Vertical Silo Chemical Storage System for Remote Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and natural gas mining and drilling industries face inefficiencies in storing large quantities of chemical additives and acids at remote locations, where limited storage space and the need for frequent refilling lead to time and cost-consuming processes, and the storage of volatile and corrosive chemicals poses additional challenges.
Innovation Solution
A modular chemical storage system comprising vertically standing silos with recirculation pumps, leak detection, and fume scrubbers, along with a controlled blending system to efficiently manage and handle multiple chemical additives and acids, optimizing storage capacity and safety at remote sites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If small tanks with maximum capacity of 550 gallons are used to store chemicals at fracking locations, then the chemicals can be stored onsite, but frequent refilling is required which is time and cost consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal storage (small ground-level tanks) to vertical storage (tall silos extending upward), effectively utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve much larger storage capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint. This allows storing sufficient chemicals for extended periods without frequent refilling trips.
Solution Approach 2:
The silo system incorporates multiple functional components within a compact vertical structure, including storage compartments, recirculation systems, heating elements, and agitation devices nested within the same vertical space, maximizing storage capacity while minimizing land use.
2Productivity
If large quantities of chemicals are stored at remote locations, then the need for frequent refilling is reduced, but the storage space required increases which is limited at well sites
Solution Approach 1:
The silos exploit the vertical dimension to achieve high storage capacity in a compact footprint. By building upward rather than outward, the system stores large quantities of chemicals necessary for extended operations without requiring additional well site area, which is typically constrained by terrain and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The silo walls utilize thin protective coatings and linings that provide corrosion and chemical resistance without adding significant thickness or weight, allowing maximum internal storage volume within the constrained external footprint available at remote well sites.
3Quantity of substance
If volatile and corrosive chemicals are stored in large volumes, then the operational needs are met, but the storage tank must be properly prepared to handle corrosives which adds complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The silo construction employs composite material systems including corrosion-resistant alloys, protective linings, and specialized coatings that provide chemical resistance against volatile and corrosive substances. These composite structures enable large-volume storage of aggressive chemicals while maintaining structural integrity and reducing the need for complex protective systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The silo system incorporates self-contained features including internal recirculation pumps, heating elements, and agitation devices that automatically maintain chemical properties and prevent degradation without requiring external intervention or complex external support systems, thereby simplifying overall storage system complexity.
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 enables efficient storage and handling of bulk chemicals, reducing the need for frequent refilling, minimizing waste, and ensuring safe storage of volatile and corrosive substances, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs in fracking operations.
Implementation Method 1
a volume of acidic solution stored in the acid storage silo is in fluid communication with a recirculation pump
Implementation Method 2
an attached fume scrubber tank
Implementation Method 3
each compartment has a chemical level monitor
Implementation Method 4
each compartment has a cleanup system for rinsing the inside of each compartment
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention include systems for storing large quantities of chemicals at a remote site. A controlled blending system balances the inflow of dry material and liquids into the blender based on a predetermined solid/fluid ratio. The blending system further balances the inflow and outflow of material from the blender.