Abstract: A sand separation system includes a separator configured to separate a multi-phase process fluid into a solids and a fluid. The system also includes a blowdown vessel coupled to the separator. The blowdown vessel is configured to receive the solids and a portion of the fluid from the separator. The system also includes a fluid removal assembly coupled to the blowdown vessel. The fluid removal assembly is configured to drain at least some of the fluid in the blowdown vessel therefrom, substantially without removing the solids from the blowdown vessel.

Abstract: An automated sand separator discharge system includes a sand separator disposed downstream of a wellhead, an inlet conduit for transporting a process stream to the sand separator, a fluid outlet conduit for transporting a liquid and gas stream from the sand separator, a sand discharge conduit for removing sand from the sand separator, first, second, and third valves disposed along the sand discharge conduit, a first transducer connected between the first and second valves and operative to measure pressure in a portion of the sand discharge conduit and to produce a pressure reading, and a control panel operatively connected to the first, second, and third valves and the first transducer, the control panel being programmed to initiate and terminate discharge of sand from the sand separator, and to determine if the first and second valves are sealing completely when closed.

Abstract: A sand separation system and method for operating a sand separation system, in which the method includes separating sand from a fluid using a separator. The method includes, signaling for a blowdown unit to blowdown the separator, opening one or more blowdown valves of the blowdown unit coupled to the separator in response to the signaling, so as to blowdown the separator, and receiving the sand from the separator into a sand disposal unit. The sand passes through the one or more blowdown valves that are opened. The method includes measuring a weight of at least some of the sand that was separated in the separator using a load cell of the separator, a load cell of the sand disposal unit, or both, and determining a blowdown interval for subsequent blowdown operations of the separator based in part on the weight of the sand.

Abstract: An automated sand separator discharge system includes a sand separator disposed downstream of a wellhead, an inlet conduit for transporting a process stream to the sand separator, a fluid outlet conduit for transporting a liquid and gas stream from the sand separator, a sand discharge conduit for removing sand from the sand separator, first, second, and third valves disposed along the sand discharge conduit, a first transducer connected between the first and second valves and operative to measure pressure in a portion of the sand discharge conduit and to produce a pressure reading, and a control panel operatively connected to the first, second, and third valves and the first transducer, the control panel being programmed to initiate and terminate discharge of sand from the sand separator, and to determine if the first and second valves are sealing completely when closed.

Abstract: A separation system and method, of which the system includes a separation device comprising a mixed fluid inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, a tank coupled to the second outlet and configured to receive a solid from the separation device via the second outlet, and a solids-level sensor extending through the tank and positioned at an elevation above a bottom of the tank. The solids-level sensor is configured to detect a viscosity of a material within the tank at the elevation.

Abstract: A sand separation system and method for operating a sand separation system, in which the method includes separating sand from a fluid using a separator. The method includes, signaling for a blowdown unit to blowdown the separator, opening one or more blowdown valves of the blowdown unit coupled to the separator in response to the signaling, so as to blowdown the separator, and receiving the sand from the separator into a sand disposal unit. The sand passes through the one or more blowdown valves that are opened. The method includes measuring a weight of at least some of the sand that was separated in the separator using a load cell of the separator, a load cell of the sand disposal unit, or both, and determining a blowdown interval for subsequent blowdown operations of the separator based in part on the weight of the sand.

Abstract: A separation system and method, of which the system includes a separation device comprising a mixed fluid inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet, a tank coupled to the second outlet and configured to receive a solid from the separation device via the second outlet, and a solids-level sensor extending through the tank and positioned at an elevation above a bottom of the tank. The solids-level sensor is configured to detect a viscosity of a material within the tank at the elevation.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from a fluid includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet. A centrifuge is disposed in the pressure vessel. The centrifuge is configured to remove a first portion of particles from the fluid. A cyclone separator is also disposed in the pressure vessel, such that the centrifuge extends around the cyclone separator. The cyclone separator includes an array of cyclones configured to remove a second portion of particles from the fluid.

Abstract: A sand separation system and method, of which the sand separation system includes a separator configured to separate a multi-phase process fluid into a solids and a fluid, a blowdown vessel coupled to the separator, wherein the blowdown vessel is configured to receive the solids and a portion of the fluid from the separator, and a fluid removal assembly coupled to the blowdown vessel. The fluid removal assembly is configured to drain at least some of the fluid in the blowdown vessel therefrom, substantially without removing the solids from the blowdown vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing particles from a fluid includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet. A centrifuge is disposed in the pressure vessel. The centrifuge is configured to remove a first portion of particles from the fluid. A cyclone separator is also disposed in the pressure vessel, such that the centrifuge extends around the cyclone separator. The cyclone separator includes an array of cyclones configured to remove a second portion of particles from the fluid.