Apparatus and method for harnessing energy from a wellbore to perform multiple functions while reducing emissions

A separator for separating one or more of liquid, gas, sand, and debris from a fluid produced from an unrestricted wellbore, the separator comprising:

• a vessel defining an interior chamber;
• an inlet fluidly coupled with the wellbore to direct the fluid produced from the wellbore into the vessel, wherein the fluid is introduced into the vessel at a first pressure;
• an outlet to direct the gas out of the vessel at a pressure substantially equal to the first pressure;
• at least one liquid level sensor to detect a level of the liquid within the interior chamber of the vessel;
• an electronically controlled valve in fluid communication with an outlet port of the vessel;
• and
• a controller connected to the at least one liquid level sensor and the electronically controlled valve, the controller programmed to open, close, or modulate the electronically controlled valve to regulate a combined flow of the liquid, sand, and debris out of the outlet port of the vessel at least partially in response to the level of the liquid in the interior chamber of the vessel detected by the at least one liquid level sensor;
• wherein the separation of the one or more of liquid, gas, sand, and debris occurs at a pressure substantially equal to the first pressure within the interior chamber, the first pressure being an unregulated pressure of the fluid flowing from the wellbore and of at least 1,500 psig.