A solid colorant dispensing unit for dispensing charges of solid spherical colorant particles in a time-controlled way, the dispensing unit having a supply container having a nozzle for dispensing the particles having a number average particle size and a number particle size distribution, wherein a ratio of the standard deviation of the number particle size distribution to the number average particle size of the particles is less than 25%. The nozzle having a dispensing outlet having a diameter taking into account the number average particle size of the particles. The dispensing unit having a control assembly for controlling the dispensing of the charges of the particles by taking into account the properties of the particles and the diameter of the outlet of the nozzle. A tinting machine having the solid colorant dispensing unit.

A solid colorant dispensing unit for dispensing charges of solid spherical colorant particles in a time-controlled way, the dispensing unit having a supply container having a nozzle for dispensing the particles having a number average particle size and a number particle size distribution, wherein a ratio of the standard deviation of the number particle size distribution to the number average particle size of the particles is less than 25%. The nozzle having a dispensing outlet having a diameter taking into account the number average particle size of the particles. The dispensing unit having a control assembly for controlling the dispensing of the charges of the particles by taking into account the properties of the particles and the diameter of the outlet of the nozzle. A tinting machine having the solid colorant dispensing unit.

A ballast water treatment system includes: a chemical agent container for containing a chemical agent for a ballast water treatment; a chemical liquid preparation tank having a tank main body for containing the chemical agent supplied from the chemical agent container and water for dissolving the chemical agent, and a mixture part for mixing the chemical agent with the water in the tank main body; a chemical liquid storage tank for storing the chemical liquid obtained by dissolving the chemical agent in the water in the chemical liquid preparation tank; and a chemical liquid supply part for supplying the chemical liquid stored in the chemical liquid storage tank into ballast water.

A powder blender for a system for continuous processing of powder products comprises a horizontal blending tube extending along an axis from a first end to a second end. The horizontal blending tube comprises at least one inlet configured to receive the powder products to be blended, and at least one outlet configured to discharge the powder products after blending. At least two blending devices are positioned in the blending tube and arranged successively along the axis of the blending tube. At least two actuators, wherein each of the at least two actuators is configured to operate one of the at least two blending devices such that the at least two blending devices are actuated differently from each other.

A solid colorant dispensing unit for dispensing charges of solid spherical colorant particles in a time-controlled way, the dispensing unit having a supply container having a nozzle for dispensing the particles having a number average particle size and a number particle size distribution, wherein a ratio of the standard deviation of the number particle size distribution to the number average particle size of the particles is less than 25%. The nozzle having a dispensing outlet having a diameter taking into account the number average particle size of the particles. The dispensing unit having a control assembly for controlling the dispensing of the charges of the particles by taking into account the properties of the particles and the diameter of the outlet of the nozzle. A tinting machine having the solid colorant dispensing unit.

A distribution and leveling system for a particulate material storage compartment includes an auger configured to be disposed within the particulate material storage compartment. The auger is configured to move particulate material across the particulate material storage compartment via rotation of the auger about a first rotational axis. The distribution and leveling system also includes an agitator positioned below the auger. The agitator is configured to agitate the particulate material via rotation of the agitator about a second rotational axis. In addition, the first rotational axis is substantially parallel to the second rotational axis, rotation of the auger and rotation of the agitator are independently controllable, and the first rotational axis and the second rotational axis are substantially aligned with one another along a longitudinal axis of the particulate material storage compartment.

A particulate material sensing and agitation control system of an agricultural system includes an agitator configured to induce movement of particulate material through the agricultural system, a drive system coupled to the agitator, and a sensing system configured to determine a current flowing through the drive system. The drive system is configured to move the agitator, and the drive system is powered via an electrical circuit. The sensing system includes a first input coupled to a first point on the electrical circuit, the sensing system includes a second input coupled to a second point on the electrical circuit, the sensing system is configured to determine a voltage differential between the first point and the second point, and the sensing system is configured to determine current flowing through the electrical circuit based on the voltage differential.

In at least one embodiment, a system for electric-motor driven transportation mechanism for fracturing operations is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system includes at least one transportation mechanism to transport blender components for a blender fluid from a first tub that may be a proppant hopper to a second tub that may be a blender tub and that may be associated with a fracturing blender; an electric motor and a control unit associated with the at least one transportation mechanism; and at least one variable frequency drive (VFD) associated with the electric motors for real time control of a speed associated with the at least one transportation mechanism.

Mixing devices and associated methods are described herein. Various embodiments of mixing devices can comprise a plate configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of enclosures coupled to the plate. The enclosures can each include (a) at least one sidewall that defines an oblique angle with the plate and (b) a chamber configured to receive a media and a fluid. The enclosures can be fluidly coupled to a fluid source for receiving the fluid in the chambers. When the plate is rotated, the enclosures revolve about the longitudinal axis to mix the media with the fluid in the chambers.

Embodiments of the present invention include a method and system for controlling the flow rate of materials into and out of the blender. The system includes the control and management of an on-site storage system for each component of a mixture, regulating the delivery rate of a blend mixture into a blender hopper, regulating the exit rate of the blended mixture from the blender hopper, and coordinating the flow of materials into and out of the blender.