Blender Truck Sand Screws for Frac Sand and Proppant

General Description

The exploration and production of oil and gas requires the highest degree of technology. Specialized equipment is used to locate and extract these valuable resources. As part of the hydraulic fracturing operation, blender trucks mix various components such as frac sand or proppant, specialty chemicals, gels and water. The blended mixture of “fracking fluid” is injected into a wellbore to create cracks and hold them open in the deep rock formations through which natural gas and oil will flow more freely.

A multiple screw feeder with an inlet hopper is typically mounted on the back of a blender truck to accurately meter sand or proppant to the blend tank. In order for the system to operate properly, the screw feeder/hopper assembly must be manufactured to very precise tolerances.

Design Parameters

1. Product Type: Frac Sand or Proppant
2. Material Density: 50 to 60 Lbs. per Cubic Foot
3. Capacity: 18,000 Pounds per Hour
4. Duty: 24 Hours per Day, 7 Days per Week

KWS Advantages

KWS designs and manufactures equipment to the highest quality standards. As an ISO 9001-2015 certified company, every process is strictly monitored to ensure the Customer receives unmatched Service and Quality. Since the screws operate in a high-speed application, any manufacturing imperfection can result in a mechanical failure. KWS straightens every screw to within 0.015-inches Total Indicated Runout (TIR) in a special lathe prior to assembly, testing and shipment.

KWS manufactures several different designs for metering frac sand and proppant. Some units utilize a fold down, removeable hopper that is mounted on the back of the blender truck. The system transports frac sand or proppant into the blender tank where it is mixed with liquids and chemicals. The high-quality equipment provided by KWS meets the rugged demands of the oilfield.

Special Features

Frac sand and proppant must be accurately metered into the blend tank using the sand screws. Manufacturing quality is a necessity for these screws, as they rotate at speeds between 200 to 400-RPM at a 45-degree angle. KWS provides close tolerance, variable pitch screws for the application. Pitch is the measurement between the tips of each flight. Full pitch refers to a screw with a pitch dimension that is equal to the OD of the screw and half pitch is ½ of the OD of the screw. Shorter pitch screws perform better in inclined applications.

A very close tolerance between the outside diameter of the screw and the inside diameter of the housing improves metering accuracy. If the outside diameter of the screw is too large, the screw flights could contact the inside of the housing and lead to failure. If the gap is too large, sand or proppant cannot be accurately metered to the blend tank. KWS provides close tolerance screws that solve the problem.

As the industry leader in quality screw conveyor manufacturing, KWS provides screws to several OEMs in the US and Canada that design and build blender trucks and other equipment for the oil industry.