Sand and solids bypass separator
AssigneeWellWorx Energy Solutions LLC
InventorJohn M. Raglin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. A bypass that extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake may also be included.
Claims16
A particulate separator for use with a production well producing a fluid mixture including particulate matter, the separator comprising:
- an outer conduit having one or more openings extending from an exterior surface of the outer conduit into the conduit;
- and
- an inner conduit positioned within the outer conduit, wherein the inner conduit comprises a pump intake at a bottom end of the inner conduit positioned below the one or more openings of the outer conduit, the one or more openings allowing the fluid mixture to enter the outer conduit and to flow downward toward the pump intake, wherein the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity such that the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner conduit through the pump intake;
- a bypass positioned to direct the particulate matter from the fluid mixture to a point below the pump intake to inhibit the particulate matter from entering the pump intake.
A method for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture for use with a production well, the method comprising the steps of:
- drawing a fluid mixture into a separator having an outer tube and an inner tube, the outer tube including at least one opening positioned above a pump intake at a bottom end of the inner tube, the at least one opening allowing the fluid mixture to enter a channel between the outer tube and the inner tube;
- causing the fluid mixture to flow downward toward the pump intake, wherein the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity such that the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to separate from the fluid mixture as the fluid mixture is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake;
- and
- directing the particulate matter to travel downward from above the pump intake to below the pump intake through a bypass conduit having an exit positioned below the pump intake.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.