System for removing solids from a separator and method therefor
AssigneeExpro North Sea Limited
InventorsGary Peek, Duncan Cleland, Anthony James Maclauchlan, Daniel James William Kennard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator is provided. The separator is for separating components of well fluid produced by a well. The system includes an inlet for receiving motive fluid; a nozzle configured to introduce the motive fluid to the sedimentary solids in the separator, thereby fluidizing the sedimentary solids; and an outlet configured to allow the fluidized solids to exit the separator. The motive fluid includes well fluid produced from the well. A separator, method for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, and method of removing solids from well fluid produced by a well are also provided.
Claims13
A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, the separator for separating components of a well fluid flow produced by a well, the system comprising:
- an inlet for receiving a motive fluid flow;
- a nozzle configured to introduce the motive fluid flow to the sedimentary solids in the separator, thereby fluidizing the sedimentary solids;
- and
- an outlet configured to allow the fluidized solids to exit the separator;
- a motive fluid line for introducing the motive fluid flow into the inlet, the motive fluid line connected to a well fluid line at a motive fluid line connection, the well fluid line for introducing the well fluid into the separator;
- and
- a control valve for controlling the motive fluid flow through the motive fluid line from the well fluid line, wherein the motive fluid flow comprises well fluid flow produced from the well;
- and
- wherein the control valve is disposed in-line with the well fluid line upstream of the separator and downstream of the motive fluid line connection;
- wherein the control valve is configured to be at least partially closeable to create a differential pressure between the well fluid line and the separator such that well fluid flows through the motive fluid line.
A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, the separator configured to receive a well fluid flow from a well through a well fluid line, the system comprising:
- a control valve disposed in-line with the well fluid line at a first point upstream of the separator, wherein the control valve is configured to be controlled between a first setting and a second setting, and the second setting is partially closed relative to the first setting;
- a motive fluid line in fluid communication with the well fluid line at a second point upstream of the control valve, wherein the motive fluid line is configured to receive a motive fluid flow from the well fluid in the well fluid line;
- an inlet for receiving the motive fluid flow from the motive fluid line;
- a nozzle configured to introduce the motive fluid flow to the sedimentary solids in the separator, thereby fluidizing the sedimentary solids;
- and
- an outlet configured to allow the fluidized solids to exit the separator;
- wherein the system is configured such that the motive fluid flow within the motive fluid line is controlled by controlling the control valve between the first setting and the second setting.
A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, the separator configured to receive a well fluid flow from a well through a well fluid line, the system comprising:
- a control valve disposed in-line with the well fluid line at a first point upstream of the separator, wherein the control valve is configured to be controlled between a first setting and a second setting, and the second setting is partially closed relative to the first setting;
- a motive fluid line in fluid communication with the well fluid line at a second point upstream of the control valve, wherein the motive fluid line is configured to receive a motive fluid flow from the well fluid in the well fluid line;
- and
- a fluidizing device having an inlet, a nozzle, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is disposed to receive the motive fluid flow from the motive fluid line, the nozzle is in fluid communication with a gravitational base of the separator, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the gravitational base of the separator;
- wherein the nozzle is disposed to receive the motive fluid flow from the inlet and direct the motive fluid flow into the separator in a direction opposite a gravitational vector, and the outlet is disposed to receive fluidized solids from the separator;
- and
- wherein the system is configured such that the motive fluid flow within the motive fluid line is controlled by controlling the control valve between the first setting and the second setting.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.