Fluid removal system for a blowdown vessel

A method comprising:

• receiving a multi-phase process fluid from a well;
• separating the multi-phase process fluid into a solids and a fluid;
• directing a first portion of the fluid to a fluid outlet;
• feeding the solids and a second portion of the fluid to a blowdown vessel;
• draining at least some of the second portion of the fluid from the blowdown vessel while preventing the solids from draining therewith, wherein draining the at least some of the second portion of the fluid from the blowdown vessel comprises causing the at least some of the second portion of the fluid to flow through an inlet screen and into a collection chamber that is downstream from the blowdown vessel, wherein the inlet screen substantially prevents the solids from flowing therethrough and into the collection chamber, and wherein the inlet screen is positioned within the blowdown vessel;
• determining a sand production rate from the well based on a weight, volume, or both of the solids in the blowdown vessel;
• and
• draining the solids from within the blowdown vessel, wherein a frequency at which the blowdown vessel is to be drained is determined based at least partially upon an amount of the solids separated from the multi-phase process fluid.

A solids separation system, comprising:

• a separator configured to separate a multi-phase process fluid into a solids and a fluid;
• a blowdown vessel coupled to the separator, wherein the blowdown vessel is configured to receive the solids and a portion of the fluid from the separator;
• a fluid removal assembly coupled to the blowdown vessel, wherein the fluid removal assembly is configured to drain at least some of the fluid in the blowdown vessel therefrom, substantially without removing the solids from the blowdown vessel, wherein the fluid removal assembly comprises:
• an inlet screen positioned proximal to a bottom of the blowdown vessel, wherein the inlet screen is configured to prevent the solids from draining therethrough;
• and
• a collection chamber in fluid communication with the inlet screen and downstream from the blowdown vessel, wherein the fluid flows through the inlet screen and into the collection chamber, and wherein the inlet screen prevents the solids from flowing therethrough and into the collection chamber;
• a blowdown drain coupled to the blowdown vessel and configured to evacuate the solids therefrom, wherein a frequency at which the blowdown vessel is to be drained is determined based upon an amount of the solids produced from a well, an amount of the solids separated from the multi-phase process fluid in the separator, and an amount of the solids blown-down to the blowdown vessel;
• and
• a recycle line extending between the collection chamber and the separator, wherein the recycle line is configured to recycle the at least some of the fluid drained into the collection chamber back into the separator.