Bulk Material Container for Wet Proppant Unloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dry bulk material containers are not suitable for handling wet proppant due to its clumping nature, which hinders complete unloading and requires modifications to accommodate wet proppant effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bulk material container designed with a body having a cavity that leads to an opening, equipped with engagement elements for transportation and unloading, and a configuration that allows for complete emptying by gravity or unloading device, specifically addressing the challenges of handling wet proppant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a container is designed with a taper at the bottom to funnel dry bulk material to a valve for emptying, then dry bulk material can be emptied efficiently, but wet proppant clumps and does not flow as easily, resulting in incomplete unloading
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a tapered bottom to funnel material out, the patent inverts the approach by providing a flat bottom with a large opening that allows the container to be emptied by gravity when tilted, enabling complete unloading of wet proppant without clumping issues
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into a body for transport and a separate discharge mechanism with a flat bottom and large opening, allowing the wet proppant to be emptied completely through gravitational force when the container is tilted, addressing the clumping problem of wet material
2Quantity of substance
If wet proppant is transported long distances, then transportation costs increase and environmental impact increases, but drying the proppant requires additional time and energy
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to accommodate wet proppant directly without requiring external drying intervention, allowing the material to be transported and emptied as-is, thereby eliminating the energy-consuming drying process while maintaining bulk material availability
3Ease of manufacture
If wet proppant is used instead of dry bulk material, then transportation costs and drying costs are reduced, but the proppant clumps and does not flow as easily
Solution Approach 1:
The container uses a flat bottom with a large opening instead of a tapered design, allowing wet proppant to be emptied by tilting the container rather than funneling it through a narrow opening, thereby maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving flowability and complete unloading capability
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 container enables efficient transportation and complete unloading of wet proppant, reducing material left behind and minimizing environmental impact by eliminating the need for drying, thus enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a configuration that allows for complete emptying by gravity or unloading device
Data Source
AI summary
A bulk material container can include a body, having a plurality of side walls, a bottom, a cavity, and an opening, and a first engagement element. The plurality of side walls are coupled to the bottom, and the cavity, which is configured to receive a bulk material, is formed within the plurality of side walls and above the bottom. The opening is formed by the plurality of side walls spatially opposite of the bottom and is configured to discharge the bulk material when the container is at least partially inverted. The first engagement element can be configured to receive one or more prongs of a transportation device or a bulk material unloading device. In some embodiments, the container may also include a second engagement element and/or a third engagement element, for example with the first, second, and/or third engagement elements differing from each other.