Systems for controlling silica dust during hydraulic fracturing operations

Abstract

A system for controlling dust during hydraulic fracturing operations includes a manifold having a plurality of ports for capturing dust when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold. A support frame positions the manifold above a piece of hydraulic fracturing equipment receiving sand from a sand source.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling dust during hydraulic fracturing operations comprising:
 a manifold having at least one port for capturing dust when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold;   a support frame including a plurality of spaced-apart support frame members positioning the manifold above a piece of frac sand handling equipment that is configured to receive frac sand from an external frac sand source, the piece of frac sand handling equipment comprising one of a conveyor, a bin of a hydraulic fracturing blender, or a tub of a hydraulic fracturing blender;   wherein each support frame member of the support frame includes an upper section connected between a pair of spaced-apart vertical portions, the pair of vertical portions being adapted to straddle the piece of frac sand handing equipment, and wherein a lower end of each respective vertical portion is connected to, and supported by, a respective individual base configured to rest on the ground, wherein each respective individual base is directly connected to the lower end of the respective vertical portion and is not directly connected to any other individual base, any other vertical portion, or any other support frame member of the support frame;   wherein each respective vertical portion is directly connected to the respective individual base and the respective upper section, and is not directly connected to any other individual base, any other vertical portion or any other support frame member of the support frame; and wherein the individual bases, vertical portions and upper section are unconnected to the piece of frac sand handling equipment;   wherein the support frame further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal members directly connected between the upper sections of adjacent support frame members and unconnected to the piece of frac sand handling equipment, the plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal members being the only portions of the support frame longitudinally connecting adjacent support frame members; and   a cover supported by the support frame for enclosing the piece of frac sand handling equipment and an air inlet connected to the at least one port of the manifold, the cover including at least one aperture for receiving sand from the external frac sand source.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each respective individual base is configured to have an enlarged cross-sectional area relative to the respective vertical portion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein each individual base is configured as a cylinder. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one port of the manifold further comprises a conduit extending from the manifold to the air inlet of the at least one port. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the conduit extending from the manifold is flexible for positioning the air inlet adjacent the piece of frac sand handling equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the manifold is positioned outside the support frame and outside the cover, and wherein the cover includes a second aperture for passing the conduit therethrough from the manifold on the outside of the cover to the air inlet enclosed by the cover. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the manifold is positioned inside the support frame and enclosed within the cover. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the manifold is positioned to be outside the cover and a second portion of the manifold is positioned to be enclosed by the cover. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a remote conduit extending from the manifold to a remote source of dust for capturing dust from the remote source when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold, wherein the remote source of dust is not enclosed by the cover. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the remote source of dust is one a frac sand storage container, a frac sand transportation trailer or a frac sand lifting conveyor system. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one port further comprises an air flow control mechanism for controlling air flow through the port. 
     
     
         12 . A system for controlling dust during hydraulic fracturing operations comprising:
 a support structure including a plurality of spaced-apart support frame members;   a manifold having a plurality of ports positioned by the support structure above a piece of frac sand handling equipment receiving frac sand from a frac sand source, the piece of frac sand handling equipment comprising one of a conveyor, a bin of a hydraulic fracturing blender, or a tub of a hydraulic fracturing blender;   wherein each support frame member of the support structure includes an upper section connected between a pair of spaced-apart vertical legs, the pair of legs being adapted to straddle the piece of frac sand handing equipment, and wherein a lower end of each respective leg is connected to, and supported by, a respective individual base configured to rest on the ground, wherein each respective individual base is directly connected to the lower end of the respective leg and is not directly connected to any other individual base, any other leg, or any other support frame member of the support structure, wherein each respective leg is directly connected to the respective individual base and the respective upper section and is not directly connected to any other individual base, any other leg or any other support frame member of the support structure, and wherein the individual bases, legs and upper section are unconnected to the piece of frac sand handling equipment;   wherein the support structure further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal members directly connected between the upper sections of adjacent support frame members and unconnected to the piece of frac sand handling equipment, the plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal members being the only portions of the support structure longitudinally connecting adjacent support frame members; and   an enclosure supported by the support structure and enclosing at least a portion of the piece of frac sand handling equipment, wherein each port of the manifold is coupled to a conduit extending through a space within the enclosure towards the piece of frac sand handling equipment and having an inlet for capturing dust contained within the enclosure when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold, wherein the enclosure includes a sidewall with at least one aperture therethrough for receiving the frac sand from the frac sand source external to the enclosure.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the manifold is disposed within the enclosure. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the manifold is suspended from the support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the manifold is disposed outside of the enclosure and at least one of the plurality of conduits extends through a wall of the enclosure such that the inlet of the at least one of the plurality of conduits is disposed within the enclosure. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the manifold is positioned along a top portion of the support structure. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the manifold is positioned along a side portion of the support structure. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the external frac sand source comprises a trailer having a trailer conveyor, an end of the trailer conveyor extending through the sidewall of the enclosure to discharge frac sand to the frac sand handling equipment. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the external frac sand source comprises a silo having a chute, an end of the chute extending through the sidewall of the enclosure to discharge frac sand to the frac sand handling equipment. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a remote conduit extending from the manifold to a remote source of dust for capturing dust from the remote source when negative air pressure is applied to the manifold, wherein the remote source of dust is not enclosed by the enclosure.