(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2014/0219824 A1
`Burnette
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 7, 2014
`
`US 20140219824A1
`
`(54) PUMP SYSTEMAND METHOD THEREOF
`(71) Applicant: Blake Burnette, Tomball, TX (US)
`(72) Inventor: Blake Burnette, Tomball, TX (US)
`(73) Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston,
`TX (US)
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/760,340
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 6, 2013
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`F04B 9/04
`F04B 23/06
`F04B 47/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................. F04B 9/042 (2013.01); F04B 47/00
`(2013.01); F04B 23/06 (2013.01)
`USPC .............................. 417/53; 417/343; 417/234
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A pump system includes a plurality of pump assemblies. Each
`pump assembly having a power assembly and a fluid assem
`bly. Each power assembly of each pump assembly includes a
`crankshaft, an input connection, and an output connection.
`The input connection of one pump assembly among the plu
`rality of pump assemblies connected to the output connection
`of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assem
`blies; at least one lead pump assembly within the plurality of
`pump assemblies configured to be connected to a prime
`mover commonly driving the plurality of pump assemblies.
`Also included is a method of pumping pressurized fluid to a
`site.
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`PUMP SYSTEMAND METHOD THEREOF
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`0001. In the drilling and completion industry, the forma
`tion of boreholes for the purpose of production or injection of
`fluid is common The boreholes are used for exploration or
`extraction of natural resources Such as hydrocarbons, oil, gas,
`water, and alternatively for CO2 sequestration. To increase
`the production from a borehole, the production Zone can be
`fractured to allow the formation fluids to flow more freely
`from the formation to the borehole. The fracturing operation
`includes pumping fluids at high pressure towards the forma
`tion to form formation fractures. To retain the fractures in an
`open condition after fracturing pressure is removed, the frac
`tures must be physically propped open, and therefore the
`fracturing fluids commonly include Solid granular materials,
`Such as sand, generally referred to as proppants. Other com
`ponents of the fracturing fluids typically include water, gel, or
`other chemical additives.
`0002 The pressure required for hydraulic fracturing of a
`formation, for example, often requires fracturing fluid to be
`pumped at pressures of 10,000 to 15,000 psi in order to create
`a fracture in the formation. To pump the fracturing fluids at
`the high pressures required for fracturing, crankshaft driven
`positive displacement pumps are used. The crankshaft driven
`positive displacement pumps include a fluid end and a power
`end. The fluid end includes a number of plungers driven by a
`crankshaft toward and away from a chamber in order to affect
`a high or low pressure on the chamber. The fluid end receives
`relatively low pressure fluid, and pressurizes the fluid to pro
`vide higher pressurized fracturing fluid at the required pres
`sure for fracturing within the borehole. The power end
`includes or is attached to a pump powering mechanism also
`known as a prime mover, commonly an electric motor, which
`connects to the crankshaft or a pinion shaft to drive the power
`end.
`0003. The art would be receptive to improved apparatus
`and methods for hydraulic fluid fracturing pumps.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION
`0004. A pump system including a plurality of pump
`assemblies, each pump assembly having a power assembly
`and a fluid assembly, each power assembly of each pump
`assembly including a crankshaft, an input connection, and an
`output connection, the input connection of one pump assem
`bly among the plurality of pump assemblies connected to the
`output connection of one pump assembly among the plurality
`of pump assemblies; at least one lead pump assembly within
`the plurality of pump assemblies configured to be connected
`to a prime mover commonly driving the plurality of pump
`assemblies.
