Columnar downhole gas separator and method of use
OwnerRon Swaringininventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gas separator is provided including a tapered portion, the “bell section” and a wide portion, the “shroud.” The bell section resides on the lower end of the gas separator where it attaches to the production pipe. The shroud is substantially larger in diameter than the production pipe and allows mixed fluid and gas to enter through an open top. The gas separator is attached at the string of production pipe, so that some of the production pipe extends below the gas separator. A section of production pipe that is covered by the gas separator is perforated. Gas bubbles are removed from the mixed fluid by gravity, abrupt changes in direction, and perforations that restrict the flow area of the fluid.
Claims19
An apparatus to separate gas bubbles from a production fluid comprising:
- a bell collar having a means to concentrically attach a gas separator to a production pipe string;
- the production pipe string having a set of perforations and extending below the bell collar;
- a circular shroud having a first diameter extending above the bell collar;
- the shroud having a top opening with a second diameter;
- and, wherein
- the gas separator covers the set of perforations.
A gas separator comprising:
- a bell collar;
- the bell collar having a gas separator concentrically attached to production pipe string;
- a gas anchor located inside the production pipe string;
- the gas anchor extending below the bell collar;
- the production pipe string extending below the gas separator;
- the production pipe string being closed on the lower end;
- a shroud extending above the bell collar;
- the shroud having a top opening;
- the gas separator covering a set of perforations in the production pipe string.
A method for separating gas bubbles from a mixed fluid, composed of fluid with gas bubbles suspended therein, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of sections of production pipe having a first diameter;
- providing a gas separator with a top opening, the gas separator further comprising a bell collar and a shroud section with a top opening and a second diameter larger than the first diameter;
- providing a set of perforations in the production pipe;
- connecting the bell collar to the production pipe with the top opening facing upward;
- connecting the production pipe within the gas separator, adjacent to the set of perforations;
- lowering the production pipe and the gas separator into the mixed fluid;
- separating gas bubbles from the mixed fluid as the mixed fluid flows through the gas separator and the plurality of sections of production pipe.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.