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US-20260125973-A1 - SHIELD FOR ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY OF A TURBINE AND RELATED METHODS

US20260125973A1US 20260125973 A1US20260125973 A1US 20260125973A1US-20260125973-A1

Abstract

Systems can comprise a prime mover and an enclosure. The enclosure can include a body that comprises walls and one or more anti-ballistic materials. The prime mover can be housed in the body of the enclosure. For at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure, at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s) can be attached to an inner surface of the wall. Each of the anti-ballistic material(s) may be in the form of a woven fabric comprising para-aramid fibers. In some examples, for each of the pumping unit(s), the walls of the enclosure's body include opposing first and second sidewalls; and opposing front and rear walls, each extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall; wherein for each of the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls, at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s) is attached to the inner surface of the wall.

Inventors

  • Heber Martinez Barron
  • Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon
  • Tony Yeung

Assignees

  • BJ ENERGY SOLUTIONS, LLC

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20250825

Claims (20)

  1. 1 . A hydraulic fracturing system comprising: one or more water tanks; one or more proppant tanks; a blender configured to receive water from the water tank(s) and proppant from the proppant tank(s); and one or more pumping units, each comprising: a hydraulic fracturing pump that is in fluid communication with: the blender; and one or more wellheads; a prime mover configured to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump; and an enclosure that includes: a body that comprises walls; and one or more anti-ballistic materials; wherein: the prime mover is housed in the body of the enclosure; and at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure comprises the anti-ballistic material(s).
  2. 2 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1 , wherein for each of the pumping unit(s), each of the anti-ballistic material(s) is in a form of a woven fabric that comprises para-aramid fibers.
  3. 3 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 2 , wherein for each of the pumping unit(s), the walls of the body of the enclosure include: opposing first and second sidewalls; and opposing front and rear walls, each extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall; wherein for each of the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls, at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s) is disposed within the wall.
  4. 4 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 3 , wherein for each of the pumping unit(s), the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls each comprise a metal.
  5. 5 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 3 , wherein for each of the pumping unit(s), the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls each include multiple layers, the layers including: inner and outer metallic layers; and a foam layer and/or a mineral wool layer that are each disposed between the inner and outer metallic layers.
  6. 6 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 5 , wherein the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls each have a thickness that is between 4.5 and 5.25 inches.
  7. 7 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 5 , wherein for each of the pumping unit(s): the prime mover comprises a gas turbine engine that is in fluid communication with at least one fuel supply; the pumping unit comprises a gearbox that: is operatively connected to the prime mover; and is housed in the body of the enclosure; and the hydraulic fracturing pump is disposed outside of the body of the enclosure and is operatively connected to the gearbox via a driveshaft.
  8. 8 . The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 1 , wherein for each of the pumping unit(s), the anti-ballistic material(s) is disposed within at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure.
  9. 9 . A system comprising: a prime mover configured to drive: a hydraulic fracturing pump; or an electric power generator; and an enclosure that includes: a body that comprises walls; and one or more anti-ballistic materials; wherein: the prime mover is housed in the body of the enclosure; and for at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure containing at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s).
  10. 10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein each of the anti-ballistic material(s) is in a form of a woven fabric that comprises para-aramid fibers.
  11. 11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the walls of the body of the enclosure include: opposing first and second sidewalls; and opposing front and rear walls, each extending from the first sidewall to the second sidewall; wherein for each of the first and second sidewalls, at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s) is contained therein.
  12. 12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls each comprise a metal.
  13. 13 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls each include multiple layers, the layers including: inner and outer metallic layers; and a foam layer and/or a mineral wool layer that are each disposed between the inner and outer metallic layers.
  14. 14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the first and second sidewalls and front and rear walls each have a thickness that is between 4.5 and 5.25 inches.
  15. 15 . The system of claim 9 , wherein: the prime mover comprises a gas turbine engine; the system comprises a gearbox that: is operatively connected to the prime mover; and is housed in the body of the enclosure; and the hydraulic fracturing pump or electric power generator is disposed outside of the body of the enclosure and is operatively connected to the gearbox via a driveshaft.
  16. 16 . The system of claim 13 , wherein for the anti-ballistic material(s) is disposed within the inner and outer metallic layers of the at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure.
