Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: An unloader for a shipping container includes a supporter having a frame structure and a pallet base supported by the frame structure and configured to receive the pallet and support the shipping container in an elevated position. A gate moving mechanism is supported by the pallet base and configured to engage the moveable gate assembly when the full shipping container is positioned onto the pallet base. A material director has a first end located beneath the pallet base subjacent of the gate moving mechanism. The material director extends downwardly from the pallet base and terminates at a second end opposite the first end. Bulk material is dispensed from the shipping container into the first end and is discharged from the second end of the material director. Shipping containers may be positioned onto and removed from the pallet base without disassembly of the unloader.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container trailer includes a base structure, a container support assembly, and a gate moving assembly positioned between the base structure and a container loaded onto the trailer, to enable material in the container to be unloaded from the container through the gate moving assembly and the base structure.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container including a pallet, a compartment mounted on the pallet, a material unloading assembly, and a material loading assembly.

Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: A corrugated storage container is provided that includes a box section with a top wall and corrugated side walls and end walls, a tapered funnel section extending downwardly from the box section and a frame supporting the box section and the funnel section. The frame includes vertical posts that are integrally joined with the box section and a base section formed at the lower end of the vertical posts and supporting the funnel section. The configuration of the corrugated storage container provides approximately 600 cubic feet of enclosed interior volume capable of storing between 50,000 and 51,000 pounds of bulk material.

Abstract: A support apparatus includes a frame assembly with an elevated load surface for supporting a modular proppant container in a position above a ground level. A chute assembly is supported by the frame assembly beneath the elevated load surface. A gate actuator has a coupling configured to engage with a gate assembly of the modular proppant container supported on the elevated load surface and a drive mechanism extending between the frame assembly and the coupling to selectively position the coupling for adjusting the gate assembly. The support apparatus may include a base frame section having a recessed region beneath the elevated load surface providing a feed station, an on-board subsystem attached to the frame assembly for operating the support apparatus in a stand-alone mode or an in-situ weigh station configured to measure the weight of the modular proppant container supported on an elevated surface in the rectangular container bay.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container unloader having an expandable supporter, a pallet receiver supported by the extendable supporter, a material director supported by the pallet receiver, and a bulk material container gate mover supported by the pallet receiver.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for conveying proppant from a container to fracking operation equipment. The system includes a proppant delivery assembly having a frame supporting the container adjacent a proppant mover having a conveyor, a shroud enclosing a portion of the conveyor, a proppant chamber coupled to the shroud and a chute coupled to the proppant chamber. The system also includes a dust collection assembly fluidly coupled to the proppant mover to collect the dust particles contained therein. The dust collection assembly includes an air mover, a hood with a dust receptacle, and ductwork coupling the air mover to the dust receptacle. An air flow is generated along a flow path through the dust receptacle and the ductwork to the air mover such that a suction pressure generated by the air mover is sufficient to only capture and remove the dust particles, thus reducing a risk of capturing the proppant.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container including a pallet, a compartment configured to receive, hold, and release loose materials and connected to and supported by the pallet, a material unloading assembly positioned under a bottom portion of the compartment, configured to facilitate the release or unloading of loose materials from the compartment, and connected to and supported by the pallet, and a material loading assembly configured to facilitate the loading of loose materials into the compartment and connected to and partially supported by a top wall assembly of the compartment.