A microprocessor based control system has been developed which automatically controls sand delivery of a fracturing blender to help maintain a desired sand concentration setpoint in the fracturing fluid exiting the blender. The computational speed and input/output capabilities of the system's microprocessor have resulted in steady sand concentration traces and fast sand concentration step changes. Non-standard "ramping" sand concentration schedules have been performed routinely and without difficulty using this automatic control system.

Subject paper describes the theory of operation, details of the basic design, and blending capabilities of the automatic control system. Field test results are also presented.

Documentation of control system operation is presented in the form of strip chart data collected during several fracturing operations.

Keywords:
automatic sand delivery system, sand delivery system, blender, produced sand management, concentration, microprocessor control, hydraulic fracturing, delivery rate, sand concentration schedule, fracturing materials
Subjects:
Hydraulic Fracturing, Fracturing materials (fluids, proppant), Produced sand / solids management and control, Well Operations and Optimization, Well Operations, Optimization and Stimulation
Copyright 1987, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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