Self-Erecting Silo System for Oilfield Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and natural gas well sites often face limited storage space due to remote and inaccessible locations, leading to inefficient and costly storage solutions for materials needed for fracking operations, such as proppants and fluids, which require significant storage capacity and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A self-erecting silo storage system comprising a trailer with a flipper mechanism, rocker arm, and hook plates that allows for vertical positioning of storage bins, enabling efficient storage and mobility while reducing space requirements, and includes hydraulic support legs and pneumatic locking pins for secure engagement and disengagement of the bins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional horizontal storage bins are used on trailers, then mobility is maintained, but storage capacity within available footprint is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage bin is designed to rotate from a horizontal position during transport to a vertical position during storage operations. This dimensional change allows the same physical structure to provide significantly increased storage capacity (three times more) within the same footprint area, resolving the contradiction between storage quantity and footprint area.
2Quantity of substance
If storage bins are vertically positioned to increase capacity, then storage efficiency improves, but complexity of deployment and retraction mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage bin incorporates a rotational mechanism that allows it to dynamically change orientation between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic capability enables the system to achieve high storage capacity while using a relatively simple deployment mechanism based on rotation rather than complex assembly structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment system is divided into separate functional components: the rotational mechanism for position change, the flipper mechanism for engagement, and the locking system for securing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity while achieving the vertical positioning goal.
3Quantity of substance
If materials are stored in tractor trailer rigs during transport, then storage is achieved, but driver time and operational efficiency are lost due to parking requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The trailer-mounted storage bin system serves multiple functions: it provides material storage during transport and maintains readiness for immediate dispensing at the well site. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage facilities and driver waiting time, as materials are already positioned and ready for operation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to novel transportable silo systems for storage of materials. The invention relates to self-erecting silo storage systems for use in the oil and natural gas mining and drilling industries. The silo storage systems of embodiments of the instant invention are uniquely designed to improve storage capabilities and mobility while at the same time reducing space requirements at well sites.