Abstract: A cement mixing and pumping simulator comprises actual and virtual equipment. In response to an operator controlling this equipment, signals representing operating characteristics of a cement mixing system realistically represented by the actual and virtual equipment are generated. These signals are communicated for displaying the operating characteristics to the operator so that the operator obtains real-time responses to the operator's control of the actual and virtual equipment.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is provided for mixing slurries, particularly high density, high viscosity fracturing fluid slurries containing a large proportion of proppant material. A mixing tub has a generally round horizontal cross-sectional shape. A relatively large, low-speed rotating agitator is utilized to mix the slurry. The design of the agitator is such that a radially inwardly rolling toroidal shaped slurry flow zone is created adjacent the upper surface of the slurry within the tub. A stream of clean fracturing fluid is introduced into the tub near the center of the toroidal shaped flow zone. Dry proppant material is introduced into the tub and carried by the radially inwardly rolling flow into contact with the clean fracturing fluid. Foraminous baffles, preferably constructed from expanded metal sheets, are radially oriented within the tub to reduce rotational motion of the slurry within the tub without causing dropout of proppant from the slurry.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is provided for mixing slurries, particularly high density, high viscosity fracturing fluid slurries containing a large proportion of proppant material. A mixing tub has a generally round horizontal cross-sectional shape. A relatively large, low-speed rotating agitator is utilized to mix the slurry. The design of the agitator is such that a radially inwardly rolling toroidal shaped slurry flow zone is created adjacent the upper surface of the slurry within the tub. A stream of clean fracturing fluid is introduced into the tub near the center of the toroidal shaped flow zone. Dry proppant material is introduced into the tube and carried by the radially inwardly rolling flow into contact with the clean fracturing fluid. Foraminous baffles, preferably constructed from expanded metal sheets, are radially oriented within the tub to reduce rotational motion of the slurry within the tub without causing dropout of proppant from the slurry.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus is provided for mixing slurries, particularly high density, high viscosity fracturing fluid slurries containing a large proportion of proppant material. A mixing tub has a generally round horizontal cross-sectional shape. A relatively large, low-speed rotating agitator is utilized to mix the slurry. The design of the agitator is such that a radially inwardly rolling toroidal shaped slurry flow zone is created adjacent the upper surface of the slurry within the tub. A stream of clean fracturing fluid is introduced into the tub near the center of the toroidal shaped flow zone. Dry proppant material is introduced into the tub and carried by the radially inwardly rolling flow into contact with the clean fracturing fluid. Foraminous baffles, preferably constructed from expanded metal sheets, are radially oriented within the tub to reduce rotational motion of the slurry within the tub without causing dropout of proppant from the slurry.

Abstract: A transportable material conveying apparatus includes a frame having a surge bin mounted on the frame for receiving, holding and discharging particulate material. A gathering conveyor is mounted on the frame for gathering the particulate material and delivering the particulate material into the surge bin. A discharge conveyor is mounted on the frame below an outlet of the surge bin for receiving the particulate material from the outlet and for conveying the particulate material to a discharge point.

Abstract: An additive material storage and metering system includes a transportable frame having a plurality of dry material storage bins mounted thereon. The plurality of dry material storage bins includes smaller dry material storage bins and larger dry material storage bins. The metering system for the larger dry material storage bins has a flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The metering system for the smaller dry material storage bins has a second flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The low end of the second range is lower than the low end of the first range, and the high end of the second range is between the low and high ends of the first range, so that any given dry material may be dispensed at any rate within an overall flow rate range from the low end of the second range to the high end of the first range by placing said material in the proper dry material storage bin.

Abstract: An additive material storage and metering system includes a transportable frame having a plurality of dry material storage bins mounted thereon. The plurality of dry material storage bins includes smaller material storage bins and larger dry material storage bins. The metering system for the larger dry material storage bins has a flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The metering system for the smaller dry material storage bins has a second flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The low end of the second range is lower than the low end of the first range, and the high end of the second range is between the low and high ends of the first range, so that any given dry material may be dispensed at any rate within an overall flow rate range from the low end of the second range to the high end of the first range by placing said material in the proper dry material storage bin.

Abstract: A transportable frame includes a plurality of liquid material storage tanks and dry material storage bins mounted thereon. There are smaller liquid material storage tanks and larger liquid material storage tanks. The metering system for the larger liquid material storage tanks has a flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The metering system for the smaller liquid material storage tanks has a second flow rate range varying from a low end to a high end. The low end of the second range is lower than the low end of the first range, and the high end of the second range is between the low and high ends of the first range. There are also larger and smaller dry material storage bins with similarly sized metering systems for the dry material storage bins. The dry material storage bins are partially supported from the transportable frame by load cells which are mounted on extendable hydraulic cylinders.

Abstract: A land vehicle for use as a blender for the mixing of dry, particulate, and liquid materials comprising a chassis having an articulated frame thereon, the articulated frame including a first translatable portion and a second translatable, rotatable portion rotatably secured to the first translatable portion whereby movement of the articulated frame with respect to the chassis between a first retracted position and a second extended position causes translational movement of the first translatable portion of the articulate frame and translational and rotational movement of the second translatable, rotatable portion of the articulated frame.

Abstract: A land vehicle for use as a blender for the mixing of dry, particulate, and liquid materials comprising a chassis having an articulated frame thereon, the articulated frame including a first translatable portion and a second translatable, rotatable portion rotatably secured to the first translatable portion whereby movement of the articulated frame with respect to the chassis between a first retracted position and a second extended position causes translational movement of the first translatable portion of the articulate frame and translational and rotational movement of the second translatable, rotatable portion of the articulated frame.