Fluid end assembly
A fluid end assembly comprising a plurality of fluid end sections positioned in a side-by-side relationship. Each fluid end section comprises a housing made of multiple-piece construction. One or more pieces of the housing are configured to have a plurality of stay rods attached thereto. The stay rods interconnect the fluid end assembly and a power end assembly.
1. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis and opposed first and second surfaces joined by an outer intermediate surface, the housing comprising a first section joined to a second section and a third section by a plurality of fasteners;
a horizontal bore formed within the housing and interconnecting the first and second surfaces, the horizontal bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to receive a fluid routing plug; and
an annular insert installed within a groove formed within the third section of the housing, the insert configured to engage the fluid routing plug;
in which the annular insert is made of a harder material than the housing;
in which the first section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug;
in which the second section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug; and
in which the third section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug.
2. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the third section is configured to receive at least a portion of a reciprocating plunger.
3. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the first section comprises a plurality of openings, each opening configured to receive a stay rod, each stay rod configured to attach to a power end.
4. The fluid end section of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fluid routing plug installed within the horizontal bore, at least a portion of the fluid routing plug received within the first section, second section, and third section of the housing;
in which an outer surface of the fluid routing plug engages the insert; and in which such engagement prevents axial movement of the fluid routing plug towards the third section of the housing.
5. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the third section comprises opposed first and second surfaces; and in which the groove is formed in the first surface of the third section.
6. The fluid end section of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fluid routing plug installed within the horizontal bore, at least a portion of the fluid routing plug received within the first section, second section, and third section of the housing;
a suction valve installed within the third section of the housing and configured to engage the fluid routing plug; and
a discharge valve installed within the first section of the housing and configured to engage the fluid routing plug.
7. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the third section of the housing comprises opposed first and second surfaces, the housing further comprising:
a stuffing box engaging the second surface of the third section and configured to receive at least a portion of a reciprocating plunger; and
a plunger packing installed within at least a portion of the stuffing box.
8. The fluid end section of claim 7 , further comprising:
a retainer engaging the stuffing box and attached to the housing using a plurality of fasteners, the retainer having a threaded central opening; and
a packing nut installed within the retainer and engaging the plunger packing.
9. The fluid end section of claim 1 , further comprising:
a discharge conduit attached to the first section of the housing; in which at least a portion of the discharge conduit is made of a flexible material; and
a suction conduit attached to the second section of the housing; in which at least a portion of the suction conduit is made of a flexible material.
10. A fluid end comprising:
a plurality of fluid end sections of claim 1 positioned in a side-by-side relationship; in which the suction bore in each fluid end section is characterized as a first suction bore, each fluid end section further comprising:
a second suction bore formed in the second section of the housing and interconnecting the horizontal bore and the intermediate surface;
an upper suction manifold in fluid communication with each first suction bore of the plurality of fluid end sections; and
a lower suction manifold in fluid communication with each second suction bore of the plurality of fluid end sections.
11. The fluid end of claim 10 , in which each fluid end section further comprises:
a first discharge bore formed in the first section of the housing and interconnecting the horizontal bore and the intermediate surface; and
a second discharge bore formed in the first section of the housing and interconnecting the horizontal bore and the intermediate surface;
the fluid end further comprising:
an upper discharge manifold in fluid communication with each first discharge bore of the plurality of fluid end sections; and
a lower discharge manifold in fluid communication with each second discharge bore of the plurality of fluid end sections.
12. A fluid end comprising:
a plurality of the fluid end sections of claim 1 positioned in side-by-side relationship.
13. A high pressure pump, comprising:
a power end; and
the fluid end of claim 12 attached to the power end.
14. The high pressure pump of claim 13 , in which the power end is attached to the fluid end using a plurality of stay rods, the plurality of stay rods attached to the power end and attached to the first section of each of the plurality of fluid end sections.
15. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the housing is made of steel.
16. The fluid end section of claim 1 , in which the annular insert is made of tungsten carbide.
17. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis and opposed first and second surfaces joined by an outer intermediate surface, the housing comprising a first section joined to a second section and a third section by a plurality of fasteners;
a horizontal bore formed within the housing and interconnecting the first and second surfaces, the horizontal bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to receive a fluid routing plug;
an annular insert installed within a groove formed within the third section of the housing, the insert configured to engage the fluid routing plug; and
a wear ring installed within a groove formed within the first section of the housing, the wear ring configured to engage the fluid routing plug;
in which the first section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug;
in which the second section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug; and
in which the third section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug.
18. The fluid end of claim 17 , further comprising:
a fluid routing plug installed within the housing and engaging the insert and the wear ring.
19. The fluid end section of claim 17 , in which each groove comprises two walls.
20. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis and opposed first and second surfaces joined by an outer intermediate surface, the housing comprising a first section joined to a second section and a third section by a plurality of fasteners;
a horizontal bore formed within the housing and interconnecting the first and second surfaces, the horizontal bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to receive a fluid routing plug;
in which the first section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug;
in which the second section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug; and
in which the third section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug;
in which the third section of the housing comprises opposed first and second surfaces, the housing further comprising:
a stuffing box engaging the second surface of the third section and configured to receive at least a portion of a reciprocating plunger; and
a plunger packing installed within at least a portion of the stuffing box;
in which at least a portion of the stuffing box is disposed within the third section of the housing, the fluid end section further comprising:
an annular seal surrounding the portion of the stuffing box installed within the third section of the housing; and
a wear ring disposed around the seal.
21. A fluid end section, comprising:
a housing having a longitudinal axis and opposed first and second surfaces joined by an outer intermediate surface, the housing comprising a first section joined to a second section and a third section by a plurality of fasteners;
a horizontal bore formed within the housing and interconnecting the first and second surfaces, the horizontal bore extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing and configured to receive a fluid routing plug;
in which the first section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug;
in which the second section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug; and
in which the third section of the housing is configured to receive at least a portion of the fluid routing plug;
in which the third section comprises:
opposed first and second surfaces interconnected by a portion of the horizontal bore;
a first portion joined to a second portion; in which the first portion comprises the first surface and is configured to receive a suction valve; and in which the second portion comprises the second surface and is configured to receive a reciprocating plunger; and
a plurality of passages formed within the first portion and surrounding the portion of the horizontal bore, the passages configured to receive the plurality of fasteners; in which the plurality of fasteners are secured to the first portion of the third section by a plurality of nuts such that the nuts are positioned between the first and second surfaces of the third section.