US 5,295,537 AGranted

Sand separating, producing-well accessory

OwnerC. W. Trainerinventor

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A sand separator is used in a well from which particulate bearing liquids are extracted into tubing for transport up the tubing. The separator causes the fluid bearing particulate matter to be accelerated. This acceleration in turn causes the particulate matter to separate from the fluid because of the higher mass and greater inertia of the particulate matter. The fluid, after separation of the particulate matter, is drawn up through the pump. The particulates preferably accumulate within a sand trap which can be pulled from the well and emptied as desired. In the case wherein the particulate matter tends to float within the liquid part of the mixture, a strainer is added after the initial inertia separation of particles from the liquid. The strainer prevents the passage of particulate matter which would tend otherwise to float upward into the output port by which the liquid passes up the tube.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A sand separator for use in separating sand and other particulates from fluids being extracted from a well comprising:

tubing for raising liquids from a well;
a sand trapping casing coupled to said tubing;
means coupled to said sand trapping casing for extracting liquid therefrom for passage up said tubing;
said sand trapping casing including a high velocity orifice through which liquids are drawn from said well, said liquids and any sand and particulate matter carried by said liquids being accelerated in passing through said high velocity orifice;
whereby any said sand and particulate matter carried by said liquid is propelled into said sand trapping casing and said liquid passes up said tubing;
and
said sand trapping casing further includes means coupled therein for directing any said sand and particulate matter exiting said high speed orifice toward the bottom of said sand trapping casing, said means for directing said sand and particulate matter comprising a conic-shaped vessel open at a first end to receive said sand and particulate matter, and open at a second end to allow egress of said sand and particulate matter from said vessel.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.