Back to results
US 8,881,749 B1Granted
Systems and methods for controlling silica dust during hydraulic fracturing operations
AssigneeSierra Dust Control, LLC
InventorKim R. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for controlling silica dust generated during the transfer of frac sand from a storage container through a conveyor system includes a system of conduits having a plurality of inlets for collecting silica dust generated at selected points along the conveyor system. An air system pneumatically coupled to the system of conduits generates a negative pressure at each of the inlets to induce the collection of silica dust at the selected points along the conveyor.
Claims16
A dust control system for capturing dust generated during movement of sand through a sand delivery system, comprising:
- a manifold system including at least one manifold laying on the ground;
- a plurality of flexible conduits in fluid communication with the manifold system, each of the plurality of conduits having a first end coupled to the at least on manifold and a second end for positioning proximate a corresponding one of a plurality of space-apart points along a longitudinal axis of a conveyor forming a portion of the sand delivery system, the second end of each flexible conduit including an inlet for capturing dust in a space proximate the corresponding point during movement of sand along the conveyor system;
- a cover extending substantially along an entire length of the conveyor and enclosing the space proximate each of the plurality of spaced-apart points along the longitudinal axis of the conveyor and the inlet of the corresponding flexible conduit;
- and
- an air system in fluid communication with the manifold system and the plurality of flexible conduits for drawing air containing dust through the inlets of the flexible conduits.
2 more elements
A sand distribution system comprising:
- a container for storing sand;
- a conveyor for moving sand from the container to a discharge point;
- a conduit system and air unit in fluid communication with conduit system for drawing air through the conduit system to capture dust through a plurality of inlets to the conduit system, the conduit system comprising:
- a manifold laying on the ground;
- at least one first flexible conduit having a corresponding one of the plurality of inlets for capturing dust within a space within the container;
- and
- a plurality of second flexible conduits coupled to the manifold and each having an inlet for capturing dust in a space proximate a corresponding one of a plurality of spaced-apart dust capture points along the conveyor;
- and
- a flexible cover having an interior space for containing the dust in the space proximate each of the dust capture points along substantially an entire length of the conveyor.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.