Modular Skid Storage Bay for Clean Particulate Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for storing particulate materials, such as sand, at work sites like construction or well sites often result in contamination due to spillage on the ground, which necessitates remediation, especially in applications like hydraulic fracturing where contamination must be avoided.
Innovation Solution
A modular particulate storage system comprising portable skids that form a storage bay with a contiguous rectangular floor and wall, featuring an open passageway, allowing equipment access and preventing spillage, while maintaining controlled storage and retrieval of materials like sand, gravel, or proppants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If particulate materials are dumped on the ground for storage, then storage capacity and accessibility are improved, but contamination and spillage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system is divided into multiple modular skids that can be assembled together to form a contained storage bay. Each skid is a self-contained unit with walls and floor sections that can be individually positioned and connected, creating a segmented but unified storage structure that prevents contamination while maintaining accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage bay acts as an intermediary structure between the particulate materials and the ground environment. By introducing this contained space with walls and floor, the system mediates the interaction between stored materials and the external environment, preventing direct contact that causes contamination and spillage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed storage structure is built to prevent contamination, then contamination is reduced, but mobility and adaptability are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system uses segmented modular skids that can be assembled in different configurations. Each skid is a portable unit that can be easily transported and repositioned, allowing the overall storage capacity and shape to be adapted to different site requirements while maintaining contamination prevention through the enclosed design.
Solution Approach 2:
The storage structure transitions from a static fixed building to a dynamic modular assembly. The skids can be added, removed, or reconfigured based on storage needs, and the entire structure can be relocated if required. This dynamic approach maintains contamination protection while providing flexibility and adaptability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple separate storage units are used to prevent spillage, then contamination is reduced, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standardized modular skids as segmented units that simplify assembly. Each skid is a pre-fabricated unit with consistent dimensions and connection points, making it easy to replicate and assemble in series. The segmentation into identical modules reduces the complexity compared to designing a custom non-modular structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple individual skids are merged together through standardized connections to form a unified storage bay. The merging process is simplified by using consistent connection mechanisms across all skids, allowing workers to repeatedly apply the same assembly procedure rather than dealing with unique connection requirements for each component.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular particulate storage system includes a plurality of portable skids, wherein each skid includes an elongate rectangular base supporting a floor section and a wall section extending upward from the floor section. The plurality of portable skids are securable together in a side-by-side configuration to form a storage bay having a contiguous rectangular floor that combines the floor sections of the plurality of portable skids and a contiguous wall that combines the walls sections of the plurality of portion skids and extends along three sides of the contiguous rectangular floor. One side of the contiguous rectangular floor includes an open passageway into the storage bay. A skid may be formed as a trailer that may be lowered to be supported by the ground.