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: Systems and methods for using one or more pre-filled, portable containers, instead of pneumatic transfer, to move bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender receptacle of a blender are provided. A transportation unit may deliver one or more containers of bulk material to the well site, where the containers may be disposed in an elevated position around the blender receptacle. A gravity feed outlet may extend from one or more containers to route bulk material from the one or more containers directly into the blender receptacle. Since the transportation unit is able to unload the portable containers of bulk material without pneumatic transfer, the stackable containers may enable a cleaner and more efficient bulk material transfer at the site.

Abstract: A self-funneling flexible container may be used with a storage and transportation system to provide an efficient, effective and cost-efficient transfer of material to, from or about a site, for example, a hydrocarbon exploration, recovery, production or operation site. The self-funneling flexible container may comprise one or more bands about the bottom or the bottom and one or more sides of the self-funneling flexible container. The bands have an elasticity such that the weight of material disposed in the self-funneling flexible container transitions the bands to an expanded position. When the material is discharged, the bands transition to a contracted position to form a funnel or chute so that all material may be efficiently discharged. As the funnel or chute is only formed at discharge, the self-funneling flexible container may store more material than traditional rigid containers.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for using one or more pre-filled, portable containers, instead of pneumatic transfer, to move bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender receptacle of a blender are provided. A transportation unit may deliver one or more containers of bulk material to the well site, where the containers may be disposed in an elevated position around the blender receptacle. A gravity feed outlet may extend from one or more containers to route bulk material from the one or more containers directly into the blender receptacle. Since the transportation unit is able to unload the portable containers of bulk material without pneumatic transfer, the stackable containers 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: 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 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: Systems and methods for managing bulk material efficiently at a well site are provided. The disclosure is directed to a container support frame that is integrated into a blender unit. The support frame is used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material, and the blender unit may include a gravity feed outlet for outputting bulk material from the containers directly into a mixer of the blender unit. The blender unit with integrated support frame may eliminate the need for any subsequent mechanical conveyance of the bulk material (e.g., via a separate mechanical conveying system or on-blender sand screws) from the containers to the mixer. As such, the integrated blender unit may be lighter weight, take up less space, and have a lower cost and complexity than existing blenders.

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.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for using containers, instead of pneumatic transfer, to move bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender receptacle (e.g., hopper or mixer of a blender) are provided. A transportation unit may deliver multiple containers of bulk material to the well site, where multiple conveyors may deliver the containers to a location proximate the blender receptacle. Openings at the bottom of the containers are arranged adjacent one another so that the load of two containers may be delivered to the tight space occupied by the blender receptacle. Since the transportation unit is able to unload the containers of bulk material without pneumatic transfer, the containers may enable a cleaner and more efficient bulk material transfer at the site.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for managing bulk material efficiently at a well site are provided. The disclosure is directed to a container support frame that is integrated into a blender unit. The support frame is used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material, and the blender unit may include a gravity feed outlet for outputting bulk material from the containers directly into a mixer of the blender unit. The blender unit with integrated support frame may eliminate the need for any subsequent mechanical conveyance of the bulk material (e.g., via a separate mechanical conveying system or on-blender sand screws) from the containers to the mixer. As such, the integrated blender unit may be lighter weight, take up less space, and have a lower cost and complexity than existing blenders.

Abstract: In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: This present application relates generally to conveyor system apparatuses and methods. The conveyor system disclosed herein provides a supply conveyor and a return conveyor in material flow communication. The supply conveyor transfers and releases a portion of material to a second source. The return conveyor re-circulates to the supply conveyor any portion of material unreleased such that the supply conveyor may re-transfer and release the unreleased portion of material to the second source.

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, 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: 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 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: Methods and systems for integral storage and blending of the materials used in oilfield operations are disclosed. A modular integrated material blending and storage system includes a first module comprising a storage unit, a second module comprising a liquid additive storage unit and a pump for maintaining pressure at an outlet of the liquid additive storage unit. The system further includes a third module comprising a pre-gel blender. An output of each of the first module, the second module and the third module is located above a blender and gravity directs the contents of the first module, the second module and the third module to the blender. The system also includes a pump that directs the output of the blender to a desired down hole location. The pump may be powered by natural gas or electricity.