Mobile material handling and metering system

摘要

A method and system for handling granular material, such as proppant used in hydraulic fracturing in well drilling, is provided. In an operational configuration, a delivery module having conveyors receives and conveys granular material to a delivery location, and one or more mobile storage modules receive, hold and dispense granular material downward to the delivery module. The mobile storage modules comprise a raised, angular container portion for holding granular material. Each mobile storage module may comprise a rock-over chassis for support against ground. A remote control module provides centralized, remote control of the system. Mobile support unit modules may also be provided as a remotely controlled vehicle capable of providing power, control, heating, and the like to other modules. Mobile in-feed elevator modules may also be provided as a remotely controlled vehicle for feeding granular material to mobile storage modules. In a transportation configuration, each module is separately transportable.

主权项

1. A system for handling granular material, the system comprising:
a. a delivery module configured, in a delivery module operational configuration, to receive said granular material and to convey said granular material to a predetermined delivery location; b. a plurality of mobile storage modules adjacent to the delivery module, each of the plurality of mobile storage modules configured, in a mobile storage module operational configuration, to hold and dispense said granular material downward to the delivery module at a non-vertical orientation; and a remotely controllable, self-propelled mobile support unit module configured to provide power and control signals to one or more of the delivery module and the plurality of mobile storage modules, the control signals automatically or semi-automatically generated by a remote control module integrated with or operatively coupled to the mobile support unit module, the mobile support unit module further comprising an engine and a transmission system and configured for towing one or more of the delivery module and the plurality of mobile storage modules.