Gravity-Fed Modular Silo for Dust-Free Oilfield Material Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of oilfield materials in hydraulic fracturing processes is inefficient due to dust creation and the large footprint of equipment, which complicates the process and increases manual labor.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing modular silos that can be transported to the wellsite and erected upright, using gravity to feed oilfield materials to a blender, eliminating the need for blowers and reducing equipment footprint by using vertical conveyors to move materials without airflow, thus minimizing dust and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If pneumatic systems with blowers are used to deliver oilfield materials, then delivery speed is improved, but dust creation increases and equipment footprint expands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful pneumatic blower component from the material delivery system and replaces it with a gravity-fed system. The silos are positioned to allow proppant to flow downward under gravity into the blending system, eliminating the source of dust-generating airflow while maintaining continuous material delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the pneumatic mechanical system (blowers using compressed air) with a gravitational mechanical system. The elevated silo structure creates potential energy that converts to kinetic energy as proppant flows through chutes and conveyors, substituting pneumatic force with gravitational force to eliminate dust creation during material handling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple dust control devices and equipment are deployed, then dust control is improved, but equipment footprint and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of material handling (dust generation) into a benefit by using enclosed gravity-fed chutes and conveyors. The system design inherently contains and controls material flow paths, transforming what would be dust-generating open handling into a controlled, enclosed gravitational flow system that eliminates the need for separate dust control devices.
3Productivity
If traditional pneumatic delivery systems are used, then material delivery is achieved, but manual labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the elevated silos automatically feed proppant to the blending system through gravity. The system self-regulates material flow without requiring manual intervention for material handling, positioning adjustments, or equipment operation, thereby reducing manual labor while maintaining continuous productivity.
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 system allows for a space-efficient and automated handling of oilfield materials, reducing dust and manual labor, while maintaining high delivery rates and energy efficiency compared to traditional pneumatic systems.
Implementation Method 1
the oilfield material is delivered to each silo without blowers... gravity may be used to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other equipment in a controlled manner
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methodology facilitates the handling of oilfield material. The oilfield material is stored in at least one silo which enables use of gravity to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other suitable equipment. Each modular silo is transportable and may be engaged with a support structure via a pivot connection. Once engaged, the silo is pivoted to a raised, upright position on the support structure. The oilfield material is then moved to an interior of the silo, and gravity may be used to feed the oilfield material to a blender or other equipment in a controlled manner.