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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: A proppant tower comprising: a main body configured to be in a substantially vertical orientation in a working position; a base mounted on a bottom end of the main body, such that the main body rests on the base when in the working position; a bin disposed within the main body; and an outlet having two ends, the first end radially extending from the main body below the bin and in fluid communication with the bin and the second end being open, such that particulates are discharged from the bin into the first end of the outlet and out of the second end of the outlet, wherein the outlet radially extends from the main body at a location on the main body that permits at least four proppant towers to be arranged about a single particulate collection device.

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.

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 of a blender are provided. A transportation unit may deliver one or more containers of bulk material to the well site, where one or more conveyors may deliver the containers to a location proximate the blender receptacle. A chute may extend from the bottom of each container to route bulk material from the one or more containers directly into 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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.