Patent ID: 8636832
Filing Date: 2014-01-28
Classification: B01D,B08B,B65D

Abstract:
1. A proppant-handling arrangement configured to reduce silicosis caused and/or exacerbated by inhalation of SiO 2 dust generated during a hydraulic fracturing operation by the handling of SiO 2 -containing proppant, such as, pneumatic filling of a proppant storage trailer with SiO 2 -containing proppant, moving SiO 2 -containing proppant onto a conveyor arrangement, and moving SiO 2 -containing proppant into a mixer, prior to injection of SiO 2 -containing proppant into a well bore, said arrangement comprising: a proppant storage trailer comprising observation openings in an upper portion thereof; said proppant storage trailer being configured to receive SiO said observation openings being configured and disposed to permit checking, by a worker, of the proppant fill level in said proppant storage trailer during filling; first vacuum arrangements being disposed sufficiently close to said observation openings to suck away at least a portion of an SiO a hose arrangement being connected to said first vacuum arrangements; a vacuum source comprising a vacuum-generating arrangement and a source of power configured to drive said vacuum-generating arrangement; said hose arrangement being operatively connected to said vacuum source; said vacuum source being configured to be activated to generate a negative pressure at least inside of said proppant storage trailer; said vacuum source being configured to provide a vacuum, through said hose arrangement and said first vacuum arrangements, sufficient to suck away at least a portion of a first SiO a conveyor arrangement; said proppant storage trailer being configured to move SiO at least one second vacuum arrangement operatively connected to said vacuum source and being disposed at said conveyor arrangement; said vacuum source being configured to provide a vacuum through said at least one second vacuum arrangement sufficient to suck away at least a portion of said second SiO a mixer being configured to mix SiO said conveyor arrangement being configured to move SiO at least one third vacuum arrangement operatively connected to said vacuum source and being disposed at said mixer; said vacuum source being configured to provide a vacuum through said at least one third vacuum arrangement sufficient to suck away at least a portion of said third SiO an SiO