SPRAY SET-UP FOR ON-THE-FLY TREATMENT OF PROPPANTS

摘要

A proppant slurry is formed by lifting dry proppant using one or more augers and distributing an additive to modify the dry proppant as it falls from the top of the augers into a blender tub. Water is added to the blender tub and the modified proppant for forming the proppant slurry. The additive hydrophobically modifies surfaces of the proppant, typically sand, to produce stable proppant/bubble aggregations for forming proppant packs when introduced into formation fractures. The additive is distributed using main spray nozzles directed downwardly onto the falling proppant in a direction of fall of the proppant. Auxiliary spray nozzles protrude upwards into the proppant and distribute additive within and beneath the falling proppant and in a direction of travel thereat. Spray orifices further distribute additive to the falling proppant.