Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Methods of transporting a plurality of freight containers are disclosed, including stacking one or more containers on a transportation vehicle, where one or more of the stacked containers is a vertically collapsible container in a collapsed position, where at least one of the vertically collapsible containers includes: a frame assembly including: a plurality of rectangular frame members; a plurality of articulated vertical frame members disposed between the rectangular frame members; and where the articulated vertical frame members are positioned and arranged to retract to within the frame assembly; a lifting mechanism positioned and arranged to elevate the rectangular frame members from each other; and where the lifting mechanism is disposed between the uppermost rectangular frame member of the frame assembly and the lowermost rectangular frame member of the frame assembly.

Methods of transporting a plurality of freight containers are disclosed, including stacking one or more containers on a transportation vehicle, where one or more of the stacked containers is a vertically collapsible container in a collapsed position, where at least one of the vertically collapsible containers includes: a frame assembly including: a plurality of rectangular frame members; a plurality of articulated vertical frame members disposed between the rectangular frame members; and where the articulated vertical frame members are positioned and arranged to retract to within the frame assembly; a lifting mechanism positioned and arranged to elevate the rectangular frame members from each other; and where the lifting mechanism is disposed between the uppermost rectangular frame member of the frame assembly and the lowermost rectangular frame member of the frame assembly.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and 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.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and 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.

An apparatus for storing or transporting flowable materials or other materials, such as diesel fuel, includes a container and a support. The container is supported by the support. The support sits on or is mounted across an upper part of an open top railway wagon or open top truck or truck trailer used for transporting bulk commodities (such as coal or iron ore). The apparatus is movable between an expanded configuration in which the container is expandable into a lower part of the open top railway wagon or open top truck or truck trailer used for transporting bulk commodities, and a collapsed configuration in which the container is collapsible to the support. In use, a railway wagon is filled with coal or other bulk commodities and the apparatus is placed on top of the railway wagon in the collapsed configuration. At the port, the coal is emptied from the railway wagon and the container of the apparatus is filled with fuel. The support supports the apparatus on the railway wagon and the container extends into the railway wagon. The fuel may then be transported back to the mine, where the apparatus is removed from the railway wagon and the container decanted. The railway wagon is again filled with coal or other bulk commodities and the apparatus is placed on top of the railway wagon in the collapsed configuration and the cycle continues to meet the fuel requirements of the relevant mine.

A modular portable storage container system includes a first container section and a second container section, each of the first and second container sections having a structural frame. A blocking frame is sized and shaped to fit within a vehicle cargo compartment. A latch mechanism selectively retains the structural frame of each of the first and second container sections in contact with the blocking frame. A position sensor is in communication with a position indicator. The position sensor detects a position of the first and second container sections relative to the blocking frame. The position indicator indicates a position of the first and second container sections relative to the blocking frame. A plurality of casters affixed to a bottom surface of the first and second container sections allows the first and second container sections to roll over the floor.

A modular portable storage container system includes a first container section and a second container section, each of the first and second container sections having a structural frame. A blocking frame is sized and shaped to fit within a vehicle cargo compartment. A latch mechanism selectively retains the structural frame of each of the first and second container sections in contact with the blocking frame. A position sensor is in communication with a position indicator. The position sensor detects a position of the first and second container sections relative to the blocking frame. The position indicator indicates a position of the first and second container sections relative to the blocking frame. A plurality of casters affixed to a bottom surface of the first and second container sections allows the first and second container sections to roll over the floor.