Electrostatic particulate coating methods and apparatus for fracturing fluids

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for making up fracturing fluid with coated proppant. The apparatus applies opposed electrical charges to the proppant and its coating to create a uniform coating without extensive mechanical mixing, and additionally, the apparatus applies opposed electrical charges to the coated proppant and fracturing fluid to enhance mixing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for use in coating proppant material with proppant coating fluid for mixing with fracturing fluid, comprising:
 a housing forming a chamber that is open at the top and bottom and unobstructed to allow proppant fed to the top opening to drop there through the housing and out the bottom opening;   an electrically-charged plate mounted in the housing chamber; and   a proppant coating fluid nozzle, located below the charged plate and having an opposite electrical charge.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for use in coating proppant material with proppant coating fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the electrically-charged plate is vertically extending. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for use in coating proppant material with proppant coating fluid of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of nozzles are located in the path of the proppant. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for use in coating proppant material with proppant coating fluid of  claim 1 , wherein the proppant coating fluid nozzle is configured to discharge a tackifying fluid.