Systems and methods for controlling silica dust during hydraulic fracturing operations

A method for capturing dust generated during movement of sand through a sand delivery system, comprising:

• positioning an inlet at a first end of each of a plurality of flexible hoses in a position for collecting dust in a corresponding space surrounding a corresponding point along a lateral conveyor forming a portion of the sand delivery system;
• coupling a second end of each of the plurality of flexible hoses to a manifold system such that each of the plurality of flexible hoses and the manifold system are in fluid communication, the manifold system including at least one manifold extending substantially parallel to the ground along a lateral side of the lateral conveyor and at least partially below a point at which the lateral conveyor receives sand discharged from a container forming a portion of the sand delivery system and providing sand to the lateral conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of flexible hoses extends upward from the at least one manifold for positioning the corresponding inlet for collecting dust in the corresponding space surrounding the corresponding point along the lateral conveyor;
• covering substantially an entire length of the lateral conveyor including the point at which the lateral conveyor receives sand discharged from the sand container and the space corresponding to the inlet of each of the plurality of flexible hoses with a cover including at least one flexible sidewall and adapted to contain dust generated during movement of sand along the conveyor;
• and
• drawing air through the manifold system and the plurality of flexible hoses to capture dust generated during the movement of sand along the conveyor through the inlet of each of the plurality of flexible hoses.