Automated system for monitoring and controlling water transfer during hydraulic fracturing

1. An automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water from a first water source to a plurality of frac water storage containers during a hydraulic fracturing process, the automated system comprising:

a first manifold configured to receive water provided at least partially from the first water source through at least one input, and to supply water to a plurality of output openings for use in the hydraulic fracturing process;

a plurality of controllable valves, wherein one or more of the plurality of controllable valves is configured to be in fluid communication between an input to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers and with one or more of the plurality of output openings of the first manifold;

a plurality of level indicators, wherein one or more of the plurality of level indicators is configured to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers to determine a water level at such one of the plurality of frac water storage containers;

a first pump configured to receive water from the first water source, and to pump water through a discharge, wherein at least a portion of the water pumped through the discharge is received at the at least one input of the first manifold with the plurality of output openings;

one or more controllers in communication with the plurality of controllable valves and configured to control the opening and closing of two or more of plurality of controllable valves to a desired opening position so that water from the first water source in the first manifold may be provided to each of the plurality of frac water storage containers through the plurality of output openings of the first manifold based at least partially on the water level of the plurality of frac water storage containers determined by the associated plurality of level indicators;

one or more displays operable to receive and display information that includes the water level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more of the plurality of level indicators, the valve opening positions of two or more of the plurality of controllable valves; and

a storage device configured to receive and store information that includes one or more of the following selected from the group consisting of:

the water level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more of the plurality of level indicators,

a water volume level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more of the plurality of level indicators, and

the valve opening positions of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves.

2. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , the automated system further comprising:

a plurality of water level displays, wherein one or more of the plurality of water level displays is configured to receive and display the water level of one of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined by a corresponding one of the plurality of level indicators that is configured relative to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers to determine a water level at such one of the plurality of frac water storage containers.

3. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the plurality of level indicators is configured relative to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers to determine the water volume present at such one of the plurality of frac water storage containers that is based at least in part on the corresponding water level at such one of the plurality of frac water storage containers.

4. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising a first flow meter configured to measure a flow of water into the first manifold, and wherein the first flow meter is a piggable flow meter configured to allow a pig to pass through the first flow meter.

5. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of cameras operable to generate video that can be viewed remotely, the cameras positioned to view one or more selected from the group consisting of:

one or more of the plurality of controllable valves,

one or more of the plurality of level indicators, and

one or more of the frac water storage containers, and

the first pump.

6. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second pump configured to be remotely operated, to receive water from the first water source, and to pump water through a discharge of the second pump, wherein at least a portion of the water pumped through the discharge of the second pump is received at the at least one input of the first manifold with the plurality of output openings, and wherein the one or more controllers is further operable to control an operation of the second pump to allow water to be pumped to the at least one input of the first manifold.

7. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers is further operable to control an operation of the first pump to allow water to be pumped to the at least one input of the first manifold.

8. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second pump configured to be remotely operated, to receive water from a second water source, and to pump water through a discharge of the second pump, wherein at least a portion of the water pumped through the discharge of the second pump is received at the at least one input of the first manifold with the plurality of output openings, and wherein the one or more controllers is further operable to control an operation of the second pump to allow water to be pumped to the at least one input of the first manifold.

9. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , wherein the first water source includes water, from one or more selected from the group consisting of impaired water, frac flowback water, and production water.

10. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , the automated system further comprising:

a first flow meter configured to measure a flow of water into the first manifold,

and wherein the storage device is configured to receive and store information that further includes

the flow of water into the manifold from the first flow meter.

11. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an injection port adjacent an opening in the first manifold and wherein a substance may be injected into the system during the transfer of water during the hydraulic fracturing process, and wherein the substance injected in the injection port includes one or more selected from the group consisting of chlorine dioxide, an anti-corrosive agent, an anti-freeze, an alcohol, a fluid with a freezing point lower than the freezing point of water, a pH controlling agent, and a decontamination agent.

12. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

an injection port positioned before the at least one input of the first manifold, and wherein a substance may be injected into the system during the transfer of water during the hydraulic fracturing process, and wherein the substance injected in the injection port includes one or more selected from the group consisting of chlorine dioxide, an anti-corrosive agent, an anti-freeze, an alcohol, a fluid with a freezing point lower than the freezing point of water, a pH controlling agent, and a decontamination agent.

13. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a second manifold operable to receive water from a second water source through at least one input, and to supply water from the second water source to a plurality of output openings of the second manifold;

a second plurality of controllable valves, wherein one or more of the second plurality of controllable valves is configured to be in fluid communication between an input to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers and with one of the plurality of output openings of the second manifold;

a second pump configured to be remotely operated, to receive water from the second water source, and to pump water through a discharge to the input of the second manifold with the plurality of output openings of the second manifold; and

wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to at least partially control the operation of the second pump to allow water from the second water source to be pumped into the second manifold, and wherein the one or more controllers are in communication with the second plurality of controllable valves and configured to control the opening and closing of one or more of the second plurality of controllable valves to a desired opening position so that water from the second water source in the second manifold may be provided to each of the plurality of frac water storage containers through the plurality of output openings of the second manifold based at least partially on the water level of the plurality of frac water storage containers determined by the associated plurality of level indicators.

14. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more controllers are selected from the group consisting of a programmable logic controller, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a smartphone, and a tablet computer.

15. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of controllable valves are manually controlled and are manually set to a desired valve opening position.

16. The automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of frac water storage containers are in fluid communication with one another.

17. An automated system implemented in a mobile container for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water from a first water source and water from a second water source to a plurality of frac water storage containers for use during a hydraulic fracturing process, the automated system comprising:

a first manifold configured to receive water from the first water source through at least one input, and to supply water to a plurality of output openings for use in the hydraulic fracturing process;

a plurality of controllable valves, wherein one or more of the plurality of controllable valves is configured to be in fluid communication between an input to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers and with one of the plurality of output openings of the first manifold;

a second manifold operable to receive water from the second water source through at least one input, and to supply water from the second water source to a plurality of output openings of the second manifold;

a second plurality of controllable valves, wherein one or more of the second plurality of controllable valves is configured to be in fluid communication between an input to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers and with one of the plurality of output openings of the second manifold;

one or more controllers configured to at least partially control the operation of at least a first pump to allow water from the first water source to be pumped into the first manifold, and wherein the one or more controllers are in communication with the plurality of controllable valves and are configured to control the opening and closing of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves to a desired opening position so that water from the first water source in the first manifold may be provided to one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers through the plurality of output openings of the first manifold based at least partially on a water level of the plurality of frac water storage containers determined by an associated plurality of level indicators, wherein the one or more controllers are further configured to at least partially control the operation of a second pump to allow water from the second water source to be pumped into the second manifold, and wherein the one or more controllers are in communication with the second plurality of controllable valves and are configured to control the opening and closing of one or more of the second plurality of controllable valves to a desired opening position so that water from the second water source in the second manifold may be provided one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers through the plurality of output openings of the second manifold based at least partially on the water level of the plurality of frac water storage containers determined by the associated plurality of level indicators;

one or more displays operable to receive and display information that includes the water level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more selected from the group consisting of the plurality of level indicators, the valve opening positions of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves and one or more of the second plurality of controllable valves, the flow of water into the first manifold, the flow of water into the second manifold, and operating information of the first pump and the second pump; and

a storage device configured to receive and store information that includes two or more selected from the group consisting of the water level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers, a water volume level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers, the valve opening positions of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves and one or more of the second plurality of controllable valves, operating information of the first pump, operating information of the second pump, and the flow of water into the first manifold and the second manifold.

18. A method of operating an automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water from a first water source to a plurality of frac water storage containers during a hydraulic fracturing process, wherein the automated system for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water during a hydraulic fracturing process includes:

a first manifold operable to receive water from the first water source through at least one input, and to supply water to a plurality of output openings for use in the hydraulic fracturing process;

a plurality of controllable valves, wherein one or more of the plurality of controllable valves is configured to be in fluid communication between an input to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers and with one of the plurality of output openings of the first manifold;

a plurality of level indicators, wherein one or more of the plurality of level indicators are configured to one of the plurality of frac water storage containers to determine a water level at each such one of the plurality of frac water storage containers;

a first flow meter configured to measure a flow of water into the first manifold;

a first pump configured to receive water from the first water source and to pump water through a discharge to the at least one input of the first manifold with the plurality of output openings;

one or more controllers in communication with the plurality of controllable valves and configured to control the opening and closing of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves to a desired opening position so that water from the first water source in the first manifold may be provided to one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers through the plurality of output openings of the first manifold based at least partially on the water level of the plurality of frac water storage containers determined by the associated plurality of level indicators;

one or more displays operable to receive and display information that includes the water level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more selected from the group consisting of the plurality of level indicators, the valve opening positions of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves, and the flow of water into the first manifold; and

a storage device configured to receive and store information that includes one or more selected from the group consisting of the water level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more of the plurality of level indicators, a water volume level of one or more of the plurality of frac water storage containers as determined at least partially by one or more of the plurality of level indicators, the valve opening positions of one or more of the plurality of controllable valves, and the flow of water into the manifold from the first flow meter;

wherein the method of operating the automated system comprises:

placing one or more of the plurality of controllable valves into a control mode to control the openings of such controllable valves based at least partially on the water level of the plurality of frac water storage containers, and the control mode includes a control mode selected from one of the group consisting of an automatic mode, a manual mode, a gang control mode, an individual control mode, and a remote manual control mode.