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US 10,702,802 B1Granted
Systems, methods, and apparatus for separating fluid mixtures
AssigneeWildcat Fluids LLC
InventorJeffery P. Weber
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques and apparatus for separating a Flowback mixture received from a wellbore. Employing a vessel or system of vessels to receive the fluid mixture and configured to manage the discharge of gases, liquids, and solids to maintain a vapor barrier in the vessel(s) to prevent unwanted release of gas to the atmosphere.
Claims20
An apparatus for separating a fluid mixture, comprising:
- a sealed vessel having a chamber to collect a fluid mixture received from a wellbore, the vessel comprising:
- at least one inlet conduit proximate a middle section of the vessel to admit the fluid mixture into the vessel;
- a liquids discharge line, comprising:
- a standpipe disposed within the vessel, the standpipe having an opening to receive and transport liquids from within the vessel to a discharge port on the vessel;
- a liquids discharge pipe exiting the vessel at the discharge port and having a curved section, wherein the standpipe and liquids discharge pipe form a P trap;
- and
- a vacuum breaker valve mounted on the liquids discharge pipe;
- a gas discharge conduit coupled to a gas discharge port proximate an upper section of the vessel;
- and
- a valve coupled to a solids discharge port, the valve configured to permit discharge of solids from within the vessel.
7 more elements
A method for separating a fluid mixture, comprising:
- collecting a fluid mixture from a wellbore within a sealed vessel having a chamber, the vessel including:
- at least one inlet conduit proximate a middle section of the vessel to admit the fluid mixture into the vessel;
- a liquids discharge line, comprising:
- a standpipe disposed within the vessel, the standpipe having an opening to receive and transport liquids from within the vessel to a discharge port on the vessel;
- a liquids discharge pipe exiting the vessel at the discharge port and having a curved section, wherein the standpipe and liquids discharge pipe form a P trap;
- and
- a vacuum breaker valve mounted on the fluid discharge pipe;
- a gas discharge conduit coupled to a gas discharge port proximate an upper section of the vessel;
- and
- a solids discharge port at the bottom of the vessel;
- discharging gas within the vessel out the gas discharge conduit;
- discharging liquids within the vessel out the liquids discharge line;
- and
- operating a valve coupled to the solids discharge port to permit discharge of solids from within the vessel.
11 more elements
A system for separating a fluid mixture, comprising:
- a plurality of vessels to collect a fluid mixture received from a wellbore;
- each vessel comprising:
- at least one inlet conduit proximate a middle section of the vessel to admit the fluid mixture into the vessel;
- a liquids discharge line, comprising:
- a standpipe disposed within the vessel, the standpipe having an opening to receive and transport liquids from within the vessel to a discharge port on the vessel;
- a liquids discharge pipe exiting the vessel at the discharge port and having a curved section, wherein the standpipe and liquids discharge pipe form a P trap;
- a vacuum breaker valve mounted on the liquids discharge pipe;
- a valve coupled to a solids discharge port, the valve configured to permit discharge of solids from within the vessel;
- and
- a gas discharge port proximate an upper section of the vessel;
- a gas discharge conduit coupled to the gas discharge port of each vessel;
- and
- a valve mechanism to selectively isolate fluid mixture flow into one or more of the vessels.
10 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.