There is disclosed a dry bulk hopper system that includes a generally frustoconical bottle and a base having a tapered wall that defines a cradle for holding the bottle. The bottle has locking tabs disposed at bottom end thereof that cooperate with engagement ledges to secure the bottle to the base when the bottle has been received into the base in a first orientation, but not in a second orientation. Extruded support columns are disposed inside an interior of the base to distribute loads created by material in the bottle when the system is raised by a forklift.

There is disclosed a dry bulk hopper system that includes a generally frustoconical bottle and a base having a tapered wall that defines a cradle for holding the bottle. The bottle has locking tabs disposed at bottom end thereof that cooperate with engagement ledges to secure the bottle to the base when the bottle has been received into the base in a first orientation, but not in a second orientation. Extruded support columns are disposed inside an interior of the base to distribute loads created by material in the bottle when the system is raised by a forklift.

A proppant container facilitates the transportation of wet sand for use in a hydraulic fracturing operation. The proppant container is provided with a system for dislodging the wet sand for subsequent use. This may be done by use of a vibrator or an umbrella valve. In another aspect, the proppant container may be used in combination with a rack having a wash system that slurries the proppant for delivery to a blender tub without necessarily resorting to use of a conveyor belt.

A bulk material transport system includes one or more bulk material transport bins, weighing platforms, and vehicles arranged in various combinations as bulk material transporters, assemblies, and units. The system is useful for coupling with a bulk material container, forming a reduced pressure region at an inlet of the transport bin, and dispensing bulk material into the transport bin through the reduced pressure region.

A bulk material discharging system includes a transmission station including a transmitting vessel having a transmitting vessel inlet configured to receive bulk material from an outlet of a bulk material transporter, and a transmitting vessel outlet to transmit bulk material therefrom. The system also includes a transporter handling station located operatively upstream of the transmission station and including at least a portion of a transporter handler including at least one carriage with transporter couplings configured to engage corresponding carriage couplings of the bulk material transporter and configured to convey the bulk material transporter over the transmitting vessel.

A fleet refueling silo tank system gravity feeds fuel through hoses to fleet units without requiring pressurizing pumps. Specialized valves at the fleet unit fuel tanks prevent vapor escape and admit fuel at low, gravity fed pressures. The cylindrical silo tank includes an upper, gravity feed dispensing chamber and a lower reservoir chamber. A fuel pump doubles as means for moving fuel from the reservoir chamber to the dispensing chamber and for refilling the reservoir from fuel delivery trucks. Onboard telemetry transmits fuel consumption and flow rates wirelessly to a control center where operators monitor safety parameters in real time. Stored data may be analyzed to calculate fleet unit maintenance and service intervals. A tractor trailer hauls the silo tank horizontally on roads and highways and includes a gantry and hydraulic lifts to erect the silo tank into vertical operating position supported by a built-in platform.

A fleet refueling silo tank system gravity feeds fuel through hoses to fleet units without requiring pressurizing pumps. Specialized valves at the fleet unit fuel tanks prevent vapor escape and admit fuel at low, gravity fed pressures. The cylindrical silo tank includes an upper, gravity feed dispensing chamber and a lower reservoir chamber. A fuel pump doubles as means for moving fuel from the reservoir chamber to the dispensing chamber and for refilling the reservoir from fuel delivery trucks. Onboard telemetry transmits fuel consumption and flow rates wirelessly to a control center where operators monitor safety parameters in real time. Stored data may be analyzed to calculate fleet unit maintenance and service intervals. A tractor trailer hauls the silo tank horizontally on roads and highways and includes a gantry and hydraulic lifts to erect the silo tank into vertical operating position supported by a built-in platform.

A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feedport height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.

A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feedport height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.

A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system, The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.