Cylindrical Proppant Pod with Frustoconical Bottom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional proppant delivery systems are overwhelmed by the large-scale demand for hydraulic fracturing operations, leading to stress and inefficiencies due to lack of fully automated controls, potential spillage, and difficulty in determining when containers are empty, resulting in a need for a stronger and more efficient proppant pod design.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical proppant pod with a frustoconical bottom and a selectively positionable gate, along with an exterior frame for stability and stacking, and a motive means for automated gate operation, which includes a cross-bracing structure and vent assembly to facilitate efficient proppant storage and transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If flat plates are used for sidewalls to form a rectilinear main storage compartment, then the structure is easier to manufacture with standard welding practices, but the structure becomes weaker and requires extensive framework reinforcement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flat rectilinear sidewalls with curved cylindrical sidewalls. This curvature provides inherent structural strength without requiring extensive framework reinforcement, while still allowing for practical manufacturing using standard welding practices for cylindrical structures.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional rectilinear containers are used for proppant storage, then the containers can be easily stacked and transported on standard railcars and trailers, but the containers are heavier and less strong on a per unit weight basis
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical sidewall design provides superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to rectilinear containers, while the overall container dimensions and stacking interface design maintain compatibility with standard transportation infrastructure.
3Device complexity
If the proppant delivery system uses manual monitoring of container discharge status, then the system is simpler with fewer automated components, but it is difficult to ascertain which containers have discharged all proppant requiring frequent manual inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators such as color-coded tags or markings on containers that change or become visible when proppant is depleted, allowing operators to quickly identify empty containers without manual inspection of container contents.
4Device complexity
If the discharge mechanism uses a simple open gate design, then the structure is simpler and easier to manufacture, but proppant spillage occurs during delivery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled discharge gate mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the proppant storage and delivery system. This gate provides regulated proppant flow and prevents spillage while maintaining relatively simple construction using standard gate valve designs.
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
The design provides a stronger, lighter proppant pod that withstands operational stresses, reduces spillage, and simplifies handling, enabling efficient proppant delivery and storage while maintaining a compact footprint, thus supporting large-scale hydraulic fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
A frustoconical bottom covers the bottom end of the cylindrical sidewall. The frustoconical bottom is formed of a wall that tapers inwardly towards a discharge opening.
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable proppant pod provides a containerized system for transport of oilfield proppant to a well location, and facilitates rapid discharge of the proppant in support of hydraulic fracturing operation. The proppant pod has a cylindrical sidewall, a top, and a frustoconical bottom that tapers towards a discharge gate. An external frame may be provided in rectilinear form to stabilize the proppant pod for road transport and to facilitate storage-stacking of a plurality of such proppant pods, one atop the other. The proppant pod is provided with fork lift tubes extending through the cylindrical sidewall. The proppant pod may have a solid top, in which case the proppant pod is inverted for filling operations that introduce proppant into the proppant pod through the discharge gate. A vent assembly is provided to facilitate entry of air during proppant discharge operations, where the vent assembly provides also a seal against proppant leakage during the inverted fill operation.