A tank and closure cap apparatus is disclosed. The tank has an upper end or top with a manhole like larger diameter opening that can be closed with a lid having a smaller diameter opening equipped with an outlet fitting. A specially configured shroud protectively covers the lid clamp and is secured with a closure cap that seals the outlet fitting.

A subsea tank element comprises at least one tank section (1), the tank section(s) forming a cylindrical concrete-tank (2) closed at its opposite ends by two end caps (12). The tank element further comprises a rectangular structure (3, 4, 5) surrounding the cylindrical tank (2), and a connection (150, 160) between the rectangular structure (3, 4, 5) and the cylindrical tank (2) permitting a motion of the wall of the cylindrical tank (2) within predetermined limits for deflection of the rectangular structure (3, 4, 5). Permanent ballast (6, 7) and a ballast tank (8) control buoyancy and ensure static stability. Post tensioning cables through channels 9 tie the parts into a tank element, and the tank elements into a system. Several applications, including a subsea barge, a subsea hydro-electric plant and a hovering storage tank assembly are disclosed.

A subsea tank element comprises at least one tank section (1), the tank section(s) forming a cylindrical concrete-tank (2) closed at its opposite ends by two end caps (12). The tank element further comprises a rectangular structure (3, 4, 5) surrounding the cylindrical tank (2), and a connection (150, 160) between the rectangular structure (3, 4, 5) and the cylindrical tank (2) permitting a motion of the wall of the cylindrical tank (2) within predetermined limits for deflection of the rectangular structure (3, 4, 5). Permanent ballast (6, 7) and a ballast tank (8) control buoyancy and ensure static stability. Post tensioning cables through channels 9 tie the parts into a tank element, and the tank elements into a system. Several applications, including a subsea barge, a subsea hydro-electric plant and a hovering storage tank assembly are disclosed.

A stackable container system configured to carry material includes at least one container having a first end and a second end, a holding area for the material, the holding area extending from the first end to the second end, a first opening at the second end, the material controllably releasable from the holding area through the first opening, and a chute that passes through the holding area, the chute extending from the first end to the second end, a first end of the chute including a receiving portion having a larger area than a combined area of the first opening and a second end of the chute.

A stackable container system configured to carry material includes at least one container having a first end and a second end, a holding area for the material, the holding area extending from the first end to the second end, a first opening at the second end, the material controllably releasable from the holding area through the first opening, and a chute that passes through the holding area, the chute extending from the first end to the second end, a first end of the chute including a receiving portion having a larger area than a combined area of the first opening and a second end of the chute.

<Problem> It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing hopper that inhibits the occurrence of the problem that articles end up getting stuck inside the timing hopper and are not normally discharged. <Solution> A timing hopper 9 includes a first member 91, a second member 92, and a gate 9a. The first member 91 has a first opening 91a to which articles A are input. The second member 92 has a second opening 92a from which the articles A are discharged. The gate 9a opens and closes the second opening 92a. The first member 91 has a first side wall 91b and a second side wall 91c. The second side wall 91c opposes the first side wall 91b. The second member 92 has a third side wall 92b and a fourth side wall 92c. The third side wall 92b is continuously connected to the first side wall 91b. The fourth side wall 92c opposes the third side wall 92b and is continuously connected to the second side wall 91c. The height position where the first side wall 91b and the third side wall 92b are interconnected is different from the height position where the second side wall 91c and the fourth side wall 92c are interconnected.

<Problem> It is an object of the present invention to provide a timing hopper that inhibits the occurrence of the problem that articles end up getting stuck inside the timing hopper and are not normally discharged. <Solution> A timing hopper 9 includes a first member 91, a second member 92, and a gate 9a. The first member 91 has a first opening 91a to which articles A are input. The second member 92 has a second opening 92a from which the articles A are discharged. The gate 9a opens and closes the second opening 92a. The first member 91 has a first side wall 91b and a second side wall 91c. The second side wall 91c opposes the first side wall 91b. The second member 92 has a third side wall 92b and a fourth side wall 92c. The third side wall 92b is continuously connected to the first side wall 91b. The fourth side wall 92c opposes the third side wall 92b and is continuously connected to the second side wall 91c. The height position where the first side wall 91b and the third side wall 92b are interconnected is different from the height position where the second side wall 91c and the fourth side wall 92c are interconnected.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

The present invention proposes a relief module comprising a tubular body (10) for the passage of bulk material, at least a lateral opening (12) in the tubular body (10), a window (20) to cover the respective lateral opening (12), the window (20) operating in a closed position preventing the bulk material from exiting through the lateral opening (12) or in an open position allowing the material to exit through the lateral opening (12), the window (20) having at least one portion made of filtering material allowing the air to pass through and retain solid particles, when the window (20) is in the closed position. The present invention also proposes a bulk material discharge device which receives the bulk material from a feeding system and discharges the bulk material to a destination, the discharge device comprising a relief module configured according to the invention.