Polymer Blending System
A system for blending polymers and other chemicals in an aqueous liquid is provided. Static mixers and tubes, preferably in one or more tube bundles, provide a volume sufficient to allow a residence time in the system to hydrate a polymer. Static mixers may be integrated with a tube bundle. The system may be mounted on a portable base such as a trailer. The concentration of polymer and chemicals in water may be controlled by a controller.
1 . A system for blending polymers to form a polymer solution in water, comprising:
a water flow meter for connection to a source of water;
a connection for adding a suspension of polymer in oil to the water, the connection being flow connected to the flow meter for the source of water;
a tube bundle, flow connected to the connection and comprising a plurality of sections of tubes and static mixers;
a flow meter for the suspension of polymer in oil flow connected to a supply line and to the connection for adding a suspension of polymer in oil;
a device for controlling flow rate of the suspension of polymer in oil; and
a controller for sending signals to the device in response to a signal received by the controller.
2 . The system of claim 1 wherein the device for controlling flow rate of the suspension is a valve.
3 . The system, of claim 1 wherein the device for controlling flow rate of the suspension is a pump for the suspension of polymer in oil.
4 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a static mixer outside the tube bundle and flow connected to the tube bundle.
5 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a pump for water flow connected to the source of water.
6 . The system of claim 1 wherein a volume of the tube bundle is selected to provide a selected residence time of fluid flowing through the tube bundle at a selected flow rate.
7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the tube bundle is enclosed in a heat-insulated box.
8 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a sensor for sending temperature or chemical composition signals to the controller.
9 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a high-pressure pump having a discharge pressure gage wherein a pressure signal is sent to the controller from the pressure sensor on the output of the high-pressure pump.
10 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a data storage device for storing data from a sensor in the system.
11 . A portable system for blending a polymer solution in water, comprising:
the system of claim 1 further comprising a trailer, the trailer having a bed formed from a storage tank having a selected volume and a flow barrier around the bed, the system being disposed on the trailer.
12 . A portable system for transporting and supplying a polymer dispersion in oil, comprising:
a trailer, the trailer having a bed formed from a storage tank having a selected volume and a flow barrier around the bed;
a vessel for containing the polymer dispersion disposed on the bed; and
a pump for pumping the polymer dispersion from the vessel.
13 . The system of claim 10 wherein the pump is pneumatically-driven.
14 . The system of claim 11 wherein the rate of pumping of the pump is controlled by a signal from a controller.