`0005. A method of pumping pressurized fluid to a site, the
`method including selecting a prime mover, selecting a num
`ber of pump assemblies, each pump assembly having a power
`assembly and a fluid assembly, each power assembly includ
`ing a crankshaft, an input connection, and an output connec
`tion; arranging the pump assemblies on a Surface; connecting
`the input connection of each pump to an output connection of
`an adjacent upstream pump; and, connecting at least one lead
`pump to the prime mover to commonly drive the plurality of
`pumps.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0006. The following descriptions should not be consid
`ered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying
`drawings, like elements are numbered alike:
`0007 FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary
`embodiment of a pump system mounted on a trailer bed of a
`truck;
`0008 FIG. 2 shows a side view of an exemplary embodi
`ment of a pump system mounted on a flatbed of a train;
`0009 FIG. 3 shows a top view of the exemplary pump
`system of FIG. 2;
`0010 FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a pump
`assembly according to the prior art;
`0011
`FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of two adjacent
`exemplary pump assemblies usable in the exemplary pump
`system of FIGS. 1-3:
`0012 FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another exem
`plary embodiment of a pump assembly usable in the exem
`plary pump system of FIGS. 1-3:
`0013 FIG.7 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary
`embodiment of a reciprocating pump assembly having two
`fluid assemblies; and,
`0014 FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of another
`exemplary embodiment of a reciprocating pump assembly
`having two fluid assemblies.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`(0015. A detailed description of one or more embodiments
`of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by
`way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to
`the Figures.
`0016. With reference to FIG.1, a pump system 10 is shown
`mounted on a platform 12, such as at least one trailer bed 14
`of a truck 16 for portability. In the illustrated embodiment,
`two linked trailer beds 14 are employed that are pulled by the
`truck 16. As shown in FIGS. 2-3, the pump system 10 is
`alternatively illustrated as mounted upon a flatbed 18 of a
`train 20 and pulled by a train 20. While FIGS. 1-3 advanta
`geously illustrate a portable pump system 10, it would be
`within the scope of these embodiments to also provide the
`pump system 10 on any type of mounting Surface or platform
`12 including other Surfaces designed for portability as well as
`those designed as a permanent or semi-permanent fixtures.
`0017. The pump system 10 further includes or utilizes a
`prime mover 22, and is particularly designed to take advan
`tage of higher HP prime movers 22. The prime mover 22
`could be an electric motor Such as a Super conducting electric
`motor or an internal combustion engine Such as a turbine
`engine, or diesel engine, although other prime movers 22 are
`within the scope of these embodiments. The illustrated prime
`mover 22 of FIG. 1 is a turbine engine. A radiator 24 is
`additionally provided for cooling. A gearbox 26 is positioned
`between the prime mover 22 and the remainder of the pump
`system 10. At least one output shaft 28 extends from the gear
`box 26 and connects a lead pump assembly 30 of the pump
`system 10 to the prime mover 22 via the gear box 26. In the
`illustrated embodiments, two output shafts 28 extend from
`the gearbox 26, although the gearbox 26 is not limited to one
`or two outputs and may alternatively include additional out
`puts.
`Enabled by the output or power rating of the high
`00.18
`horsepower prime mover 22, the pump system 10 includes a
`plurality of pump assemblies 32, at least two of which are
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`arranged end-to-end using connections as will be further
`described below. Each pump assembly 32 is a positive dis
`placement pump, in particular a reciprocating pump assem
`bly 32 as shown. The pump assembly 32 is usable for a
`fracturing application in which fracturing fluid. Such as, but
`not limited to a proppant filled slurry, is pumped downhole
`into a borehole for creating and potentially propping fractures
`in a formation. While particularly suited for a fracturing
`application, the pump system 10 may be employed in other
`applications. Each pump assembly 32 includes a power
`assembly 34, sometimes referred to as a power end, and a
`fluid assembly 36, sometimes referred to as a fluid end. The
`power assembly 34 includes a crankshaft housing 38 which
`houses a crankshaft as will be further described below. A
`crosshead assembly 40 is interposed between the power
`assembly 34 and the fluid assembly 36. The crosshead assem
`bly 40 converts rotational movement within the power assem
`bly 34 into reciprocating movement to actuate internal pistons
`or plungers of the fluid assembly 36. While the illustrated
`pump assemblies 32 include five internal pistons to pump the
`fluid in the fluid assemblies 36, an alternate number of pistons
`may be provided in each pump assembly 32, or alternatively
`an alternate number or pistons in different pump assemblies
`32.
