Patent ID: 9505569
Filing Date: 2016-11-29
CPC Classification: B01D,B08B,B65B,B65D,B65G

Claim Text:
1. A proppant-handling arrangement configured to reduce silicosis, pneumoconiosis, or other diseases caused and/or exacerbated by inhalation of dust generated during a hydraulic fracturing operation by the handling of proppant, said arrangement comprising: a proppant storage device to store proppant received from a pneumatic delivery arrangement; said proppant storage device comprising a connector to connect to said pneumatic delivery arrangement during pneumatic filling of said proppant storage device with proppant, which pneumatic filling generates dust clouds in said proppant storage device; a first vacuum arrangement comprising a first vacuum inlet, disposed on or in an upper portion of said proppant storage device, to suck away at least a portion of a first dust cloud formed upon pneumatic filling of said proppant storage device; a powered vacuum suction system; a first air duct system; said first vacuum arrangement being connected to said powered vacuum suction system by said first air duct system; a conveyor belt arrangement comprising a conveyor belt to transport proppant received from said proppant storage device; said proppant storage device comprising a transfer portion disposed above said conveyor belt to drop proppant onto said conveyor belt, which dropping of proppant generates dust clouds at said conveyor belt arrangement; a second vacuum arrangement comprising a second vacuum inlet, disposed at said conveyor belt arrangement, to suck away at least a portion of a second dust cloud formed upon transfer of proppant onto said conveyor belt; a second air duct system; said second vacuum arrangement being connected to said powered vacuum suction system by said second air duct system; a blender to mix proppant received from said conveyor belt arrangement with proppant-conducting material to form a proppant mixture; said conveyor belt arrangement comprising a transfer portion disposed above said blender to drop proppant into said blender, which dropping of proppant generates dust clouds at said blender; a third vacuum arrangement comprising a third vacuum inlet, disposed at said blender, to suck away at least a portion of a third dust cloud formed upon transfer of proppant into said blender; a third air duct system; said third vacuum arrangement being connected to said powered vacuum suction system by said third air duct system; said powered vacuum suction system comprises a vacuum dust collection machine to generate a vacuum, in said air duct systems and said vacuum arrangements, sufficient to: said powered vacuum suction system comprising a dust collection container to collect dust from air suctioned through said air duct systems and said vacuum arrangements from said proppant storage device, said conveyor belt arrangement, and said blender.