Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting the beginning of a flush volume. A blended fluid is output by a fluid blending apparatus and pumped into a wellbore. The blended fluid transitions from a first composition to a second composition. A blending signal comprising time-varying data relating to characteristics of the blending apparatus or measured from sensors associated with the blending apparatus is received. Based on a first portion of the blending signal corresponding to the first composition, a calibration profile is generated. Based on the calibration profile and a second portion of the blending signal corresponding to the second composition, a transition indicator corresponding to a change in the blended fluid from the first composition to the second composition is determined. Based on the transition indicator, a flush signal indicating the beginning of a flush volume being output by the blending apparatus and pumped into the wellbore is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a primer pump having a pneumatic power inlet, a fluid inlet coupled to receive a fluid from a fluid source and a fluid outlet to output the fluid in response to a pressure at the fluid outlet being less than a pressure at the pneumatic power inlet. The apparatus includes a liquid additive pump having a fluid inlet coupled to the fluid outlet of the primer pump to receive the fluid, wherein the primer pump is to apply a positive pressure at the fluid inlet of the liquid additive pump.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for detecting the beginning of a flush volume. A blended fluid is output by a fluid blending apparatus and pumped into a wellbore. The blended fluid transitions from a first composition to a second composition. A blending signal comprising time-varying data relating to characteristics of the blending apparatus or measured from sensors associated with the blending apparatus is received. Based on a first portion of the blending signal corresponding to the first composition, a calibration profile is generated. Based on the calibration profile and a second portion of the blending signal corresponding to the second composition, a transition indicator corresponding to a change in the blended fluid from the first composition to the second composition is determined. Based on the transition indicator, a flush signal indicating the beginning of a flush volume being output by the blending apparatus and pumped into the wellbore is generated.

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: Disclosed is a mobile platform on which equipment is mounted. A structural frame for a platform used to transport equipment may include a bottom rail configured to rest on the ground, a top rail vertically offset from the bottom rail, a plurality of pillars extending between the top and bottom rails, a forward support point, and an aft support point, wherein the structural frame is configured to support a downward force on the bottom rail when the structural frame is suspended between the forward and aft support points.

Abstract: Methods including placing particles that are substantially dry in a hopper; conveying the particles from the hopper via a conveyance to an open-air gap; adding a fluid to the particles in the hopper, the particles in the conveyance, or both, thereby reducing an amount of a dust produced at the open-air gap. The particles may be sand, silica, gravel, bauxite, ceramic materials, glass materials, polymer materials, polytetrafluoroethylene materials, nut shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising nut shell pieces, seed shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising seed shell pieces, fruit pit pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising fruit pit pieces, wood, composite particulates, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for reconfiguring a vertical storage silo used to store proppant (or other dry material) so that the storage silo may be used in a desired orientation at a worksite are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a vertical storage silo assembly used to selectively deliver material from one of two different outlet orientations. The silo assembly may offer two distinct orientations for an outlet chute relative to a transportation chassis used to transport and erect the vertical silo. The silo assembly may include a storage silo and a base for supporting the storage silo in a vertical orientation, the storage silo being removably coupled to the base. The storage silo may also be rotatable relative to the base to transition or reposition the outlet chute between a right-hand orientation and a left-hand orientation relative to the base.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for passively reducing or preventing dust formation in a particulate handling system are provided. In some embodiments, the handling system includes a silo for holding bulk material used to form a well fracturing treatment fluid. The silo may include a chute to deposit a portion of the bulk material from the silo into a blender and a cyclone mounted to the silo to separate dust from a pneumatic air flow and to release a substantially clean air into the atmosphere. In other embodiments, the handling system may include a horizontally oriented cyclone assembly mounted to a blender storage tank, cyclone assembly including a horizontally oriented cyclone separator to separate dust from a pneumatic airflow and a dust collection container to receive the dust and output the dust into the storage tank.

Abstract: A method and system for chemical transportation, storage, and dispensation, which provides a base with ISO mounts for enabling a ISO tank, van container, screw conveyor, or the like to be carried thereon. The base accommodates either or both of “roll off” or “hooklift hoist” technologies to allow easy loading and unloading. A first end of the base is carried by one or more rollers, and the underside is structured to allow rolling of the base on the bed or rack of the transport vehicle. After unloading the base with its ISO cargo, the transport vehicle leaves the well site and is free to retrieve another ISO tank or container as appropriate, thereby lowering the tractor-trailer capital requirements to support fracturing operations. Weigh scales allow the weight of the ISO container to be determined to allow the operator to monitor the inventory of chemicals as they are used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mobile platform on which equipment is mounted. A structural frame for a platform used to transport equipment may include a bottom rail configured to rest on the ground, a top rail vertically offset from the bottom rail, a plurality of pillars extending between the top and bottom rails, a forward support point, and an aft support point, wherein the structural frame is configured to support a downward force on the bottom rail when the structural frame is suspended between the forward and aft support points.

