Sand and solids bypass separator
OwnerJohn M. Raglininventor
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
A particulate separator for use with a production well producing a fluid mixture including particulate matter, the particulate separator comprising:
- an outer tube including an opening extending from an exterior of the outer tube to an interior of the outer tube, wherein the fluid mixture flows from the exterior of the outer tube to the interior of the outer tube through the opening;
- a pump intake positioned in the interior of the outer tube, wherein the fluid mixture flows from the opening to the pump intake;
- and
- a bypass tube configured to direct the particulate matter in the fluid mixture downward to below the pump intake to thereby inhibit the particulate matter in fluid mixture 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 the fluid mixture into a separator having an outer tube, the outer tube including one or more openings positioned above a pump intake positioned in the outer tube below the one or more openings, the one or more openings allowing the fluid mixture to enter the outer tube and flow toward the pump intake;
- and
- directing the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to travel downward from above the pump intake to below the pump intake and further directing the particulate matter into a bypass that has an exit below the pump intake,
- wherein the bypass inhibits the particulate matter from entering the pump intake.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.