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: A sand separation systems and method for operating a sand separation system, of which the method includes separating sand from a fluid using a plurality of separators. A plurality of manifold valves are each coupled to a respective one of the separators. The method includes selecting one of the separators to blowdown, signaling to one of the manifold valves coupled to the selected separator for the manifold valve to open, opening the manifold valve, signaling a blowdown unit to execute a blowdown, opening a valve of the blowdown unit in response to the signaling, receiving sand from the selected separator into a sand disposal unit through the open manifold valve and the blowdown unit, and measuring the sand using a sensor of the separator, a load cell of the sand disposal unit, or both.

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 separating system and method, of which the separating system includes a lower vessel including an inlet configured to receive a mixed fluid comprising a solid and a liquid. The lower vessel is configured to separate at least some of the solid from the liquid so as to produce a partially-separated fluid. The system also includes a first screen vessel configured to receive at least a portion of the partially-separated fluid, the first screen vessel including a first shell, and a first screen that is positioned within the first shell and at least partially removable therefrom, and a second screen vessel spatially oriented parallel to the first screen vessel and configured to receive at least a portion of the partially-separated fluid. The second screen vessel includes a second shell and a second screen that is positioned within the second shell and is at least partially removable therefrom.

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 desanding wellhead includes a wellhead device in communication with a well and configured to receive a mixed fluid produced therefrom, and a sand separation device coupled to the wellhead device. The sand separation device is configured to receive fluid from the well via the wellhead device, separate at least some solids from the fluid, and provide at least some of the fluid back to the wellhead device.

Abstract: A separator system includes a separator including an inlet configured to receive a mixed fluid, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The separator system includes a pressure tank physically coupled to the separator, and including a partition wall defining a collection chamber and a separation chamber in the pressure tank, a first inlet communicating with the collection chamber and coupled to the separator to receive at least some of the solids component from the separator, and a second inlet communicating with the separation chamber and in communication with the separator. The second inlet is configured to receive at least some of the liquid component and the gaseous component from the separator. The pressure tank also includes a first drain in communication with the collection chamber, and a first liquid outlet in communication with the separation chamber. The pressure tank includes a gas outlet in communication with the separation chamber.

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: The present disclosure relates to a device for removing particulates, such as sand, from a fluid at an oil and/or gas wellsite. In one aspect, a vessel for separating particulates from a fluid is provided. The vessel includes a body having an inlet and an outlet. The vessel also includes a first chamber and a second chamber disposed in the body. The vessel further includes a screen configured to separate particulates from the fluid. The screen is disposed in the second chamber. Additionally, the vessel includes a vessel door for inserting and removing the screen from the second chamber. In another aspect, a pressure vessel for separating particulates from a fluid is provided. In yet a further aspect, a method of separating particulates from a fluid is provided.

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 sand from a well fluid includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet. The well fluid flows into the pressure vessel through the inlet and flows out of the pressure vessel through the outlet. A screen is positioned at least partially within the pressure vessel and configured to remove the sand from the well fluid. At least a portion of the sand that is removed from the well fluid at least partially obstructs one or more openings in the screen. A cleaning assembly is positioned at least partially between the pressure vessel and the screen and configured to remove the sand that is obstructing the one or more openings in the screen during a screen-cleaning operation.

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 separator system includes a separator including an inlet configured to receive a mixed fluid, a first outlet, and a second outlet. The separator system includes a pressure tank physically coupled to the separator, and including a partition wall defining a collection chamber and a separation chamber in the pressure tank, a first inlet communicating with the collection chamber and coupled to the separator to receive at least some of the solids component from the separator, and a second inlet communicating with the separation chamber and in communication with the separator. The second inlet is configured to receive at least some of the liquid component and the gaseous component from the separator. The pressure tank also includes a first drain in communication with the collection chamber, and a first liquid outlet in communication with the separation chamber. The pressure tank includes a gas outlet in communication with the separation chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising one or more screens which in use eliminates sand and/or fluid slugs from blocking at a screen by placing at least the screen in an elevated secondary chamber, configured to prevent sand, fluid slugs and the like from accumulating around the screen.

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 assembly for adjusting a position of a vessel includes a frame for carrying the vessel, and a lifting device configured to move the frame from a horizontal position to a first vertical position by pivoting the frame, and to move the frame from the first vertical position to a second vertical position by raising the frame.

Abstract: A separating system and method, of which the separating system includes a lower vessel including an inlet configured to receive a mixed fluid comprising a solid and a liquid. The lower vessel is configured to separate at least some of the solid from the liquid so as to produce a partially-separated fluid. The system also includes a first screen vessel configured to receive at least a portion of the partially-separated fluid, the first screen vessel including a first shell, and a first screen that is positioned within the first shell and at least partially removable therefrom, and a second screen vessel spatially oriented parallel to the first screen vessel and configured to receive at least a portion of the partially-separated fluid. The second screen vessel includes a second shell and a second screen that is positioned within the second shell and is at least partially removable therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing sand from a well fluid includes a pressure vessel having an inlet and an outlet. The well fluid flows into the pressure vessel through the inlet and flows out of the pressure vessel through the outlet. A screen is positioned at least partially within the pressure vessel and configured to remove the sand from the well fluid. At least a portion of the sand that is removed from the well fluid at least partially obstructs one or more openings in the screen. A cleaning assembly is positioned at least partially between the pressure vessel and the screen and configured to remove the sand that is obstructing the one or more openings in the screen during a screen-cleaning operation.