`0019. With reference to FIG. 3, the fluid assembly 36
`includes an input valve connected to an inlet 42 and an output
`valve connected to an outlet 44. The inlets 42 of the pump
`assemblies 32 are connected to a source of fluid, Such as a
`proppant filled slurry. The outlets 44 of the pump assemblies
`32 may be connected to hoses, piping or the like to direct
`pressurized fluid to a borehole. Withdrawal of a piston during
`a suction stroke pulls fluid into the fluid assembly 36 through
`the input valve that is connected to the inlet 42. Subsequently
`pushed during a power stroke, the piston then forces the fluid
`under pressure out through the output valve connected to the
`outlet 44.
`0020. An exemplary embodiment of the internal mechan
`ics of a reciprocating pump assembly 100 is shown in FIG. 4.
`The power assembly 114 includes a crankshaft 134 rotatable
`about a longitudinal axis 136. The crankshaft 134 includes a
`plurality of eccentrically arranged crankpins 142 (or alterna
`tively a plurality of eccentric sheaves), and a connecting rod
`144 is connected to each crankpin 142. The connecting rods
`144 connect the crankpins 142 to the pistons 146 via the
`crosshead assembly 122. The connecting rods 144 are con
`nected to a crosshead 148 using a wrist pin 150 that allows the
`connecting rods 144 to pivot with respect to the crosshead
`148, which in turn is connected to the pistons 146. The lon
`gitudinal axis 152 of each of the pistons 146 is perpendicular
`to the longitudinal axis (rotational axis) 136 of the crankshaft
`134. When the crankshaft 134 turns, the crankpins 142 recip
`rocate the connecting rods 144. Moved by the connecting
`rods 144, the crosshead 148 reciprocates inside fixed cylin
`ders. In turn, the pistons 146 coupled to the crosshead 148
`also reciprocate between Suction and power strokes in the
`fluid assembly 116. Input valves 154 are connected to the inlet
`126 and output valves 156 are connected to the outlet. The
`fluid assembly 116 includes vertical passages 158 for passing
`fluid from each of the input valves 154 to respective output
`valves 156. The fluid assembly 116 also includes horizontal
`passages 160 that are directed along the longitudinal axis 152
`of the pistons 146. The horizontal passages 160 are in fluid
`communication with the vertical passages 158. Withdrawal of
`a piston 146 during a suction stroke pulls fluid into the fluid
`
`assembly 116 through an input valve 154 that is connected to
`an inlet 166. Subsequently pushed during a power stroke, a
`piston 146 then forces the fluid underpressure out through the
`output valve 156 connected to an outlet 168. Pressure relief
`valves 162 are further included at a location opposite the
`pistons 146, at an end of the horizontal passages 160 of the
`fluid assembly 116, and are employed if a predetermined
`pressure threshold is reached within the first horizontal pas
`sages 160.
`0021. The pump assemblies 32 may operate in a similar
`fashion to the pump assembly 100, except that the crankshafts
`48 of adjacent pump assemblies 32 are interconnected as
`described herein. With reference to FIGS. 1-3, and further
`reference to FIG. 5, the prime mover 22 drives the pump
`assemblies 32 via the gear box 26, output shaft(s) 28, and
`input flanges 50 of the pump assemblies 32. If the pump
`assemblies 32 are not directly connected to the output shaft 28
`of the gear box 26 (that is, if the pump assembly 32 is not a
`lead pump assembly 30), then the input flange 50 of a down
`line pump assembly 32 is driven by the output shaft 52 of an
`upstream adjacent pump assembly 32. The crankshaft 48 can
`be rotated directly by an input end of the crankshaft 48.
