System and method for providing heated water for well related activities

Abstract

A system is provided that allows relatively low temperature water to be withdrawn from a pipeline, heated and then returned to the pipeline. At least one embodiment includes a device for adjusting the rate of flow through a primary pipe so that desired temperatures are maintained during the heating process.

1 - 31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . A water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus for heating and adjusting a water flow in an oil/gas well treatment system, the system having a water source with upstream piping, the system having downstream piping, the water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus comprising:
 one or more water heaters configured for heating water;   a primary pipe for coupling to the upstream piping and the downstream piping;   a lateral outlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral outlet pipe configured for one-way flow of water from the primary pipe to the one or more water heaters;   a lateral inlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral inlet pipe configured for one-way flow of water from the one or more water heaters to the primary pipe, wherein a lateral inlet pipe connection that connects the lateral inlet pipe to the primary pipe is located downstream of a lateral outlet pipe connection that connects the lateral outlet pipe to the primary pipe; and   a valve situated within the primary pipe and located between the lateral outlet pipe connection and the lateral inlet pipe connection.   
     
     
         33 . The water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         34 . The water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a temperature gauge operatively associated with the primary pipe for sensing a temperature within the primary pipe. 
     
     
         35 . The water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising at least one secondary valve operatively associated with at least one of the lateral outlet pipe and the lateral inlet pipe. 
     
     
         36 . The water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 35 , wherein the at least one secondary valve comprises a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         37 . The water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 32 , further comprising a temperature gauge downstream of the primary pipe, wherein the temperature gauge is operatively associated with a liquid storage member. 
     
     
         38 . The water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 37 , wherein the liquid storage member comprises one or more of a tank, container, pond, and liquid holding apparatus. 
     
     
         39 . A method of heating water using the water heating, diverting and restricting apparatus of  claim 35 , comprising:
 diverting water flowing through the primary pipe to the one or more water heaters using the lateral outlet pipe;   heating the water using the one or more water heaters;   returning the heated water through the lateral inlet pipe to the primary pipe;   monitoring a temperature of water in the primary pipe using the temperature gauge; and   adjusting a flow of water through the primary pipe by adjusting the valve.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising adjusting a flow of water through at least one of the secondary lateral outlet and secondary lateral inlet using the at least one secondary valve. 
     
     
         41 . An assembly adapted for use with an oil/gas well treatment system that uses a water source to treat an oil/gas well, the assembly comprising:
 one or more water heaters configured for heating water;   a primary pipe for conveying water from the water source;   a lateral outlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral outlet pipe configured for one-way flow of water from the primary pipe to the one or more water heaters;   a lateral inlet pipe connected to the primary pipe, the lateral inlet pipe configured for one-way flow of water from the one or more water heaters to the primary pipe, wherein a lateral inlet pipe connection that connects the lateral inlet pipe to the primary pipe is located downstream of a lateral outlet pipe connection that connects the lateral outlet pipe to the primary pipe; and   a flow restriction apparatus situated within the primary pipe and located between the lateral outlet pipe connection and the lateral inlet pipe connection.   
     
     
         42 . The assembly of  claim 41 , wherein the flow restriction apparatus comprises a valve. 
     
     
         43 . The assembly of  claim 42 , wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         44 . The assembly of  claim 41 , further comprising a temperature gauge operatively associated with the primary pipe for sensing a temperature within the primary pipe. 
     
     
         45 . The assembly of  claim 41 , further comprising at least one secondary valve operatively associated with at least one of the lateral outlet pipe and the lateral inlet pipe. 
     
     
         46 . The assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one secondary valve comprises a butterfly valve. 
     
     
         47 . The assembly of  claim 41 , further comprising a temperature gauge downstream of the primary pipe, wherein the temperature gauge is operatively associated with a liquid storage member. 
     
     
         48 . The assembly of  claim 47 , wherein the liquid storage member comprises one or more of a tank, container, pond, and liquid holding apparatus. 
     
     
         49 . A method of heating water using the assembly of  claim 45 , comprising:
 diverting water flowing through the primary pipe to the one or more water heaters using the lateral outlet pipe;   heating the water using the one or more water heaters;   returning the heated water through the lateral inlet pipe to the primary pipe;   monitoring a temperature of water in the primary pipe using the temperature gauge; and   adjusting a flow of water through the primary pipe by adjusting the flow restriction apparatus.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising adjusting a flow of water through at least one of the secondary lateral outlet and secondary lateral inlet using the at least one secondary valve.