Abstract: In some aspects, the present disclosure includes methods and systems for blending treatment fluids that include at least one of proppant or diverters for use in well treatment operations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise receiving a base fluid, mixing an additive to a portion of the base fluid to form at least a portion of the well treatment fluid; and supplying the portion of the well treatment fluid to at least one or both of a first discharge pump selectively fluidically coupled to a mixer and a second discharge pump selectively fluidically coupled to the mixer. A plurality of valves are operated so as to select one of the first discharge pump and the second discharge pump to receive a flow of the portion of the well treatment fluid from the mixer.

Abstract: Methods including mixing a treatment fluid slurry in a storage tank, the treatment fluid slurry comprising an insulative base fluid, an ambient-reactive subterranean formation additive (ARA), wherein the ARA reacts at an ambient temperature, the reaction resulting in surface modification of the ARA, degradation of the ARA, or a combination of surface modification and degradation of the ARA, and wherein the insulative base fluid maintains the treatment fluid slurry at a temperature different from the ambient temperature to prevent the ARA from reacting; and introducing the treatment fluid slurry into a subterranean formation.

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: Controlling the dust emissions from the discharge of bulk materials from a container provides many benefits. A container engages a support structure that includes a frame. The frame includes a dust control enclosure coupled to an outlet or a hopper at the top of the frame and the container or a discharge gate of the container. The dust control enclosure comprises a collapsible and flexible material so that a tight seal is formed between the container and the hopper or the outlet of the frame. Dust from the discharged of the bulk material from the container is contained within the support structure. A dust control panel may also be disposed at the top of the frame to prevent any dust from migrating through the frame. The container may comprise a plurality of dust enclosure panels to further prevent the escape of dust during discharge of the bulk material.

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: 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.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a method of increasing hydration time of a high concentration gelled fluid used in a fracturing fluid that uses multiple hydration tanks whose volumes are isolated from one another to provide a continuous batch of hydrated gel having improved hydration and viscosity.

Abstract: Cylinder pump systems and methods for pumping and measuring fluids are provided. The pump system includes a piston cylinder pump, a linear actuator, and a motor assembly. The piston cylinder pump includes a piston located within a cavity of a cylinder body and dividing the cavity into a first adjustable chamber and a second adjustable chamber and a rod coupled to the piston. The linear actuator includes a shaft coupled to the rod and the linear actuator converts rotational motion to linear motion to linearly move the rod. The motor assembly is coupled to the linear actuator and operable to drive the linear actuator.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a discharge actuation apparatus that is configured to not only fully open and close a sliding gate of a bulk material container, but also move the gate pin to a neutral position with respect to a keeper slot of the bulk container and a receiver slot of the discharge actuation apparatus to ensure proper alignment of the receiver slot and the keeper slot with the gate pin of the bulk container to reduce the likelihood of damage to the receiver or the bulk container during the container's replacement on to the receiver.

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: 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: Methods including mixing a treatment fluid slurry in a storage tank, the treatment fluid slurry comprising an insulative base fluid, an ambient-reactive subterranean formation additive (ARA), wherein the ARA reacts at an ambient temperature, the reaction resulting in surface modification of the ARA, degradation of the ARA, or a combination of surface modification and degradation of the ARA, and wherein the insulative base fluid maintains the treatment fluid slurry at a temperature different from the ambient temperature to prevent the ARA from reacting; and introducing the treatment fluid slurry into a subterranean formation.

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 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: 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: 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.