Abstract: A filtration apparatus for treating a fluid comprises a vessel, a first partition plate dividing the vessel into first and second chambers and defining a through hole, and a filtration module located within the second chamber and including a body section defining an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of the through hole in the first partition plate. The apparatus further comprises a reducing connector having a first end secured to the body section of the filtration module and a second end sealed relative to the through hole in the first partition plate to permit communication between the filtration module and the first chamber. In a disclosed embodiment the apparatus includes a second partition plate such that the vessel is divided into first, second and third chambers, wherein the filtration module is mounted between the partition plates.

Abstract: A filtration apparatus (10) for treating a fluid comprises a vessel (12), a first partition plate (18) dividing the vessel into first and second chambers (22, 26) and defining a through hole (40), and a filtration module (30) located within the second chamber (26) and including a body section (32) defining an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of the through hole (40) in the first partition plate (18). The apparatus (10) further comprises a reducing connector (36) having a first end secured to the body section (32) of the filtration module (30) and a second end sealed relative to the through hole (40) in the first partition plate (18) to permit communication between the filtration module (30) and the first chamber (22). In a disclosed embodiment the apparatus (10) includes a second partition plate (20) such that the vessel is divided into first, second and third chambers (22, 24, 26), wherein the filtration module (30) is mounted between the partition plates (18, 20).

Abstract: A filtration apparatus (10) for treating a fluid comprises a vessel (12), a first partition plate (18) dividing the vessel into first and second chambers (22, 26) and defining a through hole (40), and a filtration module (30) located within the second chamber (26) and including a body section (32) defining an outer diameter which is greater than the diameter of the through hole (40) in the first partition plate (18). The apparatus (10) further comprises a reducing connector (36) having a first end secured to the body section (32) of the filtration module (30) and a second end sealed relative to the through hole (40) in the first partition plate (18) to permit communication between the filtration module (30) and the first chamber (22). In a disclosed embodiment the apparatus (10) includes a second partition plate (20) such that the vessel is divided into first, second and third chambers (22, 24, 26), wherein the filtration module (30) is mounted between the partition plates (18, 20).

Abstract: A fluid treatment system comprises a fluid treatment module having a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A pump is provided to establish a first pressure differential between the fluid inlet and one of the first and second fluid outlets of the fluid treatment module, and an eductor is provided to establish a second pressure differential between the fluid inlet and the other of the first and second fluid outlets of the fluid treatment module. The pump is adapted to deliver a motive fluid to the eductor.

Abstract: A filtering device comprises a vessel for containing filtering media such as nutshells. Associated with the filtering device is an eductor for scrubbing and cleaning the media and removing contaminants such as oil from the media. The eductor includes an inlet port for receiving a motive liquid. Further, the eductor includes an inlet port for receiving media held in the vessel. In operation, a motive liquid is directed into the eductor and this induces media in the vessel into the eductor. By continuously directing motive liquid from an external source into the eductor, this results in the media being fluidized and circulated and recirculated through the eductor, giving rise to a slurry that contains liquid, the media and removed contaminants. A portion of the slurry is discharged from the filtering device while the media is retained in the filtering device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system (100) for the cleaning of sand, originating from subterranean oil production and comprises separation of sand from adhering oil out of a sand/oil/water slurry. The sand is cleaned through treatment in a hydrocyclone (13) through rubbing against themselves and the walls of the hydrocyclone. The hydrocyclone discharges the larger/heavier particles into a vessel (1), wherein the vessel has a discharge port (3) for the sand. A fluid extractor (34) is provided between the hydrocyclone (13) and the discharge port of the vessel (1), for extracting fluid from the vessel (1) to permit an increased flow rate of sand into the vessel. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning sand and a method of increasing the flow rate of sand through a hydrocyclone cleaning system as described above.

Abstract: A filtering device comprises a vessel for containing filtering media such as nutshells. Associated with the filtering device is an eductor for scrubbing and cleaning the media and removing contaminants such as oil from the media. The eductor includes an inlet port for receiving a motive liquid. Further, the eductor includes an inlet port for receiving media held in the vessel. In operation, a motive liquid is directed into the eductor and this induces media in the vessel into the eductor. By continuously directing motive liquid from an external source into the eductor, this results in the media being fluidized and circulated and recirculated through the eductor, giving rise to a slurry that contains liquid, the media and removed contaminants. A portion of the slurry is discharged from the filtering device while the media is retained in the filtering device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning system for hydrocyclone sand cleaning comprising a hydrocyclone for receiving a slurry containing sand to be cleaned and a vessel for receiving sand exiting the hydrocyclone, wherein the vessel has an discharge port for the sand. A fluid extractor is provided between the hydrocyclone and the discharge port, for extracting fluid from the vessel to permit an increased flow rate of sand into the vessel. The invention also relates to a method of cleaning sand and a method of increasing the flow rate of sand through a hydrocyclone cleaning system such as that described above.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system comprises a fluid treatment module having a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A pump is provided to establish a first pressure differential between the fluid inlet and one of the first and second fluid outlets of the fluid treatment module, and an eductor is provided to establish a second pressure differential between the fluid inlet and the other of the first and second fluid outlets of the fluid treatment module. The pump is adapted to deliver a motive fluid to the eductor.

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: 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: Eductor apparatus is provided for introducing gas bubbles into a contaminated liquid in a gas flotation cell, the apparatus comprising a clean liquid inlet port, the inlet port having an outlet end (104) through which the clean liquid is ejected in a first direction, a gas inlet chamber adjacent to the outlet end of the inlet port for introducing gas to the liquid from a gas inlet port, the gas inlet chamber substantially surrounding the flow of liquid when the apparatus is in use, and a gas/liquid mixing and diffusing section wherein gas is entrained within the liquid prior to being ejected from the eductor apparatus into the contaminated liquid, the gas/liquid mixing and diffusing section having a direction of fluid flow substantially transverse to the first direction such that the fluid exits from the gas/liquid mixing and diffusing section substantially radially outwardly relative to the first direction.