Systems and methods for controlling silica dust during hydraulic fracturing operations
DCFirst Claim
1. 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.
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Abstract
A method for capturing dust generated during movement of sand through a sand delivery system includes positioning an inlet at a first end of each of a plurality of conduits for collecting dust in a corresponding space surrounding a corresponding point along a conveyor. A second end of each of the plurality of conduits is coupled in fluid communication with a manifold system including at least one manifold extending generally parallel to the ground. Substantially an entire length of the conveyor, including the space corresponding to the inlet of each of the plurality of conduits, is covered with a cover for containing dust generated during movement of sand along the conveyor. Air is drawn through the manifold system and the plurality of conduits to capture dust generated during the movement of sand along the conveyor through the inlet of each of the plurality of conduits.
3 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for capturing dust generated during movement of sand through a sand delivery system, comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for capturing dust generated during movement of sand through a sand delivery system, comprising:
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positioning an inlet at a first end of each of a plurality of conduits 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 conduits in fluid communication with a 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 from a container forming a portion of the sand delivery system and providing sand to the lateral conveyor, wherein each of the plurality of conduits extends upward from the at least one manifold for positioning the corresponding inlet for collecting dust in the corresponding space along the lateral conveyor; covering substantially an entire length of the lateral conveyor including the point at which the lateral container receives sand from the container and the space corresponding to the inlet of each of the plurality of conduits with a cover for containing dust generated during movement of sand along the conveyor; and drawing air through the manifold system and the plurality of conduits to capture dust generated during the movement of sand along the conveyor through the inlet of each of the plurality of conduits. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification