Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material and dry additives to be mixed with bulk material in a blender are provided. The disclosed systems include a modular portable container that can be used to hold multiple types of dry flowable material for transportation about a work site. The different types of dry materials can be selectively released from the modular container for mixing with liquid and bulk material in a blender. The modular container generally includes a base structure that supports a number of individual, separable, and fully enclosed compartments. The compartments may each hold a different type of dry material, and the compartments may be arranged onto the base structure adjacent one another and removably secured to the base structure so that the compartments can be transported as a single unit about the work site.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a discharge actuation apparatus that is configured to not only fully open and close a sliding gate of a bulk material container, but also move the gate pin to a neutral position with respect to a keeper slot of the bulk container and a receiver slot of the discharge actuation apparatus to ensure proper alignment of the receiver slot and the keeper slot with the gate pin of the bulk container to reduce the likelihood of damage to the receiver or the bulk container during the container's replacement on to the receiver.

Abstract: Cylinder pump systems and methods for pumping and measuring fluids are provided. The pump system includes a piston cylinder pump, a linear actuator, and a motor assembly. The piston cylinder pump includes a piston located within a cavity of a cylinder body and dividing the cavity into a first adjustable chamber and a second adjustable chamber and a rod coupled to the piston. The linear actuator includes a shaft coupled to the rod and the linear actuator converts rotational motion to linear motion to linearly move the rod. The motor assembly is coupled to the linear actuator and operable to drive the linear actuator.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a collapsible and optionally stackable storage container for bulk material is provided. The disclosed storage container includes a collapsible frame defined by a rigid upper support structure, a rigid lower support structure and a support member coupled at one end to the upper support structure and coupled at another end to the lower support structure. An actuator is also provided which is coupled to the support member at one end. The disclosed storage container further includes a storage sack having an upper portion coupled to the upper support structure and a lower portion coupled to the lower support structure. The lower portion of the storage sack is generally taper-shaped and may be equipped with a discharge opening that enables release of the bulk material onto a conveyor, which may be employed when the collapsible storage container is integrated into a bulk storage system.

Abstract: A material storage unit including a bin having a bottom end, a top end, and a sidewall extending therebetween and defining an interior configured to hold particulates, where a portion of the sidewall defines an angular air flow vent having a top air inlet and a bottom air inlet. The material storage unit further includes a fill line inlet extending through one or both of the bottom end of the bin or the sidewall of the bin and in fluid communication with the interior, a venting outlet extending through one or both of the top end of the bin or the sidewall of the bin and in fluid communication with the interior, and a discharge outlet extending through the bottom end of the bin and in fluid communication with the interior.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for using containers of bulk material along with a bucket conveyor system, instead of a pneumatic transfer process, to move the bulk material from a transportation unit to a storage/delivery system are provided. A transportation unit may deliver one or more containers full of bulk material toward a fill hopper of the bucket conveyor system. The containers may be positioned proximate the fill hopper to release the bulk material directly into the fill hopper. The bucket conveyor may deliver the bulk material from the fill hopper into the storage/delivery system. Since the containers are maneuverable into a position to output bulk material directly into the fill hopper and without pneumatic transfer, the bucket conveyor system may enable a cleaner and more efficient bulk material transfer at the site.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently handling dry additives to be mixed with bulk material in a blender are provided. The systems may include a support structure used to direct bulk material from one or more portable containers on the support structure to a first outlet location, and a combined metering/transferring system for directing dry additives from another portable container to a second outlet location. Specifically, the metering/transferring system may output a metered flow of dry additives to the blender mixer to be combined with bulk material that is released from the portable containers. The metering/transferring system may utilize a gravity feed outlet coupled to a metered screw or other conveying device to move the dry additive from the portable container to the second outlet location.

Abstract: A system and method for hydrating a hydratable material are provided in which a first hydration fluid is heated prior to mixing with the hydratable material to produce a hydration mixture. The hydration mixture is subsequently mixed with a second hydration fluid to produce a well injection fluid having a hydrated hydratable material. Generally, the first hydration fluid will be at about ambient temperature before it is heated and the second hydration fluid will be at about at about ambient temperature when it is mixed with the hydration mixture. Typically, the first hydration fluid will be a minor part of the hydration fluid content of the well injection fluid and the second hydration fluid will be a major part of the hydration fluid content of the well injection fluid.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for mixing proppant and other solids with one or more fracturing fluids to form a fracturing slurry, and for delivering the fracturing slurry to a wellbore. In the example systems as described herein, the proppant is mixed with the fracturing fluids through an assembly that limits the number of pumps that are required to move the relatively abrasive proppant]containing fluids. Additionally, in the example systems, the proppant is mixed within enclosed structures, thereby minimizing the escape of dust and other particulates into the surrounding atmosphere and onto the equipment at the well site.

