US 11,732,565 B2
Systems and methods to operate a dual-shaft gas turbine engine for hydraulic fracturing
Tony Yeung, Houston, TX (US); Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Houston, TX (US); Diankui Fu, Houston, TX (US); Warren Zemlak, Houston, TX (US); and Caleb Barclay, Houston, TX (US)
Assigned to BJ Energy Solutions, LLC, The Woodlands, TX (US)
Filed by BJ Energy Solutions, LLC, Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/64,699.
Application 18/064,699 is a continuation of application No. 17/684,613, filed on Mar. 2, 2022.
Application 17/684,613 is a continuation of application No. 17/396,914, filed on Aug. 9, 2021, granted, now 11,572,774.
Application 17/396,914 is a continuation of application No. 17/173,475, filed on Feb. 11, 2021, granted, now 11,125,066, issued on Sep. 21, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/705,334, filed on Jun. 22, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0121289 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E21B 43/26 (2006.01); F02C 9/20 (2006.01); F02C 7/32 (2006.01); F04B 17/05 (2006.01); F04B 49/10 (2006.01); F04B 49/20 (2006.01); F02C 7/36 (2006.01); F02C 3/10 (2006.01); F02C 7/268 (2006.01); F04B 49/08 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/2607 (2020.05) [F02C 3/10 (2013.01); F02C 7/268 (2013.01); F02C 7/32 (2013.01); F02C 7/36 (2013.01); F02C 9/20 (2013.01); F04B 17/05 (2013.01); F04B 49/08 (2013.01); F04B 49/103 (2013.01); F04B 49/20 (2013.01); F05D 2270/02 (2013.01); F05D 2270/052 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for controlling the pumping of fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a hydraulic fracturing unit, the hydraulic fracturing unit comprising:
receiving, via a fracturing unit controller, one or more starter signals indicative of start a turbine engine, thereby to cause, based at least in part on the one or more starter signals, a compressor turbine of the turbine engine to rotate at a target idle speed while a power turbine of the turbine engine remains at zero rotational speed;
receiving, via the fracturing unit controller, one or more target signals indicative of one or more of a target pressure associated with pumping fracturing fluid into a wellhead or a target flow rate associated with the fracturing fluid pumped into the wellhead;
receiving, via the fracturing unit controller, one or more fluid flow signals indicative of one or more of an actual pressure associated with pumping the fracturing fluid into the wellhead or an actual flow rate associated with pumping the fracturing fluid into the wellhead;
receiving, via the fracturing unit controller, one or more torque signals indicative of torque at one or more of a shaft of the compressor turbine, an output shaft of the power turbine, an input shaft of a transmission connected to the turbine engine, an output shaft of the transmission, or a drive shaft of a pump; and
controlling, via the fracturing unit controller, based at least in part on one or more of (a) the one or more target signals, (b) the one or more fluid flow signals, or (c) the one or more torque signals, one or more of:
a first rotational speed associated with the compressor turbine shaft connected to the compressor and the compressor turbine of the turbine engine;
a second rotational speed associated with the power turbine output shaft connected to the power turbine of the turbine engine; or
a third rotational speed associated with the transmission output shaft connected to the pump drive shaft of the pump when positioned to pump the fracturing fluid into the wellhead.