Abstract: A system includes a pump configured to transfer a granular material out of a hopper into a transfer pipe. The pump includes an upstream portion having an upstream helical flight and a downstream portion having a downstream helical flight. The downstream portion includes a tailpiece. An outer diameter of the downstream helical flight is less than an outer diameter of the upstream helical flight, a gap between the outer diameter of the downstream helical flight and an auger housing is greater than a gap between the outer diameter of the upstream helical flight and the auger housing, a thickness of the downstream helical flight is less than a thickness of the upstream helical flight, a surface of the downstream portion has a lesser coefficient of friction than a surface of the upstream portion, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A storage container for storing quantities of acids and other volatile liquids is described having a recirculation system that can include a recirculation pump and a recirculation line that goes from a bottom end of the container toward a top end of the container, where the recirculation line has a plurality of pressure relief valves spaced along its length. The storage container may also include a leak detection system and a high level warning system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a blending system that delivers granular material directly from designated storage containers into a blender based on the liquid flow rate into the blender and the blender slurry flow rate exiting the blender. The blending system utilizes a blender controller system in communication with a blender slurry flow meter, a blender liquid flow meter, a conveyor load cell, a conveyor motor, and a conveyor speed sensor, wherein the blender control system is configured to regulate the amount of granular material entering the hopper based on the entrance rate of liquid into the blender and the exit rate of the fracturing fluid slurry from the blender.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for controlling the flow rate of materials into and out of the blender. The system includes the control and management of an on-site storage system for each component of a mixture, regulating the delivery rate of a blend mixture into a blender hopper, regulating the exit rate of the blended mixture from the blender hopper, and coordinating the flow of materials into and out of the blender.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include systems for storing large quantities of chemicals at a remote site. A controlled blending system balances the inflow of dry material and liquids into the blender based on a predetermined solid/fluid ratio. The blending system further balances the inflow and outflow of material from the blender.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for controlling the flow rate of materials into and out of the blender. The system includes the control and management of an on-site storage system for each component of a mixture, regulating the delivery rate of a blend mixture into a blender hopper, regulating the exit rate of the blended mixture from the blender hopper, and coordinating the flow of materials into and out of the blender.

Abstract: An accumulator assembly for a pump system at a well site is arranged to fluidically connect to a flow line between a blender and a fracturing pump of the pump system. The accumulator assembly includes a pressurizable tank configured to contain pressurized fluid; and, a control valve fluidically connected between a discharge end of the tank and the flow line. The control valve opens and fluidically connects the tank to the flow line when a pressure on the flow line is less than a target pressure, and the control valve closes and fluidically blocks communication between the tank and the flow line when the pressure on the flow line is greater than or substantially same as the target pressure.

Abstract: A dilution system for a hydraulic fracturing fluid includes a dilution manifold, a hydration unit configured to provide a source of liquid, a diluent line connecting the hydration unit to the dilution manifold, a diluent flow control valve on the diluent line, a hydration tank configured to hydrate a mixed additive, a gravity-driven viscous fluid line connecting an exit of the hydration tank to the dilution manifold, a viscous fluid flow meter on the viscous fluid line, and a viscous fluid control valve on the viscous fluid line.

Abstract: An accumulator assembly for a pump system at a well site is arranged to fluidically connect to a flow line between a blender and a fracturing pump of the pump system. The accumulator assembly includes a pressurizable tank configured to contain pressurized fluid; and, a control valve fluidically connected between a discharge end of the tank and the flow line. The control valve opens and fluidically connects the tank to the flow line when a pressure on the flow line is less than a target pressure, and the control valve closes and fluidically blocks communication between the tank and the flow line when the pressure on the flow line is greater than or substantially same as the target pressure.

Abstract: System (10) for containing airborne dust created during the transfer of material between components of a material delivery system (18) includes at least one airflow duct (70) fluidly coupled to at least one central vacuum unit (14) and configured to direct at least some of the contained airborne dust to the central vacuum unit.

Abstract: A dilution system for a hydraulic fracturing fluid includes a dilution manifold, a hydration unit configured to provide a source of liquid, a diluent line connecting the hydration unit to the dilution manifold, a diluent flow control valve on the diluent line, a hydration tank configured to hydrate a mixed additive, a gravity-driven viscous fluid line connecting an exit of the hydration tank to the dilution manifold, a viscous fluid flow meter on the viscous fluid line, and a viscous fluid control valve on the viscous fluid line.

Abstract: A dilution system for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the dilution system including a dilution manifold; a hydration unit configured to provide a source of liquid; a diluent line connecting the hydration unit to the dilution manifold. A diluent flow control valve on the diluent line. A hydration tank configured to hydrate a mixed additive. A gravity-driven viscous fluid line connecting an exit of the hydration tank to the dilution manifold. A viscous fluid flow meter on the viscous fluid line; and, a viscous fluid control valve on the viscous fluid line. Also included is a method of processing a fracturing fluid.

Abstract: A hydration system configured to selectively enable a continuous process or a batch process of an additive for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the hydration system including a hydration tank having a plurality of compartments, wherein the hydration tank is configured to enable movement of a material through the plurality of compartments in the continuous process. The hydration tank is configured to substantially restrict movement of the material between the plurality of compartments in the batch process. Also included is a method of selectively hydrating an additive in a batch process or a continuous process using a hydration system configured to enable both the batch process and the continuous process.

Abstract: A hydration system configured to selectively enable a continuous process or a batch process of an additive for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the hydration system including a hydration tank having a plurality of compartments, wherein the hydration tank is configured to enable movement of a material through the plurality of compartments in the continuous process. The hydration tank is configured to substantially restrict movement of the material between the plurality of compartments in the batch process.

Abstract: A dilution system for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the dilution system including a dilution manifold; a hydration unit configured to provide a source of liquid; a diluent line connecting the hydration unit to the dilution manifold. A diluent flow control valve on the diluent line. A hydration tank configured to hydrate a mixed additive. A gravity-driven viscous fluid line connecting an exit of the hydration tank to the dilution manifold. A viscous fluid flow meter on the viscous fluid line; and, a viscous fluid control valve on the viscous fluid line. Also included is a method of processing a fracturing fluid.