In accordance with presently disclosed embodiments, systems and methods for using one or more pre-filled, portable containers, instead of pneumatic transfer, to move bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender receptacle of a blender are provided. A transportation unit may deliver one or more containers of bulk material to the well site, where the containers may be disposed in an elevated position around the blender receptacle. A gravity feed outlet may extend from one or more containers to route bulk material from the one or more containers directly into the blender receptacle. Since the transportation unit is able to unload the portable containers of bulk material without pneumatic transfer, the stackable containers may enable a cleaner and more efficient bulk material transfer at the site.

A powder feeder according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a powder feeding device that feeds powder from a feeder to a nozzle. The powder feeding device includes a cartridge configured to store the powder in an airtight condition, and includes the feeder. The cartridge includes a port from which the powder is stored and withdrawn, and an open/close valve for opening and closing the port. The feeder includes a connection portion to which the cartridge is removably connected, a supply port configured to supply the powder in the cartridge connected to the connection portion into the feeder, and an opening/closing valve for opening and closing the supply port. The feeder is configured to insert the powder supplied from the supply port to the feeder into the nozzle, and the cartridge and the feeder are configured to form an enclosed space between the port and the supply port in response to the cartridge being connected to the connection portion.

A supply device with which elements in disordered form, in particular connection elements as bulk elements, are suppliable to a second receiving volume. The supply device includes a first receiving container from which, via an outlet opening, a plurality of elements is deliverable to a second receiving container. The second receiving container may consist of an oscillation feeder. The oscillation energy of the oscillation feeder is specifically transmitted onto the elements, which are stored in the first receiving container. With the help of the transmitted oscillations, elements are transferred from the first receiving container via a transfer zone from the first receiving container into the second receiving container.

A supply device with which elements in disordered form, in particular connection elements as bulk elements, are suppliable to a second receiving volume. The supply device includes a first receiving container from which, via an outlet opening, a plurality of elements is deliverable to a second receiving container. The second receiving container may consist of an oscillation feeder. The oscillation energy of the oscillation feeder is specifically transmitted onto the elements, which are stored in the first receiving container. With the help of the transmitted oscillations, elements are transferred from the first receiving container via a transfer zone from the first receiving container into the second receiving container.

Systems and methods for sampling particle mixtures include use of a cantilevered arm and sample collector to extend into a particle mixture cascade or stream to capture a sample of the mixture for analysis, audit, certification, or review. Generally, the arm is rotatable about a vertical axis and extendable in a radial direction therefrom at a selectable height. The sample collector is in the form of a gimballed cup disposed at a free end of the cantilevered arm.

Systems and methods for sampling particle mixtures include use of a cantilevered arm and sample collector to extend into a particle mixture cascade or stream to capture a sample of the mixture for analysis, audit, certification, or review. Generally, the arm is rotatable about a vertical axis and extendable in a radial direction therefrom at a selectable height. The sample collector is in the form of a gimballed cup disposed at a free end of the cantilevered arm.

A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

A conveying system for conveying a conveyable material from a hopper where the system includes a fluid port located below the hopper outlet and in a vertical flow path into hopper outlet that can be momentarily opened for an on the go release of a charge of compressed air directly upward into the hopper outlet and into the underside of the bridge in the hopper to either disintegrate or unlock the bridged particles from each other thereby causing the bridged material to fall into the hopper outlet and into the conveying system where the material can be transported to a remote location or to remove any material that may be adhering to the wall during an emptying phase.

Provided is a powder supply device including a storage tank in which an internal space that stores powder and a discharge port that discharges the powder from the internal space to outside are formed, a roller that has an outer peripheral surface formed of a rough surface and is rotatably provided, in the discharge port, to face both the internal space and the outside, and a doctor blade that is provided at the discharge port and faces the outer peripheral surface of the roller. The internal space includes a first chamber into which the powder is charged and a second chamber in which the doctor blade is disposed. The first chamber communicates with the second chamber via an opening. A partition member that restricts the width of the opening is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The powder charged into the first chamber moves to the second chamber through the opening.

Provided is a powder supply device including a storage tank in which an internal space that stores powder and a discharge port that discharges the powder from the internal space to outside are formed, a roller that has an outer peripheral surface formed of a rough surface and is rotatably provided, in the discharge port, to face both the internal space and the outside, and a doctor blade that is provided at the discharge port and faces the outer peripheral surface of the roller. The internal space includes a first chamber into which the powder is charged and a second chamber in which the doctor blade is disposed. The first chamber communicates with the second chamber via an opening. A partition member that restricts the width of the opening is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The powder charged into the first chamber moves to the second chamber through the opening.