Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for producing a well-fracturing gel using a gel concentrate such that the method and system are capable of timely adjusting the properties of the gel on the fly just prior to introducing the gel into the well. Further, the present disclosure provides for producing a gel with an overall shorter production time as well as adjusting the properties of the gel just prior to injecting the gel into the well.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for accurately metering and conveying a dry powder or granular material to a blender in a substantially closed system. The apparatus includes a storage tank adapted to hold the dry powder or granular material, a hopper disposed inside of the storage tank; and a conveyor at least partially disposed inside of the storage tank, which delivers the dry powder or granular material to the hopper. The apparatus also includes a metering feeder adapted to deliver the dry powder or granular material at a substantially uniform density from the hopper to a blender located outside of the storage tank. The apparatus is a substantially closed system, thus minimizing the risk that the dry powder or granular material will become airborne.

Abstract: A mobile paving system (10) is provided that produces paving material while the mobile system (10) proceeds over a surface. The mobile paving system (10) includes an aggregate hopper (12) operable to hold aggregate for use in producing paving material and a mixer (24) operable to mix aggregate with remaining ingredients to produce paving material. A moisture sensor (47) is associated with the aggregate. The moisture sensor (47) is operable to measure moisture in the aggregate and to provide an output representing an amount of moisture measured. A processor (34) is operable to receive an input representing the amount of moisture measured. The processor (34) is further operable to determine a dry weight of aggregate by converting from to dry weight volume used to produce paving material using bulking effect data for the aggregate corresponding to the amount of moisture measured.

Abstract: A continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises flowing at least three separate streams of different essential materials directly into a predetermined mixing unit at the oil or gas well, wherein each of the essential materials is required to obtain a predetermined defining characteristic of the slurry.

Abstract: A continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises flowing at least three separate streams of different essential materials directly into a predetermined mixing unit at the oil or gas well, wherein each of the essential materials is required to obtain a predetermined defining characteristic of the slurry.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuous multi-component slurrying process at an oil or gas well comprises continuously flowing substances for creating a slurry in response to a slurry flow rate factor and continuously flowing another substance for the slurry in response to a flow rate of at least a predetermined one of the other substances or the slurry itself. The method can include density control, slurry (tub) level control, and a combination of such controls. The method can operate in either closed loop or open loop manner, and control can be effected with either of two types of control signals depending on whether the controlled device is an integrating or non-integrating type. The method can also provide for bumpless transition between manual and automatic control.

Abstract: A non-corrosive, non-metallic hatch apparatus is provided for use on a container having a container opening with a container flange surrounding the container opening. A hatch base includes a base flange complementary to and constructed to be bolted to the container flange. The hatch base has a hatch opening defined therethrough and includes a base thread surrounding the hatch opening. A non-metallic hatch lid includes a lid thread defined thereon which is complementary to the base thread so that the hatch lid can be attached to the hatch base to close the hatch opening by threaded engagement of the lid thread with the base thread.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a load support device for engaging and supporting a load as the load support device and the load are moved between a lowered position and a raised position relative to a base. A pair of spaced lifting arms are connected at first pivotal connections to the base and at second pivotal connections to the load support device for moving the load support device between its lowered and raised positions. A stabilizer arm is connected at a third pivotal connection to the load support device, and at a fourth pivotal connection to the bases, for controlling a rotational orientation of the load support device about an axis of the second pivotal connection relative to the base. A sprocket is rigidly attached to each of the lifting arms substantially coaxial with the first pivotal connection, and a chain is operably engaged with each sprocket.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixer apparatus includes a base and a generally downwardly tapered movable mixing tub supported from the base in a manner such that the tub is movable between first and second positions relative to the base. A leveling valve is provided for controlling a level of fluid in the movable mixing tub. A connector linkage operably associated with the tub and the leveling valve is connected therebetween for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the mixing tub relative to the base. The tub preferably has a generally oval shaped upper end and a generally circular shaped lower end and is constantly tapered therebetween. A tub orientation control linkage is provided to prevent tilting of the tub as it moves between its upper and lower positions.