  17. 17 . A system comprising: a prime mover configured to drive: a hydraulic fracturing pump; or an electric power generator; and an enclosure that includes: a body that comprises walls; and one or more anti-ballistic materials; wherein: the prime mover is housed in the body of the enclosure; and for at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure disposed adjacent to at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s).
  18. 18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein: the prime mover comprises a gas turbine engine; the system comprises a gearbox that: is operatively connected to the prime mover; and is housed in the body of the enclosure; and the hydraulic fracturing pump or electric power generator is disposed outside of the body of the enclosure and is operatively connected to the gearbox via a driveshaft.
  19. 19 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the anti-ballistic material(s) is suspended adjacent to an inner surface of at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure.
  20. 20 . The system of claim 17 , wherein a length of the anti-ballistic material(s) is disposed substantially parallel to an inner surface of at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/735,890 filed Jun. 6, 2024 and entitled “SHIELD FOR ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY OF A TURBINE AND RELATED METHODS, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/506,506 filed Jun. 6, 2023 and entitled “SHIELD FOR ENCLOSURE ASSEMBLY OF A TURBINE AND RELATED METHODS,” the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. FIELD OF INVENTION This disclosure relates to systems and methods for increasing the safety of a prime mover such as a gas turbine engine used in, for example, hydraulic fracturing or electrical power generation. BACKGROUND Prime movers like gas turbine engines are used in various industries, including but not limited to hydraulic fracturing and electrical power generation. However, operating these engines comes with certain safety concerns, especially in environments where catastrophic failures can occur. Such failures can result in the fracture and detachment of components within the prime mover, posing a significant risk to workers in the field. In industries, such as hydraulic fracturing, where gas turbine engines are often employed to power drilling equipment and other machinery, the need for enhanced safety measures is paramount. The intense vibrations, high temperatures, and extreme operating conditions experienced by these engines can lead to the failure of critical components (e.g., turbine or compressor blades), causing them to break apart and become dangerous projectiles. The potential release of these projectiles poses a severe threat to the safety of personnel and equipment in the vicinity of the prime mover. The projectiles can travel under considerable speed and over considerable distances, and can accordingly cause serious injuries and significant damage to surrounding structures and machinery. Addressing this safety concern is important to ensure the well-being of personnel working in close proximity to the prime movers. Furthermore, prime movers like gas turbine engines can produce a significant amount of noise, which can be disruptive both for personnel working on site and for individuals in the area surrounding the site. Accordingly, the inventors have recognized that a need exists for mitigating the risks associated with catastrophic failures of prime movers like gas turbine engines, and also to attenuate the sound produced by prime movers. The inventors have also recognized a need for a robust solution that can effectively contain and prevent the projection of fragments from prime movers like gas turbine engines, particularly those used in mobile power generation and hydraulic fracturing. The present disclosure addresses these and other related and unrelated problems in the art. SUMMARY Embodiments of the present disclosure can mitigate the risks associated with catastrophic failures of prime movers and/or attenuate the sound produced by prime movers through the use of an enclosure that can house a prime mover. In some embodiments, the enclosure can comprise one or more anti-ballistic materials to promote safety. In such embodiments, for at least one of the walls of the body of the enclosure, at least one of the anti-ballistic material(s) can be attached to the wall, preferably to the wall's inner surface. The anti-ballistic material(s), working in conjunction with the walls of the body of the enclosure, can help contain debris projected outward by the prime mover in the event of a catastrophic failure and can thereby improve safety. The anti-ballistic material(s) preferably comprise a woven fabric that includes fibers such as para-aramid fibers that can effectively catch debris from the prime mover. To attenuate the sound produced by the prime mover, in some embodiments at least one—or up to and including each—of the walls of the body of the enclosure can have a multi-layered construction that can help deaden the sound produced by the prime mover (and, optionally, other drive equipment housed by the enclosure). For example, at least one—or up to and including each—of the walls can have outer and inner metallic layers (e.g., comprising aluminum that, optionally, is perforated) and a foam layer and/or a composite layer (e.g., comprising mineral wool) disposed between the metallic layers. The metallic layers can provide structural support, and the foam layer and/or composite layer can promote the attenuation of sound produced within the body of the enclosure. Some of the embodiments comprise a prime mover. The prime mover, in some systems, is configured to drive a hydraulic fracturing pump or an electric power generator. Some systems comprise an enclosure. Some of the embodiments of the hydraulic fracturing systems comprise one or more pumping units. In some hydraulic fracturing systems, each of the pumping unit(s) comprises a hydraulic fracturing pump and a prime mover configured to drive the hydraulic fracturing pum