Roll-off transport barrel with gravity, vacuum, and pneumatic loading and unloading

A barrel is capable of vacuum loading and unloading, gravity unloading and loading, and pneumatic unloading. A roll-off skid is coupled to the barrel.

BACKGROUND

Tank trailers drawn by trucks may be used to transport bulk materials, such as sand, water, oil, and other similar materials, from a source location to a destination, where the bulk materials may be put to use. Once the bulk materials are consumed, the tank trailer may be returned to the source location to be refilled and returned to the destination. It may take some time for the bulk materials delivered using the tank trailer to be completely consumed at the destination. It may be inefficient to leave the truck driver, the truck, and the tank trailer idle while the bulk materials delivered using the tank trailer are being consumed. Efficiently transporting bulk materials to a destination in a tank trailer is a challenge.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates embodiments of the present disclosure. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice these embodiments without undue experimentation. It should be understood, however, that the embodiments and examples described herein are given by way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation. Various substitutions, modifications, additions, and rearrangements may be made that remain potential applications of the disclosed techniques. Therefore, the description that follows is not to be taken as limiting on the scope of the appended claims. In particular, an element associated with a particular embodiment should not be limited to association with that particular embodiment but should be assumed to be capable of association with any embodiment discussed herein.

FIG. 1is a side plan view of a transport barrel mounted on a roll-off skid. A barrel102is useful for containing and transporting bulk materials, such as water and other fluids, such as fracing fluids, sand, grains, powders, gravel, or other similar materials. The barrel102is capable of vacuum loading and unloading. Vacuum loading is performed by pulling pressure out of the barrel102through vacuum/pressure valve104creating a negative pressure within the barrel102. The negative pressure urges the bulk materials through vacuum loading/unloading valve106(or through a valve (not shown) installed in the rear of the barrel102opposite vacuum/pressure valve104) into the barrel102. Vacuum unloading is performed by applying pressure to the vacuum/pressure valve104creating a positive pressure within the barrel102while applying a vacuum to unloading valve106. The positive pressure urges the bulk materials out of the barrel102and through unloading valve106.

The barrel102is capable of gravity unloading and loading. The barrel102may be gravity loaded through manways108,110, and112, and unloaded through unloading valve302(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) or through unloading valve106.

The barrel102is capable of pneumatic unloading. In one or more embodiments, pneumatic unloading is performed through valve302(seeFIGS. 3 and 4) or through unloading valve106. In one or more embodiments, unloading valve106or unloading valve302include fittings for a fluidization line (not shown), used to inject pressurized air into the barrel102to fluidize the bulk material in the barrel102, and fittings for an unloading line (not shown), through which the bulk material in the barrel102is drawn using, for example, the Venturi effect.

A roll-off skid114, described in more detail below, is coupled to the barrel.

The barrel102has an upper concave section116, a middle convex section118, and a lower trough section120. The upper concave section116is a storage area for bulk materials. The middle convex section118is shaped to urge the bulk materials into the lower trough section120. The lower trough section120funnels bulk materials toward the unloading valves302and106.

The upper concave section116has a port side122and a starboard side124(visible inFIG. 2). The port side122of the upper concave section116has a port-side v-shaped edge126. The starboard side124has a starboard-side v-shaped edge127(seeFIG. 3). The upper concave section116has an upper concave section front edge128and an upper concave section rear edge130.

The middle convex section118has a port convex baffle132(seeFIG. 3). The port convex baffle132has an upper v-shaped edge134coupled to the port-side v-shaped edge126of the upper concave section116. The port convex baffle132has a lower v-shaped edge136. The port convex baffle132has a port convex section138between the upper v-shaped edge134and the lower v-shaped edge136of the port convex baffle132.

The middle convex section118has a starboard convex baffle304(seeFIG. 3). The starboard convex baffle304includes an upper v-shaped edge306coupled to the starboard-side v-shaped edge127of the upper concave section116. The starboard convex baffle304includes a lower v-shaped edge308. The starboard convex baffle304includes a starboard convex section310between the upper v-shaped edge306and the lower v-shaped edge308of the starboard convex baffle. The middle convex section118has a middle convex section front edge140and a middle convex section rear edge142.

The lower trough section120is coupled to the lower v-shaped edge of the port convex baffle136and the lower v-shaped edge of the starboard convex baffle308. The lower trough section120has a lower trough section front edge144and a lower trough section rear edge146.

The barrel102includes a front cap148coupled to the upper concave section front edge128, the middle convex front edge140, and the lower trough section front edge144. The barrel102includes a rear cap150coupled to the upper concave section rear edge130, the middle convex rear edge142and the lower trough section rear edge146.

In one embodiment, illustrated inFIG. 5, the upper concave section116is extended to a full cylinder502that encloses the middle convex section118and through which the lower trough section120extends. In one known embodiment, the cylinder502is made of steel. In one or more embodiments the cylinder is made of aluminum. In one or more embodiments, the barrel102illustrated inFIGS. 1-4is made of aluminum and is lighter than the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 5because of the difference in weight between steel and aluminum and because of the lack of metal (steel or aluminum) in the upper convex section116adjacent to the middle convex section118and the lower trough section120.

