Embodiments of methods and systems of transferring proppant for fracking to reduce risk of production and release of silica dust at a well site are provided. An embodiment of a method can include positioning a plurality of containers each having proppant for fracking contained therein onto a conveyor at a well site, downwardly discharging proppant from each respective container of the plurality of containers, funneling proppant from the one or more outlets of each of the plurality of containers through a plurality of conveyor hoppers, receiving proppant onto the conveyor belt, conveying proppant on the conveyor to a chute, and depositing the proppant into the chute for use in a blender or other location at the well site.

The present invention discloses a container, comprising a container body and a lid, the container body comprises a base and side plates, the lid is provided with a first hanging-against structure, the side plate is provided with a second hanging-against structure cooperating with the first hanging-against structure, the first hanging-against structure and the second hanging-against structure are separatable to achieve hanging-against and removal of the lid, the lid is slidable above the container body whereby the first hanging-against structure and the second hanging-against structure are brought close to or away from each other, wherein the first hanging-against structure is slidable along the lid for a certain distance so that the position of the center of gravity of the lid changes relative to the first hanging-against structure. The present invention can realize the multi-directional hanging function of the lid and the container, with novel and reliable structure, simple and convenient operation, solid and durable.

A material transport system and method having a frame with a plurality of upright frame members, upper lateral frame members, central lateral frame members, and lower lateral frame members. In one aspect, removable sidewalls can be affixed to the frame. In other aspects, the removable sidewalls have a density that is less than the density of the frame members. In other aspects, a modular container can be disposed in the frame. The frame can be constructed from a material having a lower density than the materials used for the frame.

A container or pod is specially constructed for hauling proppant in support of oilfield hydraulic fracturing operations. Dimensions are provided that comport with common dimensions in use for transportation of intermodal containers, with the containers being sized so as not to require special permitting from a regulatory standpoint when two such containers are loaded on a single trailer. A method of filling the containers is also provided, which include inverting the container to fill from a bottom gate that also serves as the discharge opening when the filled container is rotated back into an upright position.

A proppant discharge system has a container with an outlet formed at a bottom thereof and a gate slidably affixed at the outlet so as to be movable between a first position covering the outlet to a second position opening the outlet, and a support structure having an actuator thereon. The container is removably positioned on the top surface of the support structure. The actuator is engageable with gate so as to move the gate from the first position to the second position. A conveyor underlies the container so as to receive proppant as discharged from the container through the outlet. The container is a ten foot ISO container.

An apparatus for the transport and storage of proppant has a container with a top wall, a pair of end walls and a pair of side walls. The pair of side walls extend between the pair of end walls. The container has a bottom discharge opening. The container includes a funnel extending from the pair of side walls and from the pair of and walls toward the bottom discharge opening. The funnel has sides extending in an angle of greater than 25 with respect to horizontal. The funnel includes a pair of side plates extending respectively from the pair of side walls toward the bottom discharge opening and a pair of end plates extending respectively from the pair of end walls toward the bottom discharge opening. Each of the side plates and the end plates is formed of a stainless steel material.

A system including devices and methods for transporting or storing materials uses slidable containers, or modules. The modules have recessed wheels that facilitate sliding movement when placed on tracks. The use of tracks allows for precise placement of the modules in close proximity to each other and the walls of a vessel or facility they are placed in. The modules may be disassembled for easy, compact storage or transport. The modules may be used with a lift platform adapted to accommodate the modules and tracks or rails for engaging the recessed wheels. By using closely aligned tracks, the transport module may be used to maximize efficient use of space when transporting cargo.

Embodiments of methods and systems of transferring proppant for fracking to reduce risk of production and release of silica dust at a well site are provided. An embodiment of a method can include positioning a plurality of containers each having proppant for fracking contained therein onto a conveyor at a well site, downwardly discharging proppant from each respective container of the plurality of containers, funneling proppant from the one or more outlets of each of the plurality of containers through a plurality of conveyor hoppers, receiving proppant onto the conveyor belt, conveying proppant on the conveyor to a chute, and depositing the proppant into the chute for use in a blender or other location at the well site.

A bulk material shipping container including a pallet, a compartment configured to receive, hold, and release materials and connected to and supported by the pallet, a material unloading assembly positioned under a bottom portion of the compartment, configured to facilitate the release or unloading of materials from the compartment, and connected to and supported by the pallet, and a material loading assembly configured to facilitate the loading of material into the compartment and connected to and partially supported by a top wall assembly of the compartment.

A bulk material shipping container unloader having an expandable supporter, a pallet receiver supported by the extendable supporter, a material director supported by the pallet receiver, and a bulk material container gate mover supported by the pallet receiver.