Method and apparatus for centrifugal blending system

摘要

Blending particulate and liquid to make slurry for use in oilfield operations is addressed. The blender has an upwardly facing particulate expeller with a flat base, raised hub, and generally radially extending, circumferentially spaced vanes extending upwardly from the base. The vanes extend from leading edges spaced about a vane inner diameter to tips spaced about a vane outer diameter. Adjacent expeller vanes define expeller passageways therebetween. The particulate expeller does not serve as a meaningful liquid impeller and the blender does not act significantly as a pump. The expeller has a several preferred diameter, clearance, height and length dimensions and ratios. Wide, deep expeller inlets and shallow, narrow outlets enhance particulate entry and minimize expeller torque. Vane extensions impart velocity to the particulate upon contact and minimize sensitivity to particulate entry velocity. Maximized circumferential overlap of adjacent vanes reduces liquid back-flow.