`Alternatively, the pump assembly 32 can include a pinion
`shaft (not shown) that engages with the crankshaft 48, and the
`pinion shaft is rotatable by the prime mover 22 which in turn
`moves the crankshaft 48. The output shaft 52 may be centered
`in-line with a rotational axis 54 of the crank shaft 48, may be
`a portion of the crank shaft 48 that extends exteriorly of the
`crankshaft housing 38, may be centered in line with a rota
`tional axis of a pinion shaft (not shown) that rotates the
`crankshaft, or alternatively the output shaft 52 may be other
`wise offset from the crankshaft 48. The output shaft can come
`off the back of the power assembly 34 as shown in FIG. 5, or
`can come out of a planetary gearbox 56 on the pump assem
`bly 32 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In any of the above
`described exemplary embodiments, the prime mover 22 is
`employed to rotate the crankshaft 48 within the crankshaft
`housing 38 of each respective pump assembly 32.
`0022. To connect one pump assembly 32 to an adjacent
`pump assembly 32, input connections 58 and output connec
`tions 60 are employed that are either directly connected to
`each other as shown in FIGS. 2-3 or connectable by a linking
`rod 62 as shown in FIG. 5. In an exemplary embodiment, the
`input connection 58 may be substantially identical to the
`output connection 60 except that the input connection 58 is
`attached to the input flange 50 and the output connection 60 is
`attached to the output shaft 52. In the illustrated embodiment,
`the input and output connections 58, 60 include plates 64
`fixedly connected to the input flange 50 and output shaft 52.
`If connected by a linking rod 62, the linking rod 62 may also
`include the plates 64. The plates 64 are illustrated as having a
`Surface that extends Substantially perpendicular to an axis of
`rotation 54 of the crankshaft 48. The plates 64 are shown to
`include a plurality of apertures 66. When the apertures 66 of
`face-to-face plates 64 are aligned, a connector can be passed
`through the apertures such that the input connection 58 is
`connected to the output connection 60. While apertures and
`connectors are described for connecting the input and output
`connections 58, 60, one of the input and output connections
`58, 60 may alternatively include protrusions which pass
`through apertures of the other of the input and output connec
`tions 58, 60. Additional protrusions and corresponding inden
`tations formating the input and output connections 58, 60 and
`imparting rotation from one to the other are also includable in
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`the input and output connections 58, 60. In an exemplary
`embodiment, the input connection 58 is also removable from
`the output connection 60 so as to impart modularity to the
`pump system 10. Rotation of a crankshaft 48 within a pump
`assembly 32 rotates the output shaft 52 and the output con
`nection 60, which in turn rotates the input connection 58,
`which rotates the input flange 50 and the crankshaft 48 of an
`adjacent pump assembly 32.
`0023 The pump system 10 includes at least a first set 70 of
`two pump assemblies 32 linked end to end. The illustrated
`embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3 include a first set 70 of
`pump assemblies 32 and a second set 72 of pump assemblies
`32. Each set 70, 72 of pump assemblies 32 includes a single
`lead pump assembly 30 that is attached to a respective output
`shaft 28 of the gear box 26. That is, the first set 70 of pump
`assemblies 32 includes a first lead pump assembly 30
`attached to a first output shaft 28 of the gear box 26, and the
`second set 72 of pump assemblies 32 includes a second lead
`pump assembly 30 attached to a second output shaft 28 of the
`gearbox 26. Extending from the first lead pump assembly 30
`in the first set 70 is an output shaft 52 engageable with an input
`flange 50 of a second pump assembly 32 in the first set 70 of
`pump assemblies 32. Likewise, the second pump assembly 32
`is connected to a third pump assembly 32 in the first set 70 of
`pump assemblies 32, and the second set 72 of pump assem
`blies 32 includes a second pump assembly 32 and a third
`pump assembly 32 directly and indirectly connected, respec
`tively, to the second lead pump assembly 30. Thus, in the
`illustrated embodiment of the pump system 10, six pump
`assemblies 32 are connected to a single prime mover 22 and
`the output of the ultra high HP prime mover 22 can be divided
`between the pump assemblies 32 within the pump system 10.
