A transportable container apparatus includes an elongate container having a central axis and a base attached to a bottom end of the container. The container and base are substantially symmetrical about the central axis and the container is oriented substantially vertically with the base resting on a ground surface when in a working position. The container having an upper container section with upper walls substantially parallel to the central axis and a lower container section with lower walls substantially parallel to the central axis. The upper container section includes a sloping hopper at a bottom thereof to direct granular material into the lower container section. A floor of the container is sloped toward an outlet port defined in a ported wall of the lower container section such that granular material stored in the container slides down the floor to the outlet port.

The present invention corresponds to materials storage devices; specifically to a specialized container for the storing of granulated raw materials and its operations support base; which has been created in response to the need of storing granulated raw materials, preferably silica meant to be used in, preferably but not limited to, petroleum wells; and which is fitted with specific modifications that facilitate both the loading and discharge of said raw materials in a shorter time lapse than that displayed by conventional technologies. The invention's preferred configuration contemplates the setting up of three containers on top of the operations support base.

A multi-blade dosing valve comprising the following elements: a valve body provided with a central opening; a plurality of shafts, each provided with a respective blade, which extend transversely to the central opening; the blades being able to close, at least partially, the central opening; a motor unit which causes the opening/closing of the blades; and vibrators to set in vibration the shafts and the blades. The multi-blade dosing valve comprises an independent vibrator for each shaft.

A multi-blade dosing valve comprising the following elements: a valve body provided with a central opening; a plurality of shafts, each provided with a respective blade, which extend transversely to the central opening; the blades being able to close, at least partially, the central opening; a motor unit which causes the opening/closing of the blades; and vibrators to set in vibration the shafts and the blades. The multi-blade dosing valve comprises an independent vibrator for each shaft.

A storage tank includes a floor, a roof, a sidewall extending between the floor and the roof, an access hatch provided on the roof and having a base, a lid pivotably coupled to the base, and a latch configured to secure the lid to the base in a closed position, and a system for remotely opening and closing the access hatch. The system includes an elongate arm having a proximal end operatively coupled to the lid, a pull cable attached to a distal end of the elongate arm and extending toward a ground adjacent the storage tank, and a latching cable attached to the latch and extending toward the ground adjacent the storage tank, wherein pulling on the latching cable when the lid is in the closed position actuates the latch to secure the lid to the base in the closed position.

A storage tank includes a floor, a roof, a sidewall extending between the floor and the roof, an access hatch provided on the roof and having a base, a lid pivotably coupled to the base, and a latch configured to secure the lid to the base in a closed position, and a system for remotely opening and closing the access hatch. The system includes an elongate arm having a proximal end operatively coupled to the lid, a pull cable attached to a distal end of the elongate arm and extending toward a ground adjacent the storage tank, and a latching cable attached to the latch and extending toward the ground adjacent the storage tank, wherein pulling on the latching cable when the lid is in the closed position actuates the latch to secure the lid to the base in the closed position.

Apparatus for delivering controlled amounts of granular resin into a conveying conduit includes a hopper for storing the resin, an air cylinder, a double-ended piston within the air cylinder, passive and active piston rods extending from opposite sides of the piston out of the ends of the cylinder, and a slide gate connected to the active piston rod, with the slide gate being positioned between a discharge opening of the hopper and an opening in the conveying conduit.

Apparatus for delivering controlled amounts of granular resin into a conveying conduit includes a hopper for storing the resin, an air cylinder, a double-ended piston within the air cylinder, passive and active piston rods extending from opposite sides of the piston out of the ends of the cylinder, and a slide gate connected to the active piston rod, with the slide gate being positioned between a discharge opening of the hopper and an opening in the conveying conduit.

A buoyant offshore structure, comprising a hull element (6a) having an inner space (10), a surface end (12) and an underwater end (14); and at least one storage tank (15a) for liquid, extending from the surface end (12) of the hull element into the inner space (10), wherein the storage tank is removable from the inner space by lifting from the hull element's surface end.

A buoyant offshore structure, comprising a hull element (6a) having an inner space (10), a surface end (12) and an underwater end (14); and at least one storage tank (15a) for liquid, extending from the surface end (12) of the hull element into the inner space (10), wherein the storage tank is removable from the inner space by lifting from the hull element's surface end.