Logistics container for frac sand and frac liquid

A logistics apparatus for transporting frac sand, frac liquid, and/or drill cuttings between a terminal and a well pad. The apparatus includes a container having a top and bottom. The top having one or more inlet port for receiving frac sand and a liquid outlet. The inlet orts can be secured by watertight covers. The bottom of the container is configured as a hopper having an opening secured by a railcar gate. The apparatus, in position having the railcar gate at bottom, can be used to store and transport frac sand. The apparatus can be inverted for transporting the frac liquid.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container for transporting frac sand, frac liquid, and/or drill cuttings, more particularly, the present invention relates to a container that can be inverted for selectively storing frac sand or frac liquid.

BACKGROUND

With hydraulic fracturing becoming a standard in oil and gas production, the demand for frac sand has climbed exponentially in the last decade. Moreover, an increase in production to cope with the increasing oil prices is also driving the demand for frac sand. The supply of frac sand from the source to well pad to meet the increasing demand poses many challenges in the logistic industry. Besides safety, profitability is also the main concern.

The transport vehicle supplying frac sand from the terminal to the well pad returns empty. The empty backhaul is not economically viable.

Thus, considering the increasing demand for frac sand and shrinking profits, a desire is there for an apparatus and method that can help to meet the demand and also increase profits in the transportation of the frac sand.

Hereinafter the term “terminal” connotes a point of departure of the transport vehicle and it can be a quarry or other sources of frac sand.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to an apparatus and method for transportation of frac sand.

It is another object of the present invention that the apparatus can be used to backhaul frac liquids and/or drill cuttings.

It is still another object of the present invention that the apparatus provides for better returns in the transportation of frac sand.

It is still another object of the present invention that the apparatus provides for the safe transportation of frac sand.

In one aspect disclosed is a logistics apparatus for transporting frac sand, frac liquid, and/or drill cuttings between a terminal and a well pad. The apparatus includes a container having a top wall, a bottom wall, a left wall, a right wall, a front wall, and a rear wall defining the volume of the container. The top is having two inlet ports secured by two watertight covers and one liquid outlet. The bottom is configured as a hopper, the opening of which is secured by 24 inches railcar gate.

The container is secured in a cage-like structure having a top frame, a bottom frame, and walls extending between the top frame and the bottom frame. Both the top frame and the bottom frame having forklift pockets. Also, iso corners can be provided in the top and bottom frames.

In one aspect, the container in the first position in which the railcar gate is at the bottom can be used to store and transport frac sand. The container can be inverted to a second position in which the railcar gate is at the top, can be used for storing and transporting frac liquid and/or drill cuttings.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and the summary will become readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, which shows a front side of the apparatus that can be used to store and transport the frac sand, frac liquid, and/or drill cuttings to a well pad. The apparatus100includes a container110of a cuboidal shape. The container can be enclosed in a cage120for protection. The cage can be rigid and made of a durable material that can withstand the weight of the filled container and shocks during transportation. Cage120having a top frame130and a bottom frame140, and four walls sandwiched between the top frame and the bottom frame. The four walls of the frame can be made of cross-lats that provide support to the container and do not significantly increase its weight. Both the top frame130and the bottom frame140can have forklift pockets, such as the apparatus can be lifted and transported by a forklift crane.FIG. 1shows the top frame130having two spaced-apart fork-lift pockets150and the bottom frame140having the two forklift pockets150. The presence of the forklift pockets in both the upper member and the lower member allows the lifting of the apparatus by the forklift crane in both the normal stare and an inverted state. The apparatus can also be inverted by the forklift crane or any similar machine.FIG. 2shows apparatus100in the inverted state. In the first state, as shown inFIG. 1, apparatus100can be used to store and transport frac sand, while in the inverted position, as shown inFIG. 2, the apparatus can be used to transport the frac liquid and/or drill cuttings. Frame120can also include iso-corners160, such as twelve iso-corners. The top frame130can also include stacking pins170, such as four stacking pins.

Inside the cage can be seen the container110also of a cuboidal shape.FIG. 3shows an outline view of the front side of container110having four sidewalls, a top wall, and a bottom wall defining an inner volume of the container. The top wall can have two inlet ports180which can be secured by watertight covers190. Through these two inlet ports180can be poured frac sand into container110. The bottom of the container can be configured in the shape of a hopper200. The hopper can have an opening through which the frac sand contained in the container can be dispensed. The opening of the hopper200can be secured by a railcar gate210, the functioning of the railcar gate is known to a skilled person. The sand stored in the container can flow under gravity through the opening of the hopper. The top of the container can also have a liquid outlet220for frac liquid. Also, the container can have an air intake valve230shown inFIGS. 1 and 2.

To transport frac sand from the terminal to the well pad, the apparatus100can be loaded on a transport vehicle. Thereafter, frac sand can be filled in the container through the inlet ports180in the top wall of the container. It is obvious that the railcar gate is closed while filling and transporting the frac sand. Once filled the water-tight covers190can be secured to the inlet apertures180, and the apparatus containing the frac sand can be transported to the well pad. At the well pad the container can be emptied by opening the railcar gate210. The empty apparatus can be inverted, as shown inFIG. 2, and mounted on the transport vehicle in the inverted position. Frac liquids or drill cuttings can then be filled into the container for transport to a destined site which can be the terminal or recycling site.