In one or more embodiments, illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the lower trough section120includes a funnel602and a permeable membrane604. In one cross section, shown inFIG. 6A, the funnel602has a shape of an inverted truncated pyramid with curved sides606,608having a wide opening610at a base of the truncated pyramid and a narrow opening612at a truncated plane of the truncated pyramid. The permeable membrane604is coupled to the wide opening610of the funnel602. In another cross section illustrated inFIG. 6B, transverse to the cross-section illustrated inFIG. 6A, the lower trough section120has the shape of a V.

In one or more embodiments, illustrated inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the lower trough section120includes a funnel702and a permeable membrane604. In one cross section, shown inFIG. 7A, the funnel702has a shape of an inverted truncated pyramid with straight sides706,708having a wide opening710at a base of the truncated pyramid and a narrow opening712at a truncated plane of the truncated pyramid. The permeable membrane704is coupled to the wide opening710of the funnel702. In another cross section illustrated inFIG. 7B, transverse to the cross-section illustrated inFIG. 7A, the lower trough section120has the shape of a V.

When pneumatically unloading, pressurized air is injected into the barrel102through the funnel602,702and through the permeable membrane604,704to fluidize the bulk material in the barrel102. The fluidized bulk material flows more easily toward and out of the unloading valve302or the unloading valve106. In one or more embodiments, the permeable membrane604,704is a sheet of cloth or, in high temperature applications, a stainless steel mesh.

The V shape and convex shape of the middle convex section118and the V shape of the lower trough section120also enhance movement of the bulk material within the barrel102.

Returning toFIG. 1, the roll-off skid114includes a port rail152having a front end154and a rear end156. The roll-off skid114includes a starboard rail (not shown but very similar to the port rail152) parallel to the port rail152, the starboard rail having a front end (not shown) and a rear end (not shown). The roll-off skid114includes a plurality of beams (not shown) transverse to the port rail152and the starboard rail and coupling the port rail152to the starboard rail. The roll-off skid114includes a port rear wheel158coupled to a rear end of the port rail152. The roll-off skid114includes a starboard rear wheel (not shown) coupled to a rear end (not shown) of the starboard rail. The roll-off skid114includes a port front wheel160coupled to the port rail152between the port rear wheel158and the front end154of the port rail152. The roll-off skid114includes a starboard front wheel (not shown) coupled to the starboard rail between the starboard rear wheel and the front end of the starboard rail. The roll-off skid114includes a hook162coupled to the port rail152and starboard rail adjacent to the front end154of the port rail152. The roll-off skid114includes a plurality of port posts164a-dcoupled between the port rail152and the barrel102. The roll-off skid114includes a plurality of starboard posts (not shown) coupled between the starboard rail and the barrel. The roll-off skid114includes fork-lift pockets166a,166b.

In one example of use, illustrated inFIG. 8A, a barrel coupled to a roll-off skid802is filled with a material804, such as sand. The filled barrel and roll-off skid802is loaded onto a truck-drawn trailer806in such a way that the bridging requirements of the truck-drawn trailer806are satisfied. The “bridging” requirements of the truck-drawn trailer806are the requirements of the transfer of weight from the truck-drawn trailer806to a fifth wheel808of a truck810and may limit the load for the truck-drawn trailer806to a single full barrel coupled to a roll-off skid802.

The truck-drawn trailer806is transported from a loading location812to an unloading location814by the truck810, as shown inFIG. 8B. The full barrel coupled to a roll-off skid802is unloaded from the truck-drawn trailer806at the unloading location814, as shown inFIG. 8C, where a plurality of empty barrels coupled to roll-off skids816,818is waiting to be returned to the source location812for refilling. The plurality of empty barrels coupled to roll-off skids816,818is loaded onto the truck-drawn trailer806. In one or more embodiments, because the plurality of empty barrels coupled to roll-off skids816,818is empty, they can be loaded on the truck-drawn trailer806without violating the bridging requirements of the truck-drawn trailer806. The empty barrels coupled to roll-off skids816,818are returned to the loading location812, as shown inFIG. 8D.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a barrel capable of vacuum loading and unloading, gravity unloading and loading, and pneumatic unloading. A roll-off skid is coupled to the barrel.

