Diffuser Spout Conical Sidewall Proppant Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional load out systems struggle to completely fill storage containers with proppant, as it tends to mound in the middle and not spread evenly across the interior volume.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser spout is designed for the outlet of a load out silo, featuring a housing and a diffuser element with a conical sidewall that expands from the first end disposed in the housing to the second end terminating below the housing, facilitating even distribution of proppant into the corners of the storage container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional load out systems are used to dispense proppant into storage containers, then the system structure is simple, but the proppant mounds in the middle and does not spread evenly across the container interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a conical diffuser element with a curved surface that expands from the outlet upward and outward. This conical geometry redirects the proppant flow from a concentrated vertical stream into a wider, more uniform distribution pattern across the container interior, eliminating the mounding problem through smooth curved surface guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser spout extends the proppant dispersion in the horizontal dimension by creating a conical expansion pattern. Instead of proppant falling straight down in a single vertical dimension, the conical structure distributes it across multiple horizontal positions simultaneously, achieving even coverage of the container floor.
2Productivity
If proppant is dispensed using conventional systems, then the dispensing process is fast, but the container is not completely filled and logistics efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The conical diffuser geometry creates an expanded dispersion pattern that reaches all corners of the container interior. This ensures complete filling without requiring multiple dispensing passes, thereby improving productivity while maintaining fast dispensing speeds and reducing logistics time.
3Reliability
If processed silica sand is used with drying and grading operations, then proppant characteristics are optimized, but the cost and timing for storage, transport and dispensing increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the intermediate drying and grading processing steps from the proppant supply chain. By using wet sand directly from the mine without these time-consuming post-mining processes, the system reduces processing time and costs while still achieving reliable proppant performance through the improved dispensing geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured for an outlet of a load out silo provided for dispensing proppant from the silo into a storage container. The apparatus comprises a diffuser spout having a housing configured for securing the diffuser spout to the silo outlet and a diffuser element including a first end disposed in the housing, a second end terminating below the housing and a conical sidewall extending between the first and second ends. Flanges extend from the housing for securing the diffuser element thereto.