Abstract: A downhole gas-liquid separator (10) separates a gas from liquid in a well, with the liquid being pumped to the surface. The separator includes an outer tubular housing (12) and an inner flow tube (41) for passing the liquid phase to the surface after separation. In one embodiment, a spiral gas separator (32) imparts a helical flow to assist in separation of the gas from the well fluids. Gas from the separation chamber flows upwardly through a gas riser (25) to a downcomer (28), and then downwardly through the downcomer (28) to one or more gas vents (16) in the outer tubular housing (12). The gas riser and downcomer act as a liquid trap to exclude liquids in the annulus surrounding the tool to enter through the gas vents (16).

Abstract: A downhole gas-liquid separator (10) separates a gas from liquid in a well, with the liquid being pumped to the surface. The separator includes an outer tubular housing (12) and an inner flow tube (41) for passing the liquid phase to the surface after separation. In one embodiment, a spiral gas separator (32) imparts a helical flow to assist in separation of the gas from the well fluids. Gas from the separation chamber flows upwardly through a gas riser (25) to a downcomer (28), and then downwardly through the downcomer (28) to one or more gas vents (16) in the outer tubular housing (12). The gas riser and downcomer act as a liquid trap to exclude liquids in the annulus surrounding the tool to enter through the gas vents (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for separating gas bubbles from a liquid stream, which may be a liquid hydrocarbon, includes a suction pipe on which a plurality of separator modules are supported. Each separator module includes an upwardly disposed annular opening that surrounds a portion of the suction pipe. The apparatus is disposed vertically within a well. Gas bubbles introduced into the well below the apparatus flow upwardly around the curved exterior of the module as a liquid phase is drawn radially inwardly and then downwardly into the annular opening of each module to a plurality of radially extending flow barriers within the module. The radially extending flow barriers define a plurality of flow control pathways that terminate at an aperture in the wall of the suction pipe so that a substantially gas-free liquid phase may be drawn into the suction pipe and delivered through the suction pipe to an artificial lift pump.

Abstract: A downhole separator (10) separates gas from well fluids which are pumped intermittently to the surface. The separator includes an outer tubular housing (12) and an inner flow tube (22) for passing well fluids to the surface after separation of the gas from the well fluids. A vortex flow generator or spiral gas separator (20) imparts a helical flow to effect separation of the gas from the well fluids. Gas from the gas chamber flows upward past the vortex flow generator when the pump is not pumping well fluids to the surface.

Abstract: A downhole separator (10) separates gas from well fluids which are pumped intermittently to the surface. The separator includes an outer tubular housing (12) and an inner flow tube (22) for passing well fluids to the surface after separation of the gas from the well fluids. A vortex flow generator or spiral gas separator (20) imparts a helical flow to effect separation of the gas from the well fluids. Gas from the gas chamber flows upward past the vortex flow generator when the pump is not pumping well fluids to the surface.

Abstract: The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications.

Abstract: The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications.

Abstract: The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications.

Abstract: The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications.

Abstract: An ESP/separator assembly (10) is positioned downhole in a well on a tubular string (18) to pump downhole fluids to the surface. The assembly includes an electric submersible pump (12) and an electrically powered motor (20) positioned below the pump. An electrical cable (22) extends downhole past the motor and to the pump. A generally cylindrical shroud (26) is positioned circumferentially about the pump, the motor, and a portion (24) of the cable extending past the pump and to the motor. A separator (60) is provided at the lower end of the shroud, such that the shroud supports substantially the weight of the separator.

Abstract: An ESP/separator assembly (10) is positioned downhole in a well on a tubular string (18) to pump downhole fluids to the surface. The assembly includes an electric submersible pump (12) and an electrically powered motor (20) positioned below the pump. An electrical cable (22) extends downhole past the motor and to the pump. A generally cylindrical shroud (26) is positioned circumferentially about the pump, the motor, and a portion (24) of the cable extending past the pump and to the motor. A separator (60) is provided at the lower end of the shroud, such that the shroud supports substantially the weight of the separator.

