Proppant dispensing system with metering conveyor

A proppant delivery system for hydraulic fracturing operations, comprising:

• a surge hopper;
• a blending unit including a blender tub;
• a first proppant delivery subsystem constructed and arranged to carry proppant from proppant containers where the proppant resides and discharging into the surge hopper at a first rate,
• the first proppant delivery subsystem being a conveyor belt;
• a conveyor system separate from the first proppant delivery subsystem, the conveyor system being constructed and arranged to lift proppant from within the surge hopper towards the blender tub for discharge into the blender tub at a second rate
• the conveyor system standing separate and apart from the first proppant delivery subsystem and the blending unit;
• the blender tub being operable for mixing the proppant with one or more frac fluid constituents to create a mixture and for discharging the mixture for use according to specifications for a hydraulic fracturing operation including discharge of the mixture at a third rate;
• a plurality of sensors deployed on the system at control points for use in producing signals representative of density and flow rates as needed to adjust the volume and density of the mixture discharging at the third rate;
• an electronic flow controller in communication with the plurality of sensors for receipt of the signals;
• the electronic flow controller being programmed with logic for driving the first proppant delivery subsystem and the conveyor system to synchronize at least one of the first rate and the second rate based upon requirements for meeting the third rate according to frac fluid density and flow rate specifications for an in-progress hydraulic fracturing operation.