Gary Pendleton and Rob McPheron,
AXON Energy Products, investigate a
solution that is providing operators with
an opportunity to prolong fluid end life
while maintaining higher pressures.
G
rowth and development in the hydraulic fracturing
industry has placed considerable demands on frack
and well service pump equipment in recent years.
With progressively deeper wells and the advent of directional
drilling for horizontal laterals, frack and well service pumps must
operate at greater horsepowers while delivering consistently high
pressures (up to 20 000 psi) at amplified flowrates.
As one of the key components of the pump, fluid ends are
greatly affected by these rising demands. Fluid ends must survive
harsh operating environmental conditions while performing
at increasingly high pressures and flowrates. Operating
pressures up to 20 000 psi and speeds up to 300 cycles/min. are
not uncommon, in conjunction with temperature variations
generated fromboth the environment and pumping process.
Moreover, fluid end life is greatly affected by proppants with
regard to erosion and chemical reactions (especially on internal
surfaces that are exposed to the pumped fluid).
Therefore, proper design, manufacture and assembly are
particularly critical in addressing the aforementioned factors to
achieve consistent operational performance and longevity. Since
fluid ends are amajor consumable pump component, it is also
imperative tominimise operational andmaintenance costs.
LIFE OF
EXTENDING THE
THE END
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