Systems and methods for cathodic protection of hydraulic fracturing pump systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to a hydraulic fracturing pump comprising a fluid end assembly, the fluid end assembly comprising a cylinder body configured to receive a respective plunger from a power end; a suction bore configured to house a valve body, a valve seat, and a spring; a suction cap; and a spring retainer, wherein a surface of one or more of the cylinder body, the suction bore, the suction cap, and the spring retaining serves as a cathode, and wherein the fluid end comprises at least one of a plunger anode, a suction cap anode, a spring retainer anode, a valve top anode, a valve seat outer diameter anode, and a valve seat inner diameter anode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hydraulic fracturing pump comprising a fluid end assembly, the fluid end assembly comprising:
 a cylinder body oriented along a longitudinal axis of the fluid end, comprising a first end and a second end, and configured to receive a respective plunger from a power end through the first end of the cylinder body;   a suction bore oriented along a vertical axis of the fluid end and connected to the cylinder body through the second end of the cylinder body, wherein the suction bore is configured to house a valve body, a valve seat, and a spring, wherein the valve body having a top, and the valve seat having an inner diameter and an outer diameter;   a suction cap located at the second end of the cylinder body; and   a spring retainer contained within the suction bore,   wherein a surface of one or more of the cylinder body, the suction bore, the suction cap, and the spring retaining is configured to serve as a cathode, and   wherein at least one of the plunger, the suction cap, the spring retainer, the valve top, the valve seat outer diameter, and the valve seat inner diameter is configured to serve as an anode.   
     
     
         2 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid end comprises an anode configuration selected from the group consisting of:
 the plunger anode, the suction cap anode, the valve top anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode;   the valve top anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode;   the plunger anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode; and   the suction cap anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode.   
     
     
         3 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plunger anode, the suction cap anode, the spring retainer anode, the valve top anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode each comprises a sacrificial anode fabricated from one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum alloys, zinc, zinc alloys, magnesium, and magnesium alloys. 
     
     
         4 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 3 , wherein the sacrificial anode is secured by at least one method selected from the group of a mechanical fastener, an adhesive, and a friction fit. 
     
     
         5 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plunger anode is secured onto an end of the plunger by a plunger bolt,   the suction cap anode is secured onto an end of the suction cap by a suction cap bolt,   the spring retainer anode is secured onto an end of the spring retainer by a spring retainer bolt,   the valve top anode is secured onto an end of a valve top by a retainer ring,   the valve seat outer diameter anode that clamps onto an outer diameter of the valve seat, and   the valve seat inner diameter anode that clamps onto an inner diameter of the valve seat.   
     
     
         6 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the plunger bolt, the suction cap bolt, the spring retainer bolt, and the valve top bolt comprises brass, bronze, stainless steel, galvanized steel, gold, platinum, and silver, and wherein one or more of the plunger bolt, the suction cap bolt, the spring retainer bolt, and the valve top bolt is substantially inert to corrosion. 
     
     
         7 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plunger anode, the suction cap anode, the valve top anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode comprises a mass from about 0.15 ounces to about 0.5 ounces. 
     
     
         8 . The hydraulic fracturing pump of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plunger anode, the suction cap anode, the valve top anode, the valve seat outer diameter anode, and the valve seat inner diameter anode comprises a surface area from about 1 in 2  to about 7 in 2 . 
     
     
         9 . A system for preventing corrosion of a surface of a conduit, the system comprising:
 the conduit comprising a tubular body; an outer surface; an inner surface configured to contain a fracking fluid; and one or more ports configured to receive a bolt or a valve; and   the bolt comprising an anodic end and a corrosion resistant end.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the system further comprises a check valve comprising a check valve anode. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the system further comprises a plug valve comprising a plug valve anode. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the check valve anode has a mass from about 100 g to about 2,000 g. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plug valve anode has a mass from about 100 g to about 2,000 g. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the check valve anode has a volume from about 25 cm 3  to about 300 cm 3 . 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the plug valve anode has a volume from about 100 g to about 2,000 g. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the anodic end comprises aluminum, aluminum alloys, zinc, zinc alloys, magnesium, magnesium alloys, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the corrosion resistant end comprises brass, bronze, stainless steel, galvanized steel, gold, platinum, and silver. 
     
     
         18 . A system for preventing corrosion of a surface of a conduit, the system comprising:
 the conduit comprising a tubular body; an outer surface; an inner surface configured to contain a fracking fluid; and one or more ports configured to receive a bolt or a valve; and   a valve comprising an anode.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the valve comprises a check valve, and wherein the anode comprises a check valve anode. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the valve comprises a plug valve, and wherein the anode comprises a plug valve anode.