Abstract: A cyclone separator for use with a well is disclosed. The cyclone separator includes a cyclone housing defining an internal chamber. A cyclone is at least partially positioned within the internal chamber and is configured to separate a mixed fluid. The cyclone separator further includes a first outlet connected to the cyclone housing, through which a substantial portion of solids from the mixed fluid may exit. The cyclone separator also includes a second outlet connected to the cyclone housing, through which a substantial portion of fluids from the mixed fluid may exit. Additionally, the cyclone separator includes an adjustable inlet assembly positioned between the cyclone and the well. The adjustable inlet assembly is selectively configurable between at least a first inlet configuration and a second inlet configuration for controlling fluid flow from the well into the cyclone based on one or more flow conditions from the well.

Abstract: A cyclone separator for use with a well is disclosed. The cyclone separator includes a cyclone housing defining an internal chamber. A cyclone is at least partially positioned within the internal chamber and is configured to separate a mixed fluid. The cyclone separator further includes a first outlet connected to the cyclone housing, through which a substantial portion of solids from the mixed fluid may exit. The cyclone separator also includes a second outlet connected to the cyclone housing, through which a substantial portion of fluids from the mixed fluid may exit. Additionally, the cyclone separator includes an adjustable inlet assembly positioned between the cyclone and the well. The adjustable inlet assembly is selectively configurable between at least a first inlet configuration and a second inlet configuration for controlling fluid flow from the well into the cyclone based on one or more flow conditions from the well.

Abstract: An adjustable inlet assembly for a separator includes a nozzle positioned in an inlet of a cyclone housing. The adjustable inlet assembly also includes an inlet housing coupled to the cyclone housing and sealing therewith around the inlet. The adjustable inlet assembly also includes a movable rod disposed at least partially in the inlet housing. The movable rod is configured to move between a first position in which the movable rod at least partially obstructs fluid flow in the nozzle, and a second position in which the movable rod does not obstruct fluid flow in the nozzle.

Abstract: A sand separator and method of manufacturing a sand separator, of which the sand separator includes an insert defining a vortical flow chamber therein. The insert comprises a cylindrical portion and a conical portion, and the insert is made at least partially from a ceramic material. The separator also includes an inlet extending through the insert in the cylindrical portion and configured to introduce a sand-laden fluid into the vortical flow chamber, a first outlet extending through vertically upward from the cylindrical portion and configured to receive a fluid portion of the sand-laden fluid from the vortical flow chamber, and a second outlet extending vertically downward from the conical portion and configured to receive a sand portion of the sand-laden fluid from the vortical flow chamber.

Abstract: A sand quantification system includes a box configured to be positioned over a tank. The box includes an openable bottom configured, such that, when the bottom is open, contents within the box are dumped into the tank. The box also includes a filter configured to allow liquid to drain out of the box without opening the bottom. The system also includes a load cell configured to measure a weight of the box and the contents therein without measuring a weight of the tank.

Abstract: A cyclone sand separator includes a cyclone body having an inlet, a fluid outlet, and a solids outlet. The inlet is configured to receive a mixed fluid including a solids portion and a fluids portion. The solids outlet is configured to receive the solids portion separated from the fluids portion. The fluid outlet is configured to receive the fluids portion separated from the solids portion. The cyclone sand separator also includes a plurality of inlet inserts having different geometries. The inlet inserts are each configured to be positioned at least partially in the inlet. The inlet inserts are rigid and configured to be fixed in place at least partially in the inlet, such that the inlet inserts do not move with respect to the inlet. The cyclone sand separator also includes a flange configured to be coupled to the selected inlet insert.

Abstract: A sand quantification system includes a box configured to be positioned over a tank. The box includes an openable bottom configured, such that, when the bottom is open, contents within the box are dumped into the tank. The box also includes a filter configured to allow liquid to drain out of the box without opening the bottom. The system also includes a load cell configured to measure a weight of the box and the contents therein without measuring a weight of the tank.

Abstract: A mixed fluid collection apparatus includes a collection vessel configured to contain a fluid comprising a first component and a second component. The collection vessel includes an outer shell within which the fluid is contained. An emitter is coupled to an outside of the outer shell at a first position, and is configured