Abstract: Blending particulate and liquid to make slurry for use in oilfield operations is addressed. The blender has an upwardly facing particulate expeller with a flat base, raised hub, and generally radially extending, circumferentially spaced vanes extending upwardly from the base. The vanes extend from leading edges spaced about a vane inner diameter to tips spaced about a vane outer diameter. Adjacent expeller vanes define expeller passageways therebetween. The particulate expeller does not serve as a meaningful liquid impeller and the blender does not act significantly as a pump. The expeller has a several preferred diameter, clearance, height and length dimensions and ratios. Wide, deep expeller inlets and shallow, narrow outlets enhance particulate entry and minimize expeller torque. Vane extensions impart velocity to the particulate upon contact and minimize sensitivity to particulate entry velocity. Maximized circumferential overlap of adjacent vanes reduces liquid back-flow.

Abstract: Methods including placing particles that are substantially dry in a hopper; conveying the particles from the hopper via a conveyance to an open-air gap; adding a fluid to the particles in the hopper, the particles in the conveyance, or both, thereby reducing an amount of a dust produced at the open-air gap. The particles may be sand, silica, gravel, bauxite, ceramic materials, glass materials, polymer materials, polytetrafluoroethylene materials, nut shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising nut shell pieces, seed shell pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising seed shell pieces, fruit pit pieces, cured resinous particulates comprising fruit pit pieces, wood, composite particulates, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Blending particulate and liquid to make slurry for use in oilfield operations is addressed. The blender has an upwardly facing particulate expeller with a flat base, raised hub, and generally radially extending, circumferentially spaced vanes extending upwardly from the base. The vanes extend from leading edges spaced about a vane inner diameter to tips spaced about a vane outer diameter. Adjacent expeller vanes define expeller passageways therebetween. The particulate expeller does not serve as a meaningful liquid impeller and the blender does not act significantly as a pump. The expeller has a several preferred diameter, clearance, height and length dimensions and ratios. Wide, deep expeller inlets and shallow, narrow outlets enhance particulate entry and minimize expeller torque. Vane extensions impart velocity to the particulate upon contact and minimize sensitivity to particulate entry velocity. Maximized circumferential overlap of adjacent vanes reduces liquid back-flow.

Abstract: Pneumatic particulate material fill systems and methods are disclosed. A particulate material fill system includes a cyclone separator having an inlet adapted to receive pneumatically conveyed particulate material. The cyclone separator has a first outlet adapted to vent air and a second outlet adapted to discharge solids. The particulate material fill system includes a tank adapted to receive solids discharged from the cyclone separator via the second outlet. The tank is adapted for use at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Pneumatic particulate material fill systems and methods are disclosed. A particulate material fill system includes a cyclone separator having an inlet adapted to receive pneumatically conveyed particulate material. The cyclone separator has a first outlet adapted to vent air and a second outlet adapted to discharge solids. The particulate material fill system includes a tank adapted to receive solids discharged from the cyclone separator via the second outlet. The tank is adapted for use at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A portable well treating fluid mixing system includes: a supply tank having an inlet receiving pneumatically conveyed dry treating material; a cyclone separator having an inlet coupled to the supply tank and receiving dust laden air from the supply tank, and having a first outlet venting clean air and having a second outlet venting solids; a collection container having a first inlet coupled to the cyclone separator second outlet and receiving solids from the cyclone separator and having an outlet; and, a pump having an inlet coupled to the collection container outlet and a pump outlet coupled to the supply tank. In operation, the system continuously conveys dust from the collection container back into the supply tank to maintain the separator in proper operating condition and minimizes venting of dust during the transfer of material to the supply tank.

Abstract: A paving system having a strike-off assembly and method of manufacture is provided that distributes paving material onto a road surface. The strike-off assembly comprises a screed assembly comprised in a guide frame. The screed assembly comprises a flexible screed having a first and second surface secured in a screed track. The screed assembly may be disposed behind a mobile paving system to regulate the amount of paving material distributed onto the road surface and to ensure a generally even distribution of paving material across the road surface. After the surface of the flexible screed has become worn or damaged from use, the screed assembly may be removed and reversed such that the second surface is employed to regulate and distribute paving material onto the road surface.

Abstract: A composition of a hydrocarbon in water colloidal dispersion including hydrocarbon particles having a mean softening point exceeding 95° C., a water soluble dispersion agent and water, process and apparatus for the production thereof are disclosed. These dispersions have a median particle size below about 4.5 microns and 90% of the hydrocarbon particles have a size less than about 60 microns. These dispersions are storage stable, stable towards transportation, and can be pumped without destabilizing.

Abstract: A telescoping auger shaft is provided that distributes slurry material throughout a spreader box of variable width in a paving system. The telescoping auger shaft comprises a first shaft positioned coaxially with and engaging a second shaft such that the second shaft is operable to extend with respect to the first shaft while remaining engaged with the first shaft. The two shafts can form a combined shaft of variable length. The telescoping auger shaft further comprises two sections of auger flighting, one coupled to the first shaft and one coupled to the second shaft. The two sections of auger flighting are operable to distribute slurry material in a spreader box when the first shaft and the second shaft are rotated. The first shaft includes a guide portion. A guide element is coupled to second shaft and engages with the guide portion. When the second shaft is extended with respect to the first shaft, the guide element can cause the second shaft to rotate with respect to the first shaft.