An exemplary automated system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water to water tanks or containers during a water transfer process. In one embodiment, the automated system includes a first manifold, a plurality of controllable valves, a plurality of level indicators, a pump, controller(s), storage device, and display. In one implementation, the controller is configured to control the opening/closing of the plurality of controllable valves based, at least in part, on the water levels of the frac water tanks. The controller(s) may include one or more control modes. In other implementations, the system may include a second manifold (or additional manifolds) and the capability to blend water from two or more sources, such as from an impaired water source, using either a single or multiple-manifold configuration. In other implementations, an assembly is provided, such as a skid or trailer mounted assembly, for use in a mobile automated system.

An exemplary automated system and method are provided for monitoring and controlling the transfer of water to water tanks or containers during a water transfer process. In one embodiment, the automated system includes a first manifold, a plurality of controllable valves, a plurality of level indicators, a pump, controller(s), storage device, and display. In one implementation, the controller is configured to control the opening/closing of the plurality of controllable valves based, at least in part, on the water levels of the frac water tanks. The controller(s) may include one or more control modes. In other implementations, the system may include a second manifold (or additional manifolds) and the capability to blend water from two or more sources, such as from an impaired water source, using either a single or multiple-manifold configuration. In other implementations, an assembly is provided, such as a skid or trailer mounted assembly, for use in a mobile automated system.

Methods and systems for remotely monitoring and controlling holding tank subsystems. One system includes an electronic processor communicatively coupled to a memory. The electronic processor, through execution of the instructions stored in the memory, is configured to receive tank data associated with a first holding tank of a holding tank subsystem. The tank data indicates a material level of a material stored in the first holding tank. The electronic processor is also configured to compare the material level to a material transfer threshold. The electronic processor is also configured to, in response to the material level satisfying the material transfer threshold, control the holding tank subsystem to transfer at least a portion of the material in the first holding tank to the second holding tank as a transfer event.

A visually observable display comprising a circuit board including at least one illuminator emitting light outwardly from a surface of the board, a light transmissive display window pane operable to receive light at an inner surface and transmit the light through an outer surface, and an insert disposed between the illuminator and the display window pane. The insert comprises an elongated light distributing conduit receiving light from the at least one illuminator at a first location in a direction substantially perpendicular to the display window pane, distributing the light transversely through the light conduit along the inner surface of the display window pane, and redirecting the distributed light outwardly along an outer wall of the conduit and outwardly through the window pane. The display may include multiple light illuminators emitting light outwardly from the board surface and into the light distributing conduit at discrete locations along the conduit.

A liquid level control module comprising an elongated tubular housing immersible through a surface of a liquid and into a bulk volume of the liquid, and first, second, and third electrical switches, and first and second floats movable along the tubular housing. The first electrical switch is disposed within a lower portion of the tubular housing, the second electrical switch is disposed within an intermediate portion of the tubular housing, and the third electrical switch is disposed within an upper portion of the tubular housing. Each of the switches has an open state and a closed state. Motion of the first float relative to the first switch changes its state. Motion of the second float relative to the second switch changes its state, and motion of the second float relative to the third switch changes its state. Thus a two-float module may provide three level control signals.

A liquid level control module comprising an elongated tubular housing immersible through a surface of a liquid and into a bulk volume of the liquid, and first, second, and third electrical switches, and first and second floats movable along the tubular housing. The first electrical switch is disposed within a lower portion of the tubular housing, the second electrical switch is disposed within an intermediate portion of the tubular housing, and the third electrical switch is disposed within an upper portion of the tubular housing. Each of the switches has an open state and a closed state. Motion of the first float relative to the first switch changes its state. Motion of the second float relative to the second switch changes its state, and motion of the second float relative to the third switch changes its state. Thus a two-float module may provide three level control signals.

Described are a test device, a multi-specimen test fixture star and a multi-specimen test fixture. The test device includes a bath chamber that is automatically replenished with bath liquid throughout an extended test period. The multi-specimen test fixture star is non-circularly symmetric and can be used, for example, in a rectangular bath chamber to hold a greater number of test specimens than a circularly symmetric test fixture star. The multi-specimen test fixture includes, in part, a multi-specimen test fixture star and a shaft having one or more keyways and enables the test fixture star to be repositioned along the shaft without loss of rotational alignment to the shaft.

Described are a test device, a multi-specimen test fixture star and a multi-specimen test fixture. The test device includes a bath chamber that is automatically replenished with bath liquid throughout an extended test period. The multi-specimen test fixture star is non-circularly symmetric and can be used, for example, in a rectangular bath chamber to hold a greater number of test specimens than a circularly symmetric test fixture star. The multi-specimen test fixture includes, in part, a multi-specimen test fixture star and a shaft having one or more keyways and enables the test fixture star to be repositioned along the shaft without loss of rotational alignment to the shaft.

A method for controlling a filling process, wherein a predetermined filling quantity of a medium is filled into a container, the flow rate of the medium flowing into the container is measured as a time series of measured values for the instantaneous flow rate and a filling quantity already filled is estimated from the time series, wherein at least one current measured value of the time series is corrected on the basis of at least one earlier measured value of an earlier time series of measured values of the flow rate of an earlier filling process.

A method for controlling a filling process, wherein a predetermined filling quantity of a medium is filled into a container, the flow rate of the medium flowing into the container is measured as a time series of measured values for the instantaneous flow rate and a filling quantity already filled is estimated from the time series, wherein at least one current measured value of the time series is corrected on the basis of at least one earlier measured value of an earlier time series of measured values of the flow rate of an earlier filling process.