IP Library Granted Patent US 9,835,018
Granted Patent B2
US 9,835,018 · App. 14/586,545 · Granted Dec 5, 2017

Rotary isobaric pressure exchanger system with lubrication system

Inventors: Prem Krish (Foster City, CA); Farshad Ghasripoor (Berkeley, CA); Jeremy Grant Martin (Oakland, CA)
Assignee: Energy Recovery, Inc.
E21B43/26F04F13/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,835,018
App. No.
14/586,545
Granted
Dec 5, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system including a frac system with a rotary isobaric pressure exchanger configured to exchange pressures between a first fluid and a second fluid, and a lubrication system configured to lubricate the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

Claims (25)

1. A system, comprising:

a frac system, comprising:

a rotary isobaric pressure exchanger configured to exchange pressures between a first fluid and a second fluid; and

a lubrication system configured to lubricate the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger, wherein the lubrication system comprises a pump configured to pump a third fluid into the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger to lubricate the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid is a substantially particulate free fluid and the second fluid is a particulate laden fluid.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first fluid and the third fluid are the same.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lubrication system comprises a filter.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger comprises a rotor, a sleeve surrounding the rotor, a first end cap, and a second end cap.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the lubrication system is configured to pump the third fluid into a gap between the sleeve and the rotor.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lubrication system comprises a fluid treatment system configured to convert the first or second fluid into the third fluid.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frac system comprises a controller that controls the flow of the third fluid of the lubrication system into the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller communicates with a first sensor configured to detect whether the rotor is rotating with a speed within a threshold range.

10. A method, comprising:

monitoring rotation of a rotor in a rotary isobaric pressure exchanger, wherein the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger exchanges pressure between a first fluid and a second fluid; and

detecting a condition when the rotor is rotating with a speed outside of a threshold range; and

lubricating the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger with a lubrication fluid in response to the condition by pumping a third fluid through the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein monitoring rotation of the rotor comprises monitoring an acoustic sensor, an optical sensor, or a pressure sensor with a controller.

12. The method of claim 10 , comprising controlling a pump to pump the third fluid through the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger in response to the condition.

13. The method of claim 10 , comprising controlling a fluid treatment system to treat the third fluid prior to lubricating the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

14. The method of claim 10 , comprising controlling a pump to pump the third fluid through the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger while operating a frac system coupled to the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

15. A system, comprising:

a frac system, comprising:

a rotary isobaric pressure exchanger configured to exchange pressures between a first fluid and a second fluid;

a lubrication system configured to lubricate the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger; and

a controller that controls the flow of a third fluid of the lubrication system into the rotary isobaric pressure exchanger.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2021
From: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 060751/0479 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 18, 2016
From: KRISH, PREM; GHASRIPOOR, FARSHAD; MARTIN, JEREMY GRANT
To: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 040043/0644 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2015
From: KRISH, PREM; GHASRIPOOR, FARSHAD; MARTIN, JEREMY GRANT
To: ENERGY RECOVERY, INC.
Reel/Frame 034828/0946 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61922598 · Dec 31, 2013
Provisional Application 61922442 · Dec 31, 2013
Related Publication 20150184502A1 · Jul 2, 2015