Abstract: A lifting apparatus includes a load support device for engaging and supporting a load as the load support device and the load are moved between a lowered position and a raised position relative to a base. A pair of spaced lifting arms are connected at first pivotal connections to the base and at second pivotal connections to the load support device for moving the load support device between its lowered and raised positions. A stabilizer arm is connected at a third pivotal connection to the load support device, and at a fourth pivotal connection to the base, for controlling a rotational orientation of the load support device about an axis of the second pivotal connection relative to the base. A sprocket is rigidly attached to each of the lifting arms substantially coaxial with the first pivotal connection, and a chain is operably engaged with each sprocket.

Abstract: A blender system includes a blender tub for blending a solid particulate material in a liquid. The tub has a tub outlet defined therein. The system also includes a pump having a pump suction inlet and a pump discharge. A suction conduit is provided for conducting a tub outlet stream from the tub outlet and a liquid supply stream from a liquid supply to the pump suction inlet. A solids concentrator device is provided for separating a pump discharge stream from the pump discharge into a lower density recirculating stream and a higher density concentrator discharge stream. The concentrator device has a concentrator inlet for receiving the pump discharge stream, a low density outlet for directing the recirculating stream back to the tub, and a high density outlet for discharging the concentrator discharge stream.

Abstract: A blender system includes a blender tub for blending a solid particulate material in a liquid. The tub has a tub outlet defined therein. The system also includes a pump having a pump suction inlet and a pump discharge. A suction conduit is provided for conducting a tub outlet stream from the tub outlet and a liquid supply stream from a liquid supply to the pump suction inlet. A solids concentrator device is provided for separating a pump discharge stream from the pump discharge into a lower density recirculating stream and a higher density concentrator discharge stream. The concentrator device has a concentrator inlet for receiving the pump discharge stream, a low density outlet for directing the recirculating stream back to the tub, and a high density outlet for discharging the concentrator discharge stream.

Abstract: A blender vehicle apparatus includes a vehicle having a vehicle frame. An internal combustion engine driven hydraulic power package is mounted on the vehicle frame. A plurality of liquid additive storage tanks are mounted on the frame adjacent the power package. An operator's work platform, including a control station, is mounted on the vehicle frame adjacent the storage tanks on a side thereof opposite the power package. A hydraulically powered blender assembly is also included, and a hydraulically powered lifting apparatus is mounted on the vehicle frame for moving the blender assembly between a lowered position and a raised position. The raised position of the blender assembly is located above the vehicle frame and adjacent the work platform on a side thereof opposite the storage tanks.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixing apparatus includes a transportable skid frame. A mixing tub is supported from the frame in a manner such that the tube is movable between first and second positions relative to the frame. The tube has a tub fluid outlet defined in a lower portion thereof. A suction conduit is supported from the skid frame for transport therewith and includes a manifold inlet, a manifold outlet, and a tub outlet conduit portion located upstream of the manifold outlet and connected to the tub fluid outlet. A leveling valve is also included and is disposed in the suction conduit upstream of the manifold outlet for controlling a level of fluid in the tub. A connector linkage operably connects the tube and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the tub relative to the skid frame.

Abstract: An integrated control system, specifically transportable on water between offshore wells, includes mixing and blending subsystems, a pumping subsystem, a proppant subsystem and a control subsystem for controlling the other subsystems in a unified manner from a common control location.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixer apparatus includes a base and a generally downwardly tapered movable mixing tub supported from the base in a manner such that the tub is movable between first and second positions relative to the base. A leveling valve is provided for controlling a level of fluid in the movable mixing tub. A connector linkage is operably associated with the mixing tub and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the mixing tube relative to the base. A rotating mechanical agitator is disposed within the tub for inducing a generally vortex type of fluid flow pattern within the generally downward tapered tub.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a movable mixing tub, a pumping source and a leveling valve interconnected to the mixing tub and the inlet or outlet of 10 the pumping source. The mixing system may include jet-type mixer to mix dry materials with fluid to be further mixed in the movable mixing tub.