Method and apparatus for raising a floating roof included in a storage tank whereby a first and a first opposite force are applied between a floor in the storage tank and an internal surface of the floating roof. An additional set of forces are also provided and are constrained according to the first and first opposite force, not only in magnitude, but in position. By constraining these forces to be applied orthogonally to the floating roof, horizontal shear forces can be resisted thus reducing the likelihood of failure of a cribbing unit. By increasing these forces, the roof is raised.

Method and apparatus for raising a floating roof included in a storage tank whereby a first and a first opposite force are applied between a floor in the storage tank and an internal surface of the floating roof. An additional set of forces are also provided and are constrained according to the first and first opposite force, not only in magnitude, but in position. By constraining these forces to be applied orthogonally to the floating roof, horizontal shear forces can be resisted thus reducing the likelihood of failure of a cribbing unit. By increasing these forces, the roof is raised.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, 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.

In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, 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.

A fluid coupling includes a body, a poppet valve assembly, a handle shaft assembly, and a retention member. The body has a fluid conduit, a through-hole extending through a sidewall, and one or more openings that extend between an external surface of the body and an interior of the through hole. The poppet valve assembly is disposed within the fluid conduit and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The handle shaft assembly extends through the through-hole and into the fluid conduit and is interconnected with the poppet valve assembly such that the handle shaft assembly can be actuated to move the poppet valve assembly between the open position and the closed position. The retention member is insertable through the one or more openings and into the through-hole to interact with the handle shaft assembly to selectively hold the handle shaft assembly in the body.

A fluid coupling includes a body, a poppet valve assembly, a handle shaft assembly, and a retention member. The body has a fluid conduit, a through-hole extending through a sidewall, and one or more openings that extend between an external surface of the body and an interior of the through hole. The poppet valve assembly is disposed within the fluid conduit and is selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The handle shaft assembly extends through the through-hole and into the fluid conduit and is interconnected with the poppet valve assembly such that the handle shaft assembly can be actuated to move the poppet valve assembly between the open position and the closed position. The retention member is insertable through the one or more openings and into the through-hole to interact with the handle shaft assembly to selectively hold the handle shaft assembly in the body.

An unloader for a shipping container includes a supporter having a frame structure and a pallet base supported by the frame structure and configured to receive the pallet and support the shipping container in an elevated position. A gate moving mechanism is supported by the pallet base and configured to engage the moveable gate assembly when the full shipping container is positioned onto the pallet base. A material director has a first end located beneath the pallet base subjacent of the gate moving mechanism. The material director extends downwardly from the pallet base and terminates at a second end opposite the first end. Bulk material is dispensed from the shipping container into the first end and is discharged from the second end of the material director. Shipping containers may be positioned onto and removed from the pallet base without disassembly of the unloader.

An unloader for a shipping container includes a supporter having a frame structure and a pallet base supported by the frame structure and configured to receive the pallet and support the shipping container in an elevated position. A gate moving mechanism is supported by the pallet base and configured to engage the moveable gate assembly when the full shipping container is positioned onto the pallet base. A material director has a first end located beneath the pallet base subjacent of the gate moving mechanism. The material director extends downwardly from the pallet base and terminates at a second end opposite the first end. Bulk material is dispensed from the shipping container into the first end and is discharged from the second end of the material director. Shipping containers may be positioned onto and removed from the pallet base without disassembly of the unloader.

A container is constructed to carry granular material from a quarry or source to the frac site. An open frame the size of a standard cargo container is constructed. An enclosed hopper is formed using flat sheet metal with bolted together perpendicular edges. The hopper is set within, and attached to, the frame. Top hatches provide for loading the hopper, and a lower sliding gate in a bottom opening provides for unloading the hopper. The bottom of the hopper is at an angle slightly above the angle of repose of the granular material carried therein.

A container is constructed to carry granular material from a quarry or source to the frac site. An open frame the size of a standard cargo container is constructed. An enclosed hopper is formed using flat sheet metal with bolted together perpendicular edges. The hopper is set within, and attached to, the frame. Top hatches provide for loading the hopper, and a lower sliding gate in a bottom opening provides for unloading the hopper. The bottom of the hopper is at an angle slightly above the angle of repose of the granular material carried therein.