Implementations may include one or more of the following. The barrel may include an upper concave section. The upper concave section may have a port side having a port-side v-shaped edge, a starboard side having a starboard-side v-shaped edge, an upper concave section front edge, and an upper concave section rear edge. The barrel may include a middle convex section. The middle convex section may have a port convex baffle. The port convex baffle may have an upper v-shaped edge coupled to the port-side v-shaped edge of the upper concave section, a lower v-shaped edge, and a port convex section between the upper v-shaped edge and the lower v-shaped edge of the port convex baffle. The middle convex section may have a starboard convex baffle. The starboard convex baffle may have an upper v-shaped edge coupled to the starboard-side v-shaped edge of the upper concave section, a lower v-shaped edge, and a starboard convex section between the upper v-shaped edge and the lower v-shaped edge of the starboard convex baffle. The middle convex section may have a middle convex section front edge, and a middle convex section rear edge. The barrel may include a lower trough section coupled to the lower v-shaped edge of the port convex baffle and the lower v-shaped edge of the starboard convex baffle. The lower trough section may have a lower trough section front edge and a lower trough section rear edge. The barrel may have a front cap coupled to the upper concave section front edge, the middle convex front edge and the lower trough section front edge. The barrel may have a rear cap coupled to the upper concave section rear edge, the middle convex rear edge and the lower trough section rear edge. The barrel may have a plurality of openings. The apparatus may have an outer shell that encloses the upper concave section and the middle convex section and through which the lower trough section extends. The lower trough section may have a funnel. The funnel may have in one cross section, a shape of an inverted truncated pyramid with curved sides and having a wide opening at a base of the truncated pyramid and a narrow opening at a truncated plane of the truncated pyramid, and in another cross section, the shape of a V. The funnel may include a permeable membrane, such as a cloth mesh or, for higher t coupled to the wide opening of the upper portion. The funnel may have in one cross section, a shape of an inverted truncated pyramid with straight sides and having a wide opening at a base of the truncated pyramid and a narrow opening at a truncated plane of the truncated pyramid, and in another cross section, the shape of a V. The openings may include a pneumatic port into the lower trough section, a vacuum port into the upper concave section, and a gravity feed port into the upper concave section. The roll-off skid may include a port rail having a front end and a rear end. The roll-off skid may include a starboard rail parallel to the port rail, the starboard rail having a front end and a rear end. The roll-off skid may include a plurality of beams transverse to the port rail and the starboard rail and coupling the port rail to the starboard rail. The roll-off skid may include a port rear wheel coupled to a rear end of the port rail. The roll-off skid may include a starboard rear wheel coupled to a rear end of the starboard rail. The roll-off skid may include a port front wheel coupled to the port rail between the port rear wheel and the front end of the port rail. The roll-off skid may include a starboard front wheel coupled to the starboard rail between the starboard rear wheel and the front end of the starboard rail. The roll-off skid may include a hook coupled to the port rail and the starboard rail adjacent to the front end of the port rail and the starboard rail. The roll-off skid may include a plurality of port posts coupled between the port rail and the barrel. The roll-off skid may include a plurality of starboard posts coupled between the starboard rail and the barrel.

In one aspect, an apparatus includes a barrel. The barrel includes an upper concave section. The upper concave section has a port side having a port-side v-shaped edge, a starboard side having a starboard-side v-shaped edge, an upper concave section front edge, and an upper concave section rear edge. The barrel includes a middle convex section. The middle convex section has a port convex baffle. The port convex baffle has an upper v-shaped edge coupled to the port-side v-shaped edge of the upper concave section, a lower v-shaped edge, and a port convex section between the upper v-shaped edge and the lower v-shaped edge of the port convex baffle. The middle convex section has a starboard convex baffle. The starboard convex baffle has an upper v-shaped edge coupled to the starboard-side v-shaped edge of the upper concave section, a lower v-shaped edge, and a starboard convex section between the upper v-shaped edge and the lower v-shaped edge of the starboard convex baffle. The middle convex section has a middle convex section front edge, and a middle convex section rear edge. The barrel has a lower trough section coupled to the lower v-shaped edge of the port convex baffle and the lower v-shaped edge of the starboard convex baffle. The lower trough section has a lower trough section front edge and a lower trough section rear edge. The barrel has a front cap coupled to the upper concave section front edge, the middle convex front edge and the lower trough section front edge. The barrel has a rear cap coupled to the upper concave section rear edge, the middle convex rear edge and the lower trough section rear edge. The barrel has a plurality of openings.

In one aspect, a method includes filling a barrel coupled to a roll-off skid with a material. The method includes loading the filled barrel onto a truck-drawn trailer. The method includes transporting the truck-drawn trailer from a loading location to an unloading location. The method includes unloading the barrel from the truck-drawn trailer. The method includes loading a plurality of empty barrels coupled to roll-off skids onto the truck-drawn trailer. The method includes returning to the loading location with the empty barrels.

Implementations may include one or more of the following. The truck-drawn trailer may be a tilt-up trailer. Unloading the barrel from the truck-drawn trailer may include tilting up the tilt-up trailer. Filling the barrel with material may include pneumatically filling the barrel. The method may include pneumatically unloading the barrel. Filling the barrel with material may include vacuum filling the barrel. The method may include vacuum unloading the barrel. Filling the barrel with material may include gravity filling the barrel. The method may include gravity unloading the barrel.

The operations of the flow diagrams are described with references to the systems/apparatus shown in the block diagrams. However, it should be understood that the operations of the flow diagrams could be performed by embodiments of systems and apparatus other than those discussed with reference to the block diagrams, and embodiments discussed with reference to the systems/apparatus could perform operations different than those discussed with reference to the flow diagrams.

The word “coupled” herein means a direct connection or an indirect connection.

The text above describes one or more specific embodiments of a broader invention. The invention also is carried out in a variety of alternate embodiments and thus is not limited to those described here. The foregoing description of an embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.