Bi-fuel reciprocating engine to power direct drive turbine fracturing pumps onboard auxiliary systems and related methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for supplying primary fuel and secondary fuel to an internal combustion engine may include supplying a first amount of the primary fuel and a second amount of the secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine. The system may include a first manifold to provide primary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a primary valve associated with the first manifold to provide fluid flow between a primary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A second manifold may provide secondary fuel to the internal combustion engine, and a fuel pump and/or a secondary valve may provide fluid flow between a secondary fuel source and the internal combustion engine. A controller may determine a total power load, the first amount of primary fuel, and the second amount of secondary fuel to supply to the internal combustion engine to meet the total power load.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system to supply primary fuel and secondary fuel to operate one or more engines, the system comprising:
 a first manifold positioned to provide fluid flow from a primary fuel source of primary fuel to the one or more engines;   a second manifold positioned to provide fluid flow from a secondary fuel supply of secondary fuel to the one or more engines;   one or more of: (a) a fuel pump positioned to pump fluid between the secondary fuel source and the one or more engines, or (b) one or more valves, associated with the second manifold and positioned to allow fluid flow between the secondary fuel source and the one or more engines when in an open position; and   a controller in communication with one or more of the valves or the fuel pump and configured to:
 receive one or more signals indicative of power load on the one or more engines; 
 determine, based at least in part on one or more signals indicative of power load on the one or more engines, a total power load; 
 determine, based at least in part on the total power load, a first amount of primary fuel to supply to the one or more engines and a second amount of secondary fuel to supply to the one or more engines; and 
 cause, based at least in part on the first amount and the second amount, one or more of: (a) the one or more valves, or (b) the fuel pump, to operate to supply the first amount of primary fuel and the second amount of secondary fuel to the one or more engines.