The present invention relates to the use of a storage and transfer device to unload granular material from a bottom exit of a tractor trailer bed into a surge hopper, through a transfer device and into a high velocity air stream used to convey the material into a designated silo. Certain embodiments mount the components of the storage and transfer device on a trailer, wherein the transfer device includes a surge hopper, a transfer device, a blower, and a transfer pipe.

A material (e.g., proppant) handling system includes a storage container, a mechanical conveyor system, and a pneumatic conveyor system. The mechanical conveyor system is configured to convey material from an unloading station to a conveyor system discharge and into an inlet of the storage container (e.g., at an elevation that is higher than the unloading station). The pneumatic delivery system is configured to deliver material from the storage container to an off-system destination (e.g., a silo or the like), pneumatically. In a typical implementation, the storage container, the mechanical conveyor system, and the pneumatic conveyor system are all on, or connected to, or supported by one common chassis.

A bag for the storage and transport of a pulverulent product, such as agri-food, mineral, chemical or pharmaceutical powders and like powdery materials, the bag including a bottom part, a sidewall, and an upper part joined together to form a storage volume, wherein the upper part is provided with a filler inlet configured to allow the pulverulent product to be introduced inside the storage volume during a filling operation. The bag further includes lifting straps, and at least one integral elongated section made of an air-permeable material extending inside the storage volume and including an outlet accessible from the outside of the bag, the elongated section acting as an integrated filter member configured to allow insertion of an elongated air-extraction member of an air-extraction system inside the elongated section so as to extract air directly from inside the storage volume of the bag during the filling operation.

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.

An apparatus for moving proppant from a container has a frame with a surface for suitable for receiving a container thereon, a hopper affixed to the frame, and a conveyor having a surface positioned below the hopper. The hopper has an opening at or adjacent to a lower end thereof. The hopper is suitable for receiving proppant from the container. The surface of the conveyor is suitable for receiving the proppant a discharged through the opening of the hopper. A receptacle is translatably positioned at the surface of the frame. A metering gate is translatably positioned adjacent to the opening of the hopper.

An apparatus for moving proppant from a container has a frame with a surface for suitable for receiving a container thereon, a hopper affixed to the frame, and a conveyor having a surface positioned below the hopper. The hopper has an opening at or adjacent to a lower end thereof. The hopper is suitable for receiving proppant from the container. The surface of the conveyor is suitable for receiving the proppant a discharged through the opening of the hopper. A receptacle is translatably positioned at the surface of the frame. A metering gate is translatably positioned adjacent to the opening of the hopper.

A proppant discharge system includes a container having an outlet formed at a bottom thereof, a gate affixed at the outlet and positioned on the floor of the container so as to be movable between a first position covering the outlet to a second position opening the outlet, a support structure having the container positioned on the top surface thereof. The support structure has at least one actuator affixed thereto. The actuator is positioned so as to move the gate between the first position and the second position. The container has a cage affixed on the floor thereof in a position over the outlet. The gate is positioned within the cage and is movable by the actuator so as to open the gate so as to allow proppant to be discharged therefrom.

A hydrocarbon fluid storage structure has a storage vessel containing hydrocarbon fluids therein and a containment vessel fully surrounding the storage vessel so as to provide secondary containment to the storage vessel. A heater is surrounded by heat exchanger fluid within a heat exchanger vessel within the storage vessel. The exterior of the containment vessel is insulated. The heat exchanger fluid is passively circulated within a closed loop path defined by the heat exchanger vessel. Connecting valves providing external access to the contents of the storage vessel are received within a valve housing in heat exchanging relation with a containment space between the containment vessel and the storage vessel.

A pneumatic conveyor is operable to convey fine material and includes a pressure vessel and a pneumatic injection port. The pressure vessel presents a chamber operable to receive fine material and to be selectively pressurized with air to pressurize and convey the fine material. The pressure vessel includes an inclined wall that extends upwardly relative to an outlet, with fine material in the chamber being collected by the inclined wall and urged toward the outlet. The injection port fluidly communicates with the chamber, with the injection port located adjacent the outlet to inject compressed air into the flow of pressurized fine material.

The invention relates to a device for conveying a fine-particle medium, in particular a granulate, including a flexible receptacle for receiving the medium, a receiving fixture for fastening of the receptacle in the region of an upper end facing away from a base of the receptacle, and a suction apparatus, inserted from above into the receptacle, for sucking the medium out of the receptacle. The device further includes outside the receptacle, in its base region or its lateral region, an apparatus for acting on the receptacle for the purpose of its deformation. The device ensures that feed interruptions during the conveyance of the fine-particle medium are avoided so that the medium is kept in a conveyable state, whereby an undisturbed automated feed of the medium is secured.