Manifold Dust Capture for Hydraulic Fracturing Silica Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations generate significant silica dust from frac sand, posing health risks due to the carcinogenic nature of silica, and existing dust control methods are inefficient, burdensome, and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a manifold with ports for capturing dust using negative air pressure, supported by a structure above frac sand handling equipment, which includes an enclosure and conduits to collect dust efficiently, reducing the need for respirators and water-based dust control methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based dust control methods are used, then silica dust is suppressed, but water consumption increases and worker efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a pneumatic dust collection system with a manifold and negative air pressure to capture silica dust at the source during frac sand handling, replacing water-based suppression methods and eliminating the need for excessive water consumption while effectively controlling dust exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts silica dust from the air at the point of generation using the manifold with multiple ports positioned above the frac sand handling equipment, removing the harmful dust before it can disperse and eliminating the need for water-based control methods
2Object-affected harmful factors
If respirators are required for worker protection, then silica dust intake is reduced, but worker efficiency and site productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The dust collection system serves itself by automatically capturing silica dust at the source through negative air pressure applied at the manifold, protecting workers without requiring their active participation through respirator wear, thus maintaining full worker efficiency and productivity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple OSHA dust control techniques are implemented, then worker exposure is limited, but operational complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dust control functions into a single integrated manifold system with multiple ports that can capture dust from various locations simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple separate OSHA-recommended control techniques and simplifying the overall dust management approach
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 effectively collects silica dust during frac sand handling, improving worker safety by reducing dust intake and allowing for increased worker presence and efficiency at the site without the need for extensive water usage or respirator wear.
Implementation Method 1
A manifold having a plurality of ports for capturing dust when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling dust during hydraulic fracturing operations includes a manifold having a plurality of ports for capturing dust when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold. A support frame positions the manifold above a piece of hydraulic fracturing equipment receiving sand from a sand source.