US frac sand producers look to logistics to control bottom line

• Autores: Bruce McMichael
• Localización: Industrial Minerals, ISSN 0019-8544, Nº. 564, 2014 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Septiembre)
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Such unit trains will move about 25% of sand sent to oil and gas users this year, a five-fold surge from 2013, and the share could rise to 50% in the future, according to US Silica. "The sand travels in covered hoppers also used for cement. They're shorter than grain cars because the product is heavier," explains US Silica's [Bryan Shinn].

    As a sealed container, the Transprop AGG unit reduces wind-blown debris while eliminating the need for supersacks and bags. Double Crown says the Transprop AGG system reduces the time and ways by which minerals are first ground, and then loaded into 23 tonne containers. Each intermodal rail car can accommodate four Transprop AGG containers and each container can hold up to 23 tonnes of aggregate products (92 tonnes per intermodal rail car). By simplifying the handling process, costs are cut and opportunities for cross-contamination are reduced.

    Transprop AGG cars can be loaded and discharged without breaking seals, unlike the more traditional rail cars. Transprop AGG is a tri-chambered, pass through interlock, gravity fed, vacuum/pressure style aggregate transport system. Cargo capacity will be up to 25 tonnes per unit and four units will fit onto a standard flatbed rail car for a total of 100 tonnes of aggregate cargo per car. This design will allow each interlocking Transprop AGG unit to be filled from top through bottom without the need for removing individual units from rail cars. Because of the tri-chambered design, each unit will also be able to carry up to three different types of cargo, such as, 20/40, 30/50 and 40/70 product.