Process frac sand more efficiently
The market for frac sand continues to boom. The mining of quartz sand, which is used in hydraulic fracturing, is a growing industry as the demand for proppants for the oil industry continues to rise.
Description
The Vulcan® Drying Systems Frac Sand Drying System is custom-designed and manufactured to suit a customer's individual project needs. Most customers have sand ranging from 5-8% in moisture content. These drying systems consist of a rotary drum dryer and a burner mounted on a breeching plate. Vulcan® Drying Systems Frac Sand Drying Systems are designed specifically to dry frac sands, making the material easy to transport, separate and handle.
Process
Frac sand is fed into the rotary dryer. After passing through the dryer, the dried product is discharged to a transfer conveyor for further sorting and separation. The vapor from the process is pulled through a baghouse which removes fine particulates from the vapor stream.
Specifications
Each Vulcan® Drying Systems Frac Sand Drying System is custom-built for the client. Systems include the following components:
- Rotary Dryer
- Slinger Conveyor
- Baghouse
- Burner
- Knockout Box
- Discharge Flap Gate
- Ductwork
- Induced Air Blower
- Controls
Materials
The Vulcan® Drying Systems Frac Sand Drying System is designed to dry sands for use in the hydraulic fracturing process in the oil and gas industry.
System Process Flow
Step 1
Moist frac sand is fed into the rotary dryer via a slinger conveyor.
Step 2
After passing through the dryer, the dried product is discharged through the knockout box to a transfer conveyor.
Step 3
The vapor from the process is drawn into a baghouse which removes fine particulates from the vapor stream.
Process Flow Diagram
About the Frac Sand Industry
For years now, specialized sands known as frac sands have been utilized to augment the production of natural gas and oil from wells. The mining and processing of sand for hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) has grown into a booming industry in the Midwest.
Frac sand is used in the fracking process to create fractures in the rock to allow the free flow of oil, natural gas or natural gas liquids. The demand for frac sand is incredibly high, as a single well can use several thousand tons of the material.
The hydraulic fracturing process begins with the drilling of a well into a rock formation. A high-pressure fracking fluid is injected into the well. This fluid, made up of water mixed with frac sand and a blend of chemicals, acts as a propping agent, or proppant. The proppant prevents the fracture from closing and permits gas to flow through the well.
To ensure that the quality of sand is acceptable, mining companies wash and dry the frac sand to rid it of all possible impurities. Rotary dryers are the most proven and preferred method to dry frac sand. Dryers can be utilized at both the beginning and the end of the fracking process. Prior to its transportation to and use at a job site, frac sand must be dried and treated. Vulcan® Drying Systems can supply a full range of equipment to dry, sort and move frac sand.
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