High pressure solids pump

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to an abrasive particles injection system. In one aspect, a high pressure solids pump for use in an abrasive particles injection system is provided. The high pressure solids pump includes a pump body having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The high pressure solids pump further includes a first valve connected to the inlet for allowing abrasive particles to enter the chamber. The high pressure solids pump also includes a second valve connected to the outlet for allowing pressurized abrasive particles to exit the chamber. Additionally, the high pressure solids pump includes a piston member movable within the chamber of the pump body, wherein the piston member is configured to pressurize the abrasive particles. In another aspect, a method of injecting abrasive particles into a high pressure line is provided.

1 . A high pressure solids pump for use in an abrasive particles injection system, the pump comprising:
 a pump body having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet;   a first valve connected to the inlet for allowing abrasive particles to enter the chamber;   a second valve connected to the outlet for allowing the abrasive particles to exit the chamber; and   a piston member movable within the chamber of the pump body, wherein the piston member is configured to pressurize the chamber and force the abrasive particles through the second valve.   
     
     
         2 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the first valve is a one-way valve. 
     
     
         3 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein the one-way valve is formed from an abrasive resistant material. 
     
     
         4 . The pump of  claim 2 , wherein the one-way valve includes a ball member biased against a seat for providing one-way flow. 
     
     
         5 . The pump of  claim 4 , wherein the seat comprises a knife-edge profile. 
     
     
         6 . The pump of  claim 1 , wherein the second valve is a one-way valve. 
     
     
         7 . The pump of  claim 6 , wherein the one-way valve is formed from an abrasive resistant material. 
     
     
         8 . The pump of  claim 6 , wherein the one-way valve includes a ball member biased against a seat for providing one-way flow. 
     
     
         9 . The pump of  claim 8 , wherein the seat comprises a knife-edge profile. 
     
     
         10 . The pump of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a hydraulic drive, a piston retraction assembly, and a pressurization port for operating the piston member. 
     
     
         11 . A method of injecting abrasive particles into a high pressure line, the method comprising:
 feeding abrasive particles though an inlet valve and into a chamber of a high pressure solids pump;   pressurizing the chamber by moving a piston into the chamber of the high pressure solids pump; and   forcing the abrasive particles in the pressurized chamber through an outlet valve connected to the chamber and into the high pressure line.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the inlet and outlet valves are one-way valves. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one-way valves comprise an abrasive resistant material. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one-way valves include a ball member and a seat, and further comprising biasing the ball member against the seat to provide one-way flow. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the seat comprises a knife-edge profile. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising feeding a fluid through the chamber and the inlet and outlet valves with the abrasive particles. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the abrasive particles comprise steel shot, and further comprising feeding the steel shot through the inlet valve from one or more wet tanks connected to the high pressure solids pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising continuously feeding the abrasive particles into the chamber and into the high pressure line. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting an injection rate of the abrasive particles into the high pressure line. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising operating the piston using at least one of a hydraulic drive, a piston retraction assembly, and a pressurization port.