Abstract: A method includes processing a guar dispersion including guar particles and a fluid via an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device that breaks up at least some of the guar particles to reduce an average particle size of the guar particles. The method may further include combining an aqueous fluid with the guar dispersion to hydrate the guar, mixing a proppant with the hydrated guar to produce a fracture fluid, and hydraulic fracturing a well using the fracture fluid. The invention may allow for reduced hydration time of guar particles in the guar dispersion.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a fluid processing system utilizing an open-end filter assembly to produce a product fluid. The system includes a fluid pump to deliver the raw fluid to a fluid processor and a heat exchanger to control the temperature of the processed fluid. The processed fluid is sent to an open-end filter assembly that allows a first portion of the processed fluid to pass through a filter element. A second portion of the processed fluid does not pass through the filter element and is directed back to the high pressure pump for further processing. In one example, the open-end filter assembly includes an outer cylinder that surrounds a cylindrical filter element to create an outer flow channel and an inner flow channel. Fluid may be introduced to the outer flow channel in a tangential orientation to enhance circular flow around the filter element.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for mixing, reacting, or otherwise combining fluids. The fluid processing device includes opposing, annular flow channels of different annular path areas. A first fluid enters the fluid processing device and flows through the first annular flow channel while the second fluid enters the fluid processing device and flows through the second annular flow channel. The opposing flows of fluids collide with one another within the flow channels, and exit through an outlet. The different annular path areas of the two annular flow channels may allow the two fluids to have different densities, viscosities, or both.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to techniques for processing multiple fluid product streams. The techniques employ multiple intensifier pump systems in combination with a fluid processing device to mix, react or otherwise combine multiple fluid product streams. The intensifier pump systems produce fluid product streams with substantially uniform pressure levels for introduction into the fluid processing device. The fluid processing device directs the multiple fluid product streams at one another via opposing flow paths, providing a dispersed phase. The intensifier pump systems include supply pumps that deliver separate fluid products at intermediate pressure levels. Charge intensifier pumps receive the separate fluid products and apply hydraulic intensification to expel the products at high pressure levels. Product intensifier pumps receive the intensified fluid products and expel them at high pressures.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system that processes chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) slurries to reduce or eliminate large particles in the slurries, which can scratch integrated circuit wafers without substantially altering a percentage of solids in the CMP slurry by weight. In particular, the system breaks up particles of a CMP slurry using an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device. The techniques have proven much more effective than conventional filtering techniques in reducing or eliminating scratches to integrated circuit wafers when a processed CMP slurry is used in a CMP process.

Abstract: Producing magnetic-recording media includes providing a substrate and forming a plurality of functional layers over the substrate to provide a coated substrate adapted for recording. At least one of the layers of the magnetic-recording media is fluid jet printed as a printed layer. In some embodiments, the printed layer provides at least one of load-bearing functionality, head-cleaning functionality, adhesion-promoting functionality, reaction-promoting functionality, lubricating functionality, surface-cleansing functionality, magnetic-recording functionality, and edge-finishing functionality.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for shearing particles in a fluid mixture. The fluid processing device makes use of annular flow paths. For example, a fluid mixture can be separated into two flow paths which are introduced to first and second annular flow paths on opposite sides of a flow path cylinder. The two annular flow paths flow toward one another through the cylinder, and meet one another within the cylinder. An outlet extends through the cylinder where the two annular flow paths collide allowing the fluid mixture flowing down the annular flow paths to be expelled through the gap.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a high pressure fluid processing device for shearing particles in a fluid mixture. The fluid processing device makes use of annular flow paths. For example, a fluid mixture can be separated into two flow paths which are introduced to first and second annular flow paths on opposite sides of a flow path cylinder. The two annular flow paths flow toward one another through the cylinder, and meet one another within the cylinder. An outlet extends through the cylinder where the two annular flow paths collide allowing the fluid mixture flowing down the annular flow paths to be expelled through the gap.