# US 11,028,682 B1 · Eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,682 B1 - Document ID: US11028682B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 15/342,188 - Filed: 2016-11-03 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-03 - Assignees: The University of Tulsa - Applicants: The University of Tulsa - Inventors: Hong-Quan Zhang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028682B1 ## CPC - E21B 43/38: in the well - E21B 17/18: Pipes provided with plural fluid passages {(E21B17/203 takes precedence)} - E21B 34/08: responsive to flow or pressure of the fluid obtained (E21B34/10 takes precedence) - E21B 43/128: {Adaptation of pump systems with down-hole electric drives} - E21B 33/12: Packers; Plugs (used for cementing E21B33/134, E21B33/16) - E21B 2200/04: Ball valves - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus for separation of gas from liquid in a downhole well. The separator apparatus includes an outer tube having an inner diameter and an inner tube having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube. The inner tube is eccentric to the outer tube wherein a conduit having a crescent shaped cross-section is formed between the inner diameter of the outer tube and the outer diameter of the inner tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus suspended from equipment installed downhole in a casing in a downhole well, for separation of gas from liquid in said downhole well, the apparatus comprising: an outer tube having a length and having an inner diameter; a packer between said casing and said outer tube creating a fluid tight seal; an inner tube having a length and having an outer diameter smaller than said inner diameter of said outer tube, said inner tube within and eccentric from said outer tube throughout the lengths of said inner tube and said outer tube, wherein said inner tube is set against an inner wall of said outer tube and wherein an axis of said inner tube is parallel to an axis of said outer tube, and wherein a conduit having a crescent shaped cross-section is formed between said inner diameter of said outer tube and said outer diameter of said inner tube. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a bottom of said inner tube is open to the downhole well and a top of the said inner tube passes through a wall of said outer tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein a plurality of openings are provided through said wall of said outer tube near a bottom. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a bottom of said conduit having a crescent shaped cross-section is sealed from said well. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a cross-sectional area of said inner tube is larger than an area of said conduit having a crescent shaped cross-section. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a top of the said outer tube is adapted for connection to an inlet of a pump. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator set forth in claim 6 wherein said top of said outer tube is connected to a motor shroud. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a bottom of said inner tube is open to said well. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inner tube has a top and an opposed bottom and wherein said bottom of said inner tube is connected to a ball valve having a ball in a cage and wherein said cage permits vertical movement of said ball. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein an opening is provided near said bottom of said outer tube to connect an inside of said inner tube and the outside of the said outer tube. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein, during shut-in condition, the ball in the ball valve cage falls to a lower position, creating an opening at the bottom of the said inner tube for sand particles to sink through said opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein a top of said inner tube is connected to an inlet of a pump. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein a bottom of said crescent-shaped conduit is open to said well.