Mobile water heating apparatus

Abstract

A system for heating water used to produce hydraulic fracturing fluid (“fracing fluid”). The system includes a mobile water heating system, and first and second pumps. The heating system is configured to heat water at a first flow rate from a first temperature to a second temperature. The first pump pumps water having the first temperature from a water source to the heating system at the first flow rate. The second pump pumps the heated water from the heating system at a second flow rate. Both the first and second flow rates are at least 20 barrels per minute. The second pump pumps the heated water to a location (e.g., one or more tanks) whereat a proppant and/or a chemical may be added to the heated water to produce fracing fluid. The fracing fluid may be pumped to one or more wells and used to hydraulically fracture an underground formation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for use with a water source, the method comprising:
 pumping, with at least one first pump, water having a first temperature from the water source to a mobile water heating system at a first flow rate of at least 20 barrels per minute;   heating, with the mobile water heating system, the water pumped to the mobile water heating system to a second temperature greater than the first temperature; and   pumping, with at least one second pump, the heated water from the mobile water heating system at a second flow rate of at least 20 barrels per minute to a location whereat at least one of a proppant and a chemical are added to the heated water to produce fracing fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the location is at least one tank. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a water reservoir in which water heated to the second temperature collects, and the at least one second pump pumps heated water from the water reservoir at the second flow rate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second temperature is at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the first temperature. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flow rates are each at least 100 barrels per minute. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second temperature is at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the first temperature, and the first and second flow rates are each at least 100 barrels per minute. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a first truck, and the at least one first pump is transported by a second truck that is different from the first truck. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a first truck, the at least one first pump is a first single pump transported by a second truck that is different from the first truck, and the at least one second pump is a second single pump transported by a third truck that is different from the first and second trucks. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a first truck, and the at least one second pump is transported by a second truck that is different from the first truck. 
     
     
         10 . A system for use with a water source and at least one tank, the system comprising:
 a mobile water heating system configured to heat water at a first flow rate of at least 20 barrels per minute from a first temperature to a second temperature that is greater than the first temperature;   at least one first pump configured to pump water having the first temperature from the water source to the mobile water heating system at the first flow rate; and   at least one second pump configured to pump the heated water at a second flow rate of at least 20 barrels per minute from the mobile water heating system to the at least one tank whereat at least one of a proppant and a chemical are added to the heated water to produce fracing fluid.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a water reservoir in which water heated to the second temperature collects, and the at least one second pump pumps heated water from the water reservoir at the second flow rate. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a plurality of water heaters each configured to heat a portion of the water pumped to the mobile water heating system from the first temperature to the second temperature and supply the heated water to the water reservoir. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a plurality of water heaters connected together in a series,
 water pumped to the mobile water heating system flows through and is heated by each of the plurality of water heaters; and   water pumped to the mobile water heating system enters a first of the plurality of water heaters at the first temperature and exits a last of the plurality of water heaters at the second temperature.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second temperature is at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the first temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second flow rates are each at least 100 barrels per minute. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the second temperature is at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the first temperature, and the first and second flow rates are each at least 100 barrels per minute. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a first truck, and the at least one first pump is transported by a second truck that is different from the first truck. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a first truck, the at least one first pump is a first single pump transported by a second truck that is different from the first truck, and the at least one second pump is a second single pump transported by a third truck that is different from the first and second trucks. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the mobile water heating system comprises a first truck, and the at least one second pump is transported by a second truck that is different from the first truck. 
     
     
         20 . A mobile water heating system for use with a water source, at least one first pump, and at least one second pump, the system comprising:
 a vehicle; and   a water heater that is operably attached to the vehicle and movable therewith as a unit, the water heater comprising:   at least one water inlet couplable to the at least one first pump, the at least one water inlet being configured to receive water from the at least one first pump at a first flow rate of at least 20 barrels per minute;   a heating assembly configured to receive water from the at least one water inlet and heat the water received from the at least one water inlet from a first temperature to a second temperature; and   a water reservoir couplable to the at least one second pump, the water reservoir being configured to receive heated water from the heating assembly, and supply the heated water at a second flow rate of at least 20 barrels per minute to the at least one second pump.   
     
     
         21 . The mobile water heating system of  claim 20 , wherein the second temperature is at least 8 degrees Fahrenheit greater than the first temperature. 
     
     
         22 . The mobile water heating system of  claim 20 , wherein the water heater further comprises a manifold and a shell;
 the shell at least partially defines a first internal volume;   the manifold is positioned above the water reservoir;   the manifold comprises the at least one water inlet and a plurality of nozzles positioned to spray a first portion of the water received by the at least one water inlet within the first internal volume;   the first portion of the water travels downwardly though the first internal volume and is received by the water reservoir;   the heating assembly comprises a heating coil and a burner;   the heating coil is positioned at least partially within the first internal volume;   the heating coil has a tube coiled to define a second internal volume;   the tube comprises a tube inlet and a tube outlet;   the tube inlet is positioned to receive a second portion of the water from the manifold;   the second portion flows through the coiled tube to the tube outlet;   the tube outlet discharges the second portion into the water reservoir; and   the burner is positioned to direct flames into the second internal volume to heat the first and second portions of the water before the first and second portions are received by the water reservoir.