additionally transferred to the tank before using the gel from the fourth substantially continuous flow in the well fracturing, while the gel from the fourth substantially continuous flow used in the well fracturing is obtained from the tank. 14. The method according to claim 11, in which the self-propelled conveyor is additionally moved to the drilling site, on which the well fracturing is performed, wherein: the self-propelled conveyor comprises a frame and a plurality of wheels rotatably connected to the frame; self-propelled conveyor is detachably connected to the primary drive; a mixer, a closed-type hydrator and a connecting block are connected to the frame; and the connecting unit is functionally designed for a substantially continuous connection of the second and third substantially continuous flows to create a fourth essentially continuous flow. 15. Device for the continuous supply of the gel, containing: a system functionally designed to create a substantially continuous feed of a gel having a first concentration of hydratable material for use in downhole hydraulic fracturing, the system comprising: a mixer functionally configured to receive and mix hydrated material and water-based fluid to create a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydrated material, the second concentration of hydrated material being significantly higher than the first concentration of hydrated material; a closed type tank having an internal flow path through which a substantially continuous supply of a gel having a second concentration of hydratable material takes place over a period of time sufficient to increase the viscosity of a substantially continuous supply of gel having a second concentration of hydrated material to a predetermined level, and the gel is hydrated to a predetermined level; and a diluent functionally configured to dilute a substantially continuous supply of a gel of increased viscosity, having a second concentration of hydratable material, to a substantially continuous supply of gel having a first concentration of hydrated material. 16. The device according to claim 15, wherein the system further comprises at least one of the following: the first flow control device, functionally configured to control the first flow of a substantially continuous feed to the diluent gel of increased viscosity, having a second concentration of hydratable material; and the second flow control device, functionally configured to control the second flow of water-based fluid supplied to the diluent. 17. The device according to clause 16, in which at least one of the first and second flow control devices installed adjacent to the diluent and contains a flow interrupting element, functionally configured to generate turbulence of the flowing fluid flow. 18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the flow interrupting element is made substantially in the form of a circular plate with a central passage, and wherein the flow interrupting element is selectively rotated relative to the pipe containing the flowing fluid flow. 19. The device according to claim 15, wherein the closed type tank has a channeled flow path and operates in the first-received-first-flow mode, and the mixer is additionally functionally configured to substantially continuously maintain the pressure of the essentially continuous supply of the gel having the second concentration hydratable material, providing a substantially continuous flow of the gel, having a second concentration of hydratable material, for a substantially continuous passage along the channeled flow path. 20. The device according to claim 15, wherein the system further comprises a frame functionally connected with a plurality of wheels for supporting the frame on the ground, wherein the mixer, a closed type tank and a diluent are connected to the frame.

Images