Apparatus, system and method for swapping hydraulic fracturing pumps

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system, the method comprising the steps of: establishing fluid communication between a pumping unit and a fracturing missile; determining if fluids are flowing between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile; if fluids are determined to be flowing, stopping the fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile; and establishing fluid communication between the pumping unit and a bleed-off receiver. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for performing a hydraulic fracturing operation.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system, the method comprising steps of:
 (a) establishing fluid communication between a pumping unit and a fracturing missile;   (b) the fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile; and   (c) establishing fluid communication between the pumping unit and a bleed-off receiver, wherein the bleed-off receiver is in fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of disconnecting a fluid conduit that is operatively coupled between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising a step of performing a maintenance operation on the pumping unit. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising a step of reconnecting the fluid conduit and re-establishing fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , moving the pumping unit and operatively connecting a second pumping unit to the fracturing missile to establish fluid communication therebetween. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a step of determining if fluids are flowing between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile the step of determining comprises: determining fluid flow conditions between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile; determining operating conditions of the pumping unit; or, both. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of determining the fluid flow conditions comprises a step of receiving sensory information for determining whether a predetermined requirement has been met. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the step of determining the operating conditions of the pumping unit comprises a step of receiving sensory information for determining whether a predetermined requirement has been met. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of stopping fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile is performed by actuating a valve that is operatively coupled to a fluid conduit for regulating fluid flow between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the valve is actuated directly, automatically or remotely. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of establishing fluid communication between the pumping unit and the bleed-off receiver is performed directly, automatically or remotely. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the sensory information is received by a controller circuit for determining whether the predetermined requirement has been met and if so, then the controller circuit may send a visual signal to a user interface that it is safe to directly actuate a desired valve and/or the controller circuit may send a command to an actuator system to remotely actuate the desired valve, wherein the desired valve regulates fluid flow fluid between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile. 
     
     
         13 . A system for regulating a flow of fluids during a hydraulic fracturing operation, the system comprising:
 (a) a pumping unit for pressurizing fluids from a source;   (b) a fluid conduit for communicating the pressurized fluids to a fracturing missile;   (c) a first valve assembly for regulating a flow of fluids from the pumping unit to a bleed-off receiver, the first valve assembly is in fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a valve for regulating fluid flow between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile, the valve downstream of the first valve assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the valve can be actuated to a closed position and the first assembly can be actuated to direct the flow of fluids from the pumping unit to the bleed-off receiver. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a first sensor for determining fluid flow conditions within the fluid conduit and for generating sensory information. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  further comprising a further sensor for determining operating conditions of the pumping unit and for generating further sensory information. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a controller circuit for receiving the sensory information for further determining if it safe to actuate the valve to a closed position and to actuate the first assembly to direct the flow of fluids form the pumping unit to the bleed-off receiver. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising an actuation system that is configured to receive a command from the controller circuit to remotely actuate the valve. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a user interface for receiving a command from the controller circuit to generate a visual signal for indicating the valve can be directly actuated. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pumping unit is operatively coupled to the fluid conduit by a manual connector. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the pumping unit is operatively coupled to the fluid conduit by a controlled connector. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , further comprising a second pumping unit that can be operatively coupled to the fluid conduit at the connector when the pumping unit is disconnected. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 13 , further comprising a blast shield system for positioning about the valve assembly the blast shield configured to protect an individual positioned proximal the valve assembly. 
     
     
         25 . A method for changing a footprint of a dynamic redzone, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) establishing a first footprint of the dynamic redzone by operating a pumping system;   (b) stopping at least a portion of the pumping system's operation;   (c) actuating one or more valve assemblies for directing high pressure fracturing fluids to a bleed-off receiver and for stopping at least a portion of a supply of fluids from a source to the pumping system;   (d) establishing a second footprint of the dynamic redzone, wherein the second footprint is smaller than the first footprint.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the step of actuating one or more valve assemblies further comprises a step of stopping fluid communication between the pumping system and a fracturing missile.