Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for preparing wellbore viscous treatment gels from dry polymer and water. The apparatus includes an eductor which slurries dry polymer with water, at least two input tubes, wherein one input tube is connected with the eductor, and another to a water source. The apparatus also includes a mixing chimney connected to the input tubes. The mixing chimney includes a lower input section with inlets connected to the input tubes wherein a jet of metered dilution water is applied at high pressure to the incoming polymer-water slurry stream. This mixture is then accelerated in a circular, and preferably upward, motion where it is sheared against the wall of a central section of the chimney, without the use of an impeller. The chimney further includes an output section that comprising holes circumferentially located, through which the mixture passes from the central section and into a hydration tank.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for preparing wellbore viscous treatment gels from dry polymer and water. The apparatus includes an eductor which slurries dry polymer with water, at least two input tubes, wherein one input tube is connected with the eductor, and another to a water source. The apparatus also includes a mixing chimney connected to the input tubes. The mixing chimney includes a lower input section with inlets connected to the input tubes wherein a jet of metered dilution water is applied at high pressure to the incoming polymer-water slurry stream. This mixture is then accelerated in a circular, and preferably upward, motion where it is sheared against the wall of a central section of the chimney, without the use of an impeller. The chimney further includes an output section that comprising holes circumferentially located, through which the mixture passes from the central section and into a hydration tank.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for preparing wellbore viscous treatment gels from dry polymer and water. The apparatus includes an eductor which slurries dry polymer with water, at least two input tubes, wherein one input tube is connected with the eductor, and another to a water source. The apparatus also includes a mixing chimney connected to the input tubes. The mixing chimney includes a lower input section with inlets connected to the input tubes wherein a jet of metered dilution water is applied at high pressure to the incoming polymer-water slurry stream. This mixture is then accelerated in a circular, and preferably upward, motion where it is sheared against the wall of a central section of the chimney, without the use of an impeller. The chimney further includes an output section that comprising holes circumferentially located, through which the mixture passes from the central section and into a hydration tank.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a compacted polymeric powder to a flowable and meterable state. The polymeric powder is compacted during transport such that the flowability is hindered. To increase flowability, gas is introduced into the polymeric powder to condition the same to an improved flowable and meterable state.

Abstract: An aeration system for circulating an aerating fluid through a chemical composition within a container. The aeration system is closed-loop such that the aeration fluid is supplied by a fluid supply system to the interior of a container to aerate the chemical composition therein. The aeration fluid is returned to the fluid supply system for subsequent redelivery to the container. A filtering mechanism may be employed to remove large particulate matter from the aeration fluid prior to flowing back to the fluid supply system. The aeration process improves the flowability of the chemical composition thus facilitating the transferring and/or discharging of the chemical composition from the container. The aeration process may occur during transport, prior to discharging, and/or during a discharging or transferring operation.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a compacted polymeric powder to a flowable and meterable state. The polymeric powder is compacted during transport such that the flowability is hindered. To increase flowability, gas is introduced into the polymeric powder to condition the same to an improved flowable and meterable state.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a compacted polymeric powder to a flowable and meterable state. The polymeric powder is compacted during transport such that the flowability is hindered. To increase flowability, gas is introduced into the polymeric powder to condition the same to an improved flowable and meterable state.

Abstract: In the presence of certain polyols, a guar gum or similar polysaccharide thickener solution is boron crosslinked before achievement of complete hydration of the thickener, without compromising the viscosity level achieved in a fracturing fluid by the time it is pumped into the wellbore and fractures the subterranean formation adjacent the wellbore. Methods continuously involve hydrating a polysaccharide thickener to an extent of 10% to 75%, but less than full hydration. Before 75% hydration is exceeded, a boron crosslinker is added. Upon addition of the boron crosslinker, the fluid is injected into the wellbore to stimulate hydrocarbon production. Because less time is needed for hydration, well site mixing equipment is down-sized smaller to achieve better efficiency and cost savings.

Abstract: In the presence of certain polyols, a guar gum or similar polysaccharide thickener solution is boron crosslinked before achievement of complete hydration of the thickener, without compromising the viscosity level achieved in a fracturing fluid by the time it is pumped into the wellbore and fractures the subterranean formation adjacent the wellbore. Methods continuously involve hydrating a polysaccharide thickener to an extent of 10% to 75%, but less than full hydration. Before 75% hydration is exceeded, a boron crosslinker is added. Upon addition of the boron crosslinker, the fluid is injected into the wellbore to stimulate hydrocarbon production. Because less time is needed for hydration, well site mixing equipment is down-sized smaller to achieve better efficiency and cost savings.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a compacted polymeric powder to a flowable and meterable state. The polymeric powder is compacted during transport such that the flowability is hindered. To increase flowability, gas is introduced into the polymeric powder to condition the same to an improved flowable and meterable state.

Abstract: An aeration system for circulating an aerating fluid through a chemical composition within a container. The aeration system is closed-loop such that the aeration fluid is supplied by a fluid supply system to the interior of a container to aerate the chemical composition therein. The aeration fluid is returned to the fluid supply system for subsequent redelivery to the container. A filtering mechanism may be employed to remove large particulate matter from the aeration fluid prior to flowing back to the fluid supply system. The aeration process improves the flowability of the chemical composition thus facilitating the transferring and/or discharging of the chemical composition from the container. The aeration process may occur during transport, prior to discharging, and/or during a discharging or transferring operation.