Abstract: A method for transferring proppant that has been delivered to a worksite by a transport vehicle to a blender includes creating a pile of the proppant, using an unloader and/or a stacker, at a proppant inlet of a self-feeding conveyor and transferring the proppant, using the self-feeding conveyor without operator interaction and a metering conveyor, from the pile to the blender. The method further includes controlling a mass rate, using the metering conveyor, to vary at least one of a speed of the self-feeding conveyor, a speed of the metering conveyor, or a variable opening onto the self-feeding conveyor and/or the metering conveyor; and supplying the proppant, using the metering conveyor, to the blender at a selected rate.

Abstract: A method to control hydraulic fracturing operations comprises transporting material to a blender, via a proppant transportation system, during the hydraulic fracturing operations, wherein the material includes proppant. The method comprises obtaining, via one or more sensors, media content of the material as the material is transported to the blender. The method comprises determining, via a learning machine, one or more material characteristics based on the media content.

Abstract: A bulk material dispensing system comprising a portable support structure with portable containers with wet bulk material. Locating each portable container onto the portable support structure couples a transfer member on each portable container to a vibration device on the support structure. Vibration energy is transferred from vibration device to the portable container via the transfer member. The material dispensing system is configured to route the wet bulk material from the portable container to a blender hopper via a material routing path in response to activating the vibration device.

Abstract: A bulk material container can include a body, having a plurality of side walls, a bottom, a cavity, and an opening, and a first engagement element. The plurality of side walls are coupled to the bottom, and the cavity, which is configured to receive a bulk material, is formed within the plurality of side walls and above the bottom. The opening is formed by the plurality of side walls spatially opposite of the bottom and is configured to discharge the bulk material when the container is at least partially inverted. The first engagement element can be configured to receive one or more prongs of a transportation device or a bulk material unloading device. In some embodiments, the container may also include a second engagement element and/or a third engagement element, for example with the first, second, and/or third engagement elements differing from each other.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a bulk material unloading system and method. The system includes a bulk material container containing a bulk material and an unloading device. The unloading device is configured to engage the bulk material container and at least partially invert the bulk material container. The method includes engaging a bulk material container containing a bulk material with an unloading device and emptying the bulk material container. Emptying the bulk material into the hopper includes lifting the bulk material container using the unloading device and rotating the bulk material container using the unloading device.

Abstract: A bulk material dispensing system comprising a portable support structure with portable containers with wet bulk material. Locating each portable container onto the portable support structure couples a transfer member on each portable container to a vibration device on the support structure. Vibration energy is transferred from vibration device to the portable container via the transfer member. The material dispensing system is configured to route the wet bulk material from the portable container to a blender hopper via a material routing path in response to activating the vibration device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a bulk material container including a body and one or more first engagement elements. The body includes a plurality of side walls, a bottom, a cavity, and an opening. The plurality of side walls are coupled to the bottom, and the cavity, which is configured to receive a bulk material, is formed within the plurality of side walls and above the bottom. The opening is formed by the plurality of side walls spatially opposite of the bottom and is configured to discharge the bulk material when the bulk material container is at least partially inverted. The one or more first engagement elements are coupled to the bottom of the body, and the one or more first engagement elements are configured to receive one or more prongs of a transportation device or a bulk material unloading device.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a bulk material unloading system and method. The system includes a bulk material container containing a bulk material and an unloading device. The unloading device is configured to engage the bulk material container and at least partially invert the bulk material container. The method includes engaging a bulk material container containing a bulk material with an unloading device and emptying the bulk material container. Emptying the bulk material into the hopper includes lifting the bulk material container using the unloading device and rotating the bulk material container using the unloading device.

Abstract: A method of conducting fracturing operations at multiple wellsites in a field. The method may include manufacturing a first fracturing fluid concentrate at a fluid manufacturing plant located at a sand mine of the field using sand produced from the sand mine. The method may also include pumping the first fracturing fluid concentrate from the fluid manufacturing plant to a first well and a second well of the multiple wellsites. The method may further include injecting the first fracturing fluid concentrate into a first well at the first wellsite.

Abstract: A method of conducting fracturing operations at multiple wellsites in a field. The method may include manufacturing a first fracturing fluid concentrate at a fluid manufacturing plant located at a sand mine of the field using sand produced from the sand mine. The method may also include pumping the first fracturing fluid concentrate from the fluid manufacturing plant to a first well and a second well of the multiple wellsites. The method may further include injecting the first fracturing fluid concentrate into a first well at the first wellsite.

Abstract: A valve of a first container is opened to remove fluid into a second container, where the output of the first container is above a maximum fluid level of the second container. The valve of the first container is closed based on a sensor indicating that a fluid level in the first container is at a first fluid level. A pump pumps the fluid from the second container to the first container via a flow meter. An indication is received that causes the pump to stop pumping based on the indication. An amount of fluid pumped into the first container is determined based on the first fluid level and a second fluid level indicated by the sensor. An indication of total fluid volume measured by the flow meter is compared to the amount of fluid pumped. An indication of accuracy of the flow meter is output based on the comparison.

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: A valve of a first container is opened to remove fluid from the first container into a second container, where the output of the first container is arranged to be above a maximum fluid level of the second container. The valve of the first container is closed based on a fluid sensor indicating that a fluid level in the first container is at a first fluid level. A pump is caused to pump the fluid from the second container to the first container via a flow meter. An indication is received after pumping the fluid which causes the pump to stop pumping the fluid from the second container to the first container based on the indication. An amount of fluid pumped into the first container is determined based on the first fluid level and a second fluid level indicated by the fluid sensor. An indication of total fluid volume measured by the flow meter is compared to the amount of fluid pumped. An indication of accuracy of the flow meter is output based on the comparison.