`For example, if a prime mover 22 has a horsepower rating of
`18,000 HP, then six pump assemblies 32 with a horsepower
`rating of 3,000 HP could be arranged within the pump system
`10. The only restriction to providing the multiple pump
`assemblies 32 within the pump system 10 would be the
`weight limitations of each flatbed 18 or trailer bed 14 in the
`portable system 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3. For example, if the
`flatbed 18 or trailer bed 14 was rated for 80,000 pounds and
`each pump assembly weighed 20,000 pounds then only four
`pump assemblies 32 could be placed on a single flatbed 18 or
`trailer bed 14. This issue can be remedied by employing
`additional linked flatbeds 18 or trailer beds 14, and providing
`linking rods 62 as necessary between the input connection 58
`and output connection 60 of adjacent pump assemblies 32
`provided on adjacent platforms 12.
`0024. While the pump assemblies 32 of the pump system
`10 have been described to include a power assembly 34
`attached to a single fluid assembly 36, an alternative embodi
`ment of a pump assembly 232 may include a power assembly
`234 operatively connected to first and second fluid assemblies
`236, as shown in FIG. 6. The ability to include a second fluid
`assembly to a power assembly is described in U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 13/687,558 filed on Nov. 28, 2012
`entitled “RECIPROCATING PUMP ASSEMBLY AND
`METHOD THEREOF, and is herein incorporated by refer
`ence in its entirety. With reference to FIG. 6, the first and
`second fluid assemblies 236 each include an input valve con
`nected to an inlet 242 and an output valve connected to an
`outlet 244. As with the pump assembly 32, the prime mover
`22 is employed to rotate the crankshaft within the crankshaft
`housing 238 of the pump assembly 232 either directly or via
`a pinion shaft. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of
`
`first and second fluid assemblies 236 each operated by a
`separate crankshaft 48 that are commonly rotated by a pinion
`shaft 275. The pinion shaft 275 includes at least one pinion
`gear (not shown) which engages with at least one bull gear
`(not shown) on each of the first and second crankshafts 48.
`The pinion shaft 275 is rotated by the prime mover 22 to
`operate the crankshafts 48. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary
`embodiment for first and second fluid assemblies 236 to be
`rotated by a common crankshaft 48 that is rotated by the
`prime mover 22. It is noted that while only the crosshead
`assemblies 40 are shown, the fluid assemblies 236 may be the
`same as in the previous embodiments. Also as in the previous
`embodiments, with reference again to FIG. 6, the pump
`assembly 232 includes an input connection 258 and an output
`connection 260 that enable adjacent pump assemblies 232 or
`32 to be directly inter-connected via the connections 258, 260
`or by an additional linking rod 62 as previously described. By
`adding a second fluid assembly 236 to a power assembly 234
`of the pump assembly 232, the amount of horsepower that the
`pump assembly 232 can consume is doubled. The structural
`improvements to the power assembly 234 to accommodate
`the first and second fluid assemblies 236 provide a compact
`design that can assist in arranging multiple pump assemblies
`232 and/or 32 on a trailer bed 14 or flatbed 18 for transpor
`tation.
`0025. In addition to taking advantage of the output of a
`high horsepower prime mover 22, because each pump assem
`bly 32, 232 includes an input connection 58, 258 and an
`output connection 60, 260, a modular arrangement of the
`pump system 10 is enabled to include any number of pump
`assemblies 32, 232 thereon in a variety of configurations.
`0026. While the invention has been described with refer
`ence to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be
`understood by those skilled in the art that various changes
`may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements
`thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In
`addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a par
`ticular situation or material to the teachings of the invention
`without departing from the essential scope thereof Therefore,
`it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
`embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
`carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
`all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims. Also,
`in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed
`exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although spe
`cific terms may have been employed, they are unless other
`wise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and
`not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention
`therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms
`first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but
`rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one
`element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an,
`etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote
`the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
`What is claimed:
`1. A pump system comprising:
`a plurality of pump assemblies, each pump assembly hav
`ing a power assembly and a fluid assembly, each power
`assembly of each pump assembly including a crank
`shaft, an input connection, and an output connection, the
`input connection of one pump assembly among the plu
`rality of pump assemblies connected to the output con
`nection of one pump assembly among the plurality of
`pump assemblies;
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`at least one lead pump assembly within the plurality of
`pump assemblies configured to be connected to a prime
`mover commonly driving the plurality of pump assem
`blies.