Abstract: A gardening tool extracts a weed along with a plug of soil. A plurality of blades are circumferentially spaced about an axis of a shaft and extend downwardly beyond the lower end of the shaft for insertion into soil about the roots. Each blade includes a trailing edge and a leading edge that leads the trailing edge during rotation in a selected rotational direction about the axis. An ejector body is positioned between the blades and is axially movable from an upper position to a lower position to eject soil from between the blades. An ejector control member at least substantially surrounding the shaft is axially movable by hand. A plurality of connecting members are circumferentially spaced about the shaft and connect the ejector control member to the ejector body, such that axial movement of the ejector control member causes axial movement of the ejector body.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for separating gas and solids from well fluids in a borehole including a gas-solids separator (34) having an outer tubular member (44) and an inner flow tube (46). A gas spiral housing (62) has a gas spiral (66) at its lower end positioned beneath a plurality of perforations (60) in tubular member (44). A solid spiral (70) is positioned below upper gas spiral (66) and a swirl chamber (71) is provided between gas spiral (66) and solids spiral (70). Gas separated by gas spiral (66) flows upwardly in inner gas annulus (72) to gas reservoir (74) for discharge by ball check valve (76). The solids are separated by solids spiral (70) and the clean liquid after the gas and solids have been separated flows upwardly in flow tube (46) and pipe string (14) from lower swirl chamber (80). An embodiment shown in FIG. 5 provides a shroud (27A) about a downhole motor (20A) to effect cooling of motor (20A).

Abstract: A separation device or desander (18) is positioned in a bore hole for separation of solid particles from well fluids and includes outer and inner concentric members (20 and 22) defining an annulus (30) therebetween. A spiral guide (32) is positioned in annulus (30) between the concentric tubular members (20, 22). A wear structure comprising the present invention includes a flat (38) in the outer wall (27) of the outer tubular member (20) to provide a reduced thickness wall portion thereat. Upon wear from abrasive solid particles, and opening (40) is formed at the reduced thickness cutaway portion defined by flat (38). A sleeve (46) may be mounted within the outer tubular member (20) below the inner tubular member (22).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating solid particles from well fluids in the bore hole including a separator or separation device (34) adjacent the lower end of a tubing string (14) positioned within a perforated casing (10). The separator device (34) includes concentric tubular members (44, 46) defining an annulus (60) therebetween. A spiral guide (62) is positioned in the annulus (60) about the inner tubular member (46) below perforations (54) in the outer tubular member (44) and extends about the inner tubular member (46) for around a complete turn or 360 degrees. A helical motion is imparted to the well fluids received through the perforations (54) and solid particles settle downwardly within the vortex or swirl chamber (79) below the inner tubular member (46). The liquid separated from the solid particles is pumped by a downhole pump (18) upwardly through the inner tubular member (46).

Abstract: A method for forming a terraced structure in the upper surface of a particulate solid bed, typically oil shale, moving upward through an upflow retort and removing particulate solids from the upper surface, which includes rotating a scraping means comprising a shaft having a plurality of scrapers secured thereto arranged in a vertically spaced-apart relationship and in a radially outwardly-stepped relationship relative to a vertical axis of the shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for the mixing and cooling of hot, particulate matter, such as hot, retorted oil shale, comprises a plurality of enclosed, vertically spaced apart, converging vessels through which the material to be mixed and cooled is flowed. At least the lowermost vessel is configured for a packed bed flow of the material and has mounted therein, on a vertical drive shaft, a mixer blade assembly having a plurality of similar mixing blades which are upwardly inclined at an angle, A.sub.1, of between about 30.degree. and about 75.degree. and preferably within about .+-.15.degree. of the sidewall angle of the vessels. The blades are mounted so as to have an angle of attack, A.sub.2, relative to the rotational direction of travel, of between about 20.degree. and about 60.degree.. A constant angle of attack along each mixing blade is assured by making the angle, A.sub.3, between the blade leading edge and the blade base to be related to the blade inclination and attack angles in accordance with the relationship:A.sub.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for separating solid particles from well fluids in the bore hole including a separator separation device (34) adjacent the lower end of a tubing string (14) positioned within a perforated casing (10). The separator device (34) includes concentric tubular members (44, 46) defining an annulus (60) therebetween. A spiral guide (62) is positioned in the annulus (60) about the inner tubular member (44) below perforations (54) in the outer tubular member (44) and extends about the inner tubular member (46) for around a complete turn or 360 degrees. A helical motion is imparted to the well fluids received through the perforations (54) and solid particles settle downwardly within the vortex or swirl chamber (79) below the inner tubular member (46). The liquid separated from the solid particles is pump by a downhole pump (18) upwardly through the inner tubular member (46).