A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, systems and methods for passively reducing or preventing dust formation in a particulate handling system are provided. In some embodiments, the handling system includes a silo for holding bulk material used to form a well fracturing treatment fluid. The silo may include a chute to deposit a portion of the bulk material from the silo into a blender and a cyclone mounted to the silo to separate dust from a pneumatic air flow and to release a substantially clean air into the atmosphere. In other embodiments, the handling system may include a horizontally oriented cyclone assembly mounted to a blender storage tank, cyclone assembly including a horizontally oriented cyclone separator to separate dust from a pneumatic airflow and a dust collection container to receive the dust and output the dust into the storage tank.

The invention relates to an apparatus (2) for mixing powdery baking ingredients with water. The apparatus (2) comprises a mixing chamber (4) which is inclined at a gradient and is preferably vertical, which has in an upper head region (6) at least one opening (8) for powdery baking ingredients falling into the mixing chamber (4) and in which there is arranged at least one nozzle (10) from which water (12) is ejected at a pressure of at least 30 bar from at least one nozzle opening (14). The nozzle opening (14) is directed at a mechanical obstruction (16) within the mixing chamber (4). Water (12) spraying out of the nozzle opening (14), together with the supplied baking ingredients, impacts the obstruction (16) in an impact region (20). Below the mixing chamber (4) there is arranged a container (24) which is provided with a cover (22) and which is connected, in a dough-conveying manner, to a discharge opening (26) of the mixing chamber (4). The apparatus has a suction device (32) for baking ingredient dust from the container (24), which has a suction opening (34) on the container (24), an inlet opening (36) into the mixing chamber (4) and a recycling duct (38) that connects the suction opening (34) to the inlet opening (36). Thus, the suction opening (34) is arranged in the head region (40) of the container (24) and the inlet opening (36) is arranged above the impact region (20) in the mixing chamber (4).

A material wetting system for wetting a powder material includes a liquid supply system, a material mixing unit, a material supply system, and a shroud assembly. The liquid supply system includes a supply line. The material mixing unit is in fluid communication with the supply line and includes a central cavity having an open upper end configured to receive a supply of powder material. The material mixing unit is configured to receive liquid from the supply line and is operatively connected to a reduced pressure source to draw air into the central cavity. The material supply system includes an orifice and is configured to feed powder material through the orifice, with the orifice disposed above the central cavity of the material mixing unit. The shroud assembly is disposed about the open upper end of the central cavity of the material mixing unit and the orifice of the material supply system.

A method and system are provided for preparing micro-ingredient feed additives for use in designated feed rations. A micro-ingredient system of the invention includes a plurality of bins that store designated micro-ingredients therein. A master controller of the delivery system provides signals to control system components based on programmed commands corresponding to micro-ingredient batches to be prepared. Slide gate mechanisms are used to prevent loss of micro-ingredients delivered to a receiving receptacle of the system. During delivery of the micro-ingredients to the receptacle and during processing, the micro-ingredients can become airborne and subsequently lost. The slide gate mechanisms also provide controlled access to the receiving receptacle to prevent system errors such as contamination of ingredients in the receptacle, or improper batching of a prescribed micro-ingredient mixture to be delivered to a designated feed ration.

A powder transfer bag includes a balloon or a membrane sealing its mouth. A connector to be used with the bags allows the bag to connect to a hydration device. A method of hydrating material in a powder transfer bag is provided.

A system for capturing airborne particles from a mixing apparatus for mixing mineral based building materials, particularly such materials containing a silica based material, wherein there is a hood assembly attachable to a mixing apparatus and positionable such that airborne particles generated in loading the mixing apparatus are drawn into the hood, the hood being operatively connectable to a vacuum/filtration apparatus.

Methods for handling bulk material in a manner that reduces dust, noise, and emissions are provided. The presently disclosed techniques use portable containers to transfer bulk material from a transportation unit to a blender inlet. The containers may be carried to the location on the transportation unit, where a hoisting mechanism is used to remove the container from the transportation unit and place it in a desired location. When bulk material is needed at the blender inlet, the hoisting mechanism may position the container of bulk material onto an elevated support structure. Once on the support structure, the container may be opened to release bulk material to a gravity feed outlet, which routes the bulk material from the container directly into the blender inlet. The disclosed containerized bulk material transfer system and method allows for reduced dust, noise, and emissions on location.

The present invention is a dust abatement device that secures over a container. Powdery material, such as plaster, cement, grout or the like, is poured through the device, and mixed with water inside the container. The device has a mounting sleeve and radial manifold. The manifold forms a radial pneumatic channel with a circumferentially disbursed air intake that generates a radially uniform airflow to draw in airborne dust that would otherwise escape to the surrounding air. The manifold is connected to a vacuum with an air filter, and generates a dust shield zone above and around the device, which only extends down from the manifold a few inches. The manifold also funnels material and water into the container, and forms an inner eave that spaces material and water from the air intake, and forms a splash guard to retain upwardly projected splashes of material and water inside the container.

A system for preparing a dry process material includes a sealed container that holds and seals the dry process material therein and prevents airborne dust or particles from the dry process material from escaping the sealed container. Sealed processing equipment receives the dry process material from the sealed container and prevents the airborne dust or particles from escaping the sealed processing equipment. A sealed connection sealingly couples the sealed container to the sealed processing equipment and prevents the airborne dust or particles from escaping while transferring the dry process material. A sealed transfer conduit is sealingly coupled to and extends from the sealed processing equipment.