Abstract: An example fluid management system for generating a fluid for a treatment operation may include a mixer and a first portable container disposed proximate to and elevated above the mixer. The first portable container may hold dry chemical additives. A feeder may be positioned below the first portable container to direct dry chemical additives from the first portable container to the mixer. The system may also include a first pump to provide fluid to the mixer from a fluid source.

Abstract: An example system includes a blender unit for producing a treatment fluid, the blender unit being configured to hold at least one portable bulk material container thereon. The system further includes a first device responsible for loading portable bulk material containers onto the blender unit, and a second device responsible for unloading portable bulk material containers from the blender unit.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a stackable bulk material storage container is provided. The bulk material storage container includes a frame having a top portion and a bottom portion, which is supported by a plurality of rigid bars. A semi-rigid containment structure is further provided, which is supported by the frame. The semi-rigid containment structure may be formed of a plurality of interconnected or attached panels of thin steel sheets, carbon graphite or fiber reinforced plastic. Alternatively, the semi-rigid containment structure may be integrally formed of a roto-molded plastic material. The frame optionally has an opening at the top, which is sized to allow for easy removal and replacement of the semi-rigid containment structure.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a stackable bulk material storage container is provided. The bulk material storage container includes a panel-less frame having a top portion and a bottom portion, which is supported by cross bracing. A hatch is coupled to the top portion of the frame. The hatched is opened when loading the bulk material into the container and closed during transport. A gravity feed outlet is coupled to the bottom portion of the frame. The outlet is opened to dispense the bulk material out of the container and closed during transport. A containment structure is further provided, which has a greater storage capacity over conventional containers. The containment structure is defined by an upper portion formed of a soft material and a bottom portion formed of a rigid material. The containment structure is attached to the frame at least at the hatch and the gravity feed outlet.

Abstract: Methods including providing a fluid flow path allowing the passage of a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid therethrough. Introducing an exothermic reactant into the fluid flow path to react with the aqueous base fluid and heat the treatment fluid. Introducing a gelling polymer into the fluid flow path and hydrating the gelling polymer. Introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for sequencing portable containers of bulk material to provide continuous bulk material usage at an outlet are provided. The disclosed sequencing techniques may involve identifying a sequence for opening different portable containers of bulk material (or identifying the “next” portable container to open) and automatically actuating the discharge gates of the portable containers in the desired sequence to provide a continuous flow of bulk material to the outlet (e.g., blender unit). The identified sequence may be executed through a control system communicatively coupled to actuators used to open/close the discharge gates of the portable bulk material containers. A GUI may be communicatively coupled to the control system to allow an operator to select the desired sequence for execution by the control system and to display information regarding the portable bulk material containers.

Abstract: A system and method for hydrating a hydratable material are provided in which a first hydration fluid is heated prior to mixing with the hydratable material to produce a hydration mixture. The hydration mixture is subsequently mixed with a second hydration fluid to produce a well injection fluid having a hydrated hydratable material. Generally, the first hydration fluid will be at about ambient temperature before it is heated and the second hydration fluid will be at about at about ambient temperature when it is mixed with the hydration mixture. Typically, the first hydration fluid will be a minor part of the hydration fluid content of the well injection fluid and the second hydration fluid will be a major part of the hydration fluid content of the well injection fluid.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, a collapsible and optionally stackable storage container for bulk material is provided. The disclosed storage container includes a collapsible frame defined by a rigid upper support structure, a rigid lower support structure and a support member coupled at one end to the upper support structure and coupled at another end to the lower support structure. An actuator is also provided which is coupled to the support member at one end. The disclosed storage container further includes a storage sack having an upper portion coupled to the upper support structure and a lower portion coupled to the lower support structure. The lower portion of the storage sack is generally taper-shaped and may be equipped with a discharge opening that enables release of the bulk material onto a conveyor, which may be employed when the collapsible storage container is integrated into a bulk storage system.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for managing dry bulk material efficiently at a well site or other location are provided. Present embodiments are directed to a rotary clamshell gate actuation system and method, where the gate is separate from the one or more actuators used to open/close the gate. The disclosed system may include a portable bulk material container with a clamshell gate for easily dispensing material from the container. The system also includes a support structure equipped with one or more rotary actuators used to actuate the clamshell gate of the container between a closed and open position when the container is positioned on the support structure. The disclosed clamshell gate actuation system is easy to operate, low cost to manufacture, and reliable even when the portable container is not precisely aligned on the support structure.