In line, continuous proppant coating method

Abstract

A continuous process for forming a coated proppant, said process comprising the steps of: (a) washing particles, (b) drying the particles at a first predetermined temperature, (c) cooling the particles, (d) feeding the cooled particles with a second predetermined temperature lower than the first predetermined temperature to an inlet of a combined continuous mixer and conveyor unit, (e) feeding a coating composition into the combined continuous mixer and conveyor unit, (f) mixing and simultaneously conveying the particles and the coating composition for a predetermined time, (g) curing the coating composition by transfer of heat from the particles, (h) discharging the coated particles from an outlet of the combined continuous mixer and conveyor unit, wherein said process does not comprise a step of heating the particles after the drying.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.