Blender Unit Integrated Container Support Frame Gravity Feed
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulk material handling systems for oil and gas well sites are inefficient, leading to dust generation, material spillage, and the need for external power sources due to reliance on mechanical conveying systems, which also require extensive setup time and space.
Innovation Solution
A blender unit integrated with a container support frame that elevates bulk material containers for gravity-fed transfer directly into a mixer, eliminating the need for pneumatic or mechanical conveyance and simplifying the handling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If mechanical conveying systems are used to transfer bulk material, then material transfer capability is achieved, but dust generation and material spillage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical conveying system from the bulk material handling process. By using gravity-fed transfer through vertically positioned hoppers and chutes, the system removes the need for complex mechanical conveyors, thereby reducing material spillage and dust generation while simplifying the overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions bulk material containers and hoppers at different vertical elevations to create a gravity-driven flow path. By establishing this vertical potential difference, materials flow naturally from higher to lower positions through gravity, eliminating the need for mechanical conveying systems and reducing material loss.
2Productivity
If pneumatic conveying is used to transfer bulk material, then transfer efficiency is improved, but external power sources and system complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vertical elevation differences between bulk material containers and receiving hoppers to create gravitational potential energy. This natural gravity-fed transfer mechanism eliminates the need for pneumatic conveying systems and external power sources, while maintaining efficient material transfer through optimized vertical positioning and gravity-driven flow paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables bulk material to transfer itself using gravity rather than requiring external pneumatic power. The vertically arranged hoppers and chutes allow materials to flow automatically from source to destination without external energy input, achieving self-service material handling.
3Reliability
If separate container support frames are used, then container stability is achieved, but setup time and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the container support frame directly with the blender unit structure. The support frame becomes an integral part of the blender assembly, providing stable container positioning while eliminating separate setup steps. This merging of functions reduces both setup time and space requirements while maintaining container stability during operation.
4Loss of time
If integrated container support frame is used, then setup time is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support frame is merged with the blender unit as an integrated assembly, where structural components serve multiple functions: supporting bulk material containers, providing structural framework, and enabling gravity-fed material transfer. This multi-functional integration reduces setup time without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated support frame structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it supports containers, defines the gravity flow path, and integrates with the blender housing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing setup time while keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces dust generation, minimizes material spillage, and decreases operational costs and complexity by eliminating the need for external power sources and mechanical conveyance systems, while facilitating faster setup and reducing capital costs.
Implementation Method 1
A blender unit integrated with a container support frame that elevates bulk material containers for gravity-fed transfer directly into a mixer
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for managing bulk material efficiently at a well site are provided. The disclosure is directed to a container support frame that is integrated into a blender unit. The support frame is used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material, and the blender unit may include a gravity feed outlet for outputting bulk material from the containers directly into a mixer of the blender unit. The blender unit with integrated support frame may eliminate the need for any subsequent mechanical conveyance of the bulk material (e.g., via a separate mechanical conveying system or on-blender sand screws) from the containers to the mixer. As such, the integrated blender unit may be lighter weight, take up less space, and have a lower cost and complexity than existing blenders.