Abstract: Well head hydrocyclone separators are typically used for separating particulates from fluids such as gas, oil and water and mixtures thereof. Well head separators are useful to prevent wear and blocking of choke valves, rupture of piping, damage to instruments and to prevent vessels from filling with particulate materials. In the present invention, the cyclone separator assembly includes an inlet, an overflow outlet and a segmented cyclone separator tube.

Abstract: A fluidizing apparatus includes a supply duct (1) for supplying liquid under pressure to a lower portion of a vessel (11) containing a fluidizable material. The supply duct (1) extends into the vessel. The outlet end of the apparatus includes one or more jets (212) for directing the flow of liquid into the vessel (11) substantially transversely to the major axis of the supply duct (1). An outlet duct (12) for removing the fluidized material from the vessel (11) is also included.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring slurry from a vessel having a plurality of slurry collection points. The apparatus includes a manifold having a plurality of inlets in flow communication with one or more outlets and a plurality of pressure-reducing cyclones. Each cyclone is associated with a respective one of the collection points and a respective one of the manifold inlets and each cyclone has an inlet port and at least one outlet port. In use, each duct being brings a respective one of the slurry collection points of the vessel into flow communication with an inlet port of a respective one of the cyclones, and/or each duct brings an outlet port of a respective one of the cyclones into flow communication with a respective one of the inlets of the manifold.

Abstract: Sand is discharged from a vessel at an elevated pressure and is delivered at a lower pressure. The sand is subjected to the following steps before delivery: I) dilution with a dilution fluid, ii) passage through at least one pressure reducing cyclone, the dilution being such that flashing is reduced, and iii) delivery as a slurry at the delivery pressure. This results in less wear of the components.

Abstract: Apparatus for transferring slurry from a vessel having a plurality of slurry collection points. The apparatus includes a manifold having a plurality of inlets in flow communication with one or more outlets and a plurality of pressure-reducing cyclones. Each cyclone is associated with a respective one of the collection points and a respective one of the manifold inlets and each cyclone has an inlet port and at least one outlet port. In use, each duct being brings a respective one of the slurry collection points of the vessel into flow communication with an inlet port of a respective one of the cyclones, and/or each duct brings an outlet port of a respective one of the cyclones into flow communication with a respective one of the inlets of the manifold.

Abstract: A slurry of contaminated sand and water is delivered to a solid/liquid hydrocyclone (2) surmounting a pressure vessel (1). That is divided into two sections (3, 4) by a bulkhead (5) leaving a gap between the sections at the top. The partially cleaned sand from the hydrocyclone (2) is dropped into one section (3) while the water is directed to the section (4). The sand is then fluidized with clean, preferably recycled water and directed back through the hydrocyclone (2). This is repeated several times, progressively cleaning the sand. Oil removed by the process floats on the water in the section (4) and is discharged to drain (22). Provision for degassing the pressure vessel (1), discharging the fully cleaned sand, and for flushing and draining the pressure vessel is made.