`2. The pump system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
`pump assemblies includes a first set of pump assemblies and
`a second set of pump assemblies, each set of pump assemblies
`including a lead pump assembly configured to be connected
`to the prime mover.
`3. The pump system of claim 2 wherein fluid assemblies of
`the pump assemblies in the first set of pump assemblies are
`separated from fluid assemblies of the pumpassemblies in the
`second set of pump assemblies by the power assemblies of the
`pump assemblies in the first and second sets of pump assem
`blies.
`4. The pump system of claim 2, wherein the first set of
`pump assemblies is arranged on a first side of a platform, and
`the second set of pump assemblies is arranged on a second
`side of the platform opposite the first side.
`5. The pump system of claim 1 further comprising the
`prime mover, wherein a Sum of the horsepower rating of the
`plurality of pump assemblies is substantially equal to the
`horsepower rating of the prime mover.
`6. The pump system of claim 1 wherein the fluid assembly
`of one pump assembly among the plurality of pump assem
`blies includes a first fluid assembly and a second fluid assem
`bly, the power assembly of the one pump assembly interposed
`between the first and second fluid assemblies.
`7. The pump system of claim 1 wherein the plurality of
`pump assemblies are mounted on at least one movable plat
`form.
`8. The pump system of claim 7 wherein the at least one
`movable platform includes at least one of a trailerbed towable
`by a truck and a flatbed connected to a train.
`9. The pump system of claim 1 wherein at least a subset of
`adjacent pump assemblies among the plurality of pump
`assemblies are connected end-to-end relative to the crank
`shaft of each pump assembly.
`10. The pump system of claim 1 wherein the input connec
`tion of the one pump assembly among the plurality of pump
`assemblies is removably connected to the output connection
`of the one pump assembly among the plurality of pump
`assemblies.
`11. The pump system of claim 1, wherein each of the pump
`assemblies includes a housing, the input connections and the
`output connections extending exteriorly of the housing.
`
`12. The pump system of claim 1, wherein the input con
`nection and the output connection are respectively connected
`to an input shaft and an output shaft, and an axis of the input
`shaft and an axis of the output shaft extend substantially
`parallel to a rotation axis of the crankshaft within each pump
`assembly among the plurality of pump assemblies.
`13. The pump system of claim 1, wherein the input con
`nection includes an input plate and the output connection
`includes an output plate, the input plate and output plate
`arrangeable and configured to connect to each other in a
`face-to-face relationship.
`14. The pump system of claim 13, wherein at least one of
`the input and output plates includes at least one aperture, and
`further comprising at least one connector passing through the
`at least one aperture.
`15. The pump system of claim 1, further comprising a gear
`box including at least one output shaft connected to the input
`connection of the at least one lead pump assembly.
`16. A method of pumping pressurized fluid to a site, the
`method comprising:
`selecting a prime mover;
`selecting a number of pump assemblies, each pump assem
`bly having a power assembly and a fluid assembly, each
`power assembly including a crankshaft, an input con
`nection, and an output connection;
`arranging the pump assemblies on a Surface;
`connecting the input connection of each pump to an output
`connection of an adjacent upstream pump; and,
`connecting at least one lead pump to the prime mover to
`commonly drive the plurality of pumps.
`17. The method of claim 16, wherein the prime mover has
`a power rating and selecting a number of pump assemblies
`includes selecting a number of pump assemblies having a
`combined power rating Substantially equivalent to the power
`rating of the prime mover.
`18. The method of claim 16 wherein arranging the pump
`assemblies on a Surface includes arranging the pump assem
`blies on a movable platform.
`19. The method of claim 16 wherein selecting a number of
`pump assemblies includes selecting at least three pump
`assemblies.
`20. The method of claim 16 wherein arranging the pump
`assemblies includes arranging two sets of at least two pump
`assemblies, each set including one lead pump assembly con
`nected to the prime mover and at least one additional pump
`assembly.
`
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