Systems and methods for controlling silica dust during hydraulic fracturing operations
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1. 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.
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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.
55 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A dust control system for capturing dust generated during movement of sand through a sand delivery system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A sand distribution system comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification