Instrumented fracturing slurry flow system and method
Embodiments include a method for monitoring a fracturing operation that includes positioning a pump at a well site where fracturing operations are being conducted. The method also includes arranging one or more sensors at at least one of a pump inlet or a pump outlet, the one or more sensors monitoring a flow rate of a slurry. The method includes receiving flow data from the one or more sensors. The method also includes determining a pump efficiency, based at least in part on the flow data, is below a threshold. The method further includes adjusting one or more operating parameters of the pump.
1. A method for adjusting operation of a pump, comprising:
receiving first data indicative of a flow rate;
determining a first operating condition of the pump based, at least in part, on the flow rate;
comparing the first operating condition to a first damage threshold, the first damage threshold corresponding to a damage indication for the pump;
determining the first operating condition exceeds the damage threshold;
adjusting, based at least in part on the determination that the operating condition exceeds the damage threshold, a first operating parameter of a set of operating parameters;
receiving second data indicative of at least one operating parameter of the set of operating parameters;
determining a second operating condition based, at least in part, on the second data;
comparing the second operating condition to a second damage threshold, the second damage threshold corresponding to the damage indication for the pump;
determining the second operating condition exceeds the second damage threshold;
identifying an adjustable operating parameter of the set of operating parameters;
adjusting the adjustable operating parameter;
receiving third data indicative of at least one additional operating parameter of the set of operating parameters;
determining a third operating condition based, at least in part, on the third data;
comparing the third operating condition to a third damage threshold, the third damage threshold corresponding to the damage indication for the pump;
determining the third operating condition exceeds the third damage threshold;
determining additional adjustments to the set of operating parameters are unavailable; and
sending an alert associated with the third operating condition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alert is a maintenance alert.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one additional operating parameter is different from the first operating parameter.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second data includes at least one of a speed, a vibration level, or a temperature of the pump.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data is from a non-contact flow meter.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the non-contact flow meter includes at least one of a Doppler effect flow meter, an electromagnetic flow meter, a radar flow meter, a mass flow meter, or a laser flow meter.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the non-contact flow meter is a magnetic flow meter.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
retrieving, from a data store, the damage threshold and the second damage threshold.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving fourth data indicative of at least one further additional operating parameter of the set of operating parameters;
determining a fourth operating condition based, at least in part, on the fourth data;
comparing the fourth operating condition to a fourth damage threshold, the fourth third damage threshold corresponding to the damage indication for the pump;
determining the fourth operating condition is below the fourth damage threshold; and
updating one or more operational instructions for the pump.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data is from a contact sensor arranged within a flow path, the contact sensor including at least one of a turbine flow meter, a variable area flow meter, a paddle wheel flow meter, or a positive displacement flow meter.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data is from a turbine flow meter arranged within a flow path.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the alert is presented on a display screen in a data van.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first data is from a non-contact flow meter and the second data is from a contact sensor arranged within a flow path.