System and method for solids measurement on sand separator accumulators

A method for weight measurement of solids in a flow stream, comprising:

• connecting the flow stream to an accumulator vessel whereby a variable pressure from the flow stream is contained by the accumulator vessel;
• inserting solids into a recipient mounted in the accumulator vessel;
• connecting a recipient stem between the recipient and a load cell positioned outside of the accumulator vessel;
• applying a force to the load cell through the recipient stem that comprises a weight force due to a weight of the solids in the recipient and a variable pressure force due to the variable pressure acting on the recipient stem;
• applying the variable pressure to a compensating stem to produce a compensating force;
• and
• utilizing the compensating force to more accurately determine the weight of the solids in the recipient.

A system for weight measurement of solids in a flow stream, comprising:

• an accumulator vessel connected to receive the flow stream, the accumulator vessel being constructed to be able to contain a variable pressure;
• a recipient mounted in the accumulator vessel to receive solids from the flow stream;
• a load cell positioned outside of the accumulator vessel;
• a recipient stem connected to the recipient and to the load cell so as to apply weight of the solids in the recipient to the load cell, the recipient stem being connected so that the variable pressure is applied to the recipient stem;
• and
• a compensating stem that is connected to receive the variable pressure and produce a force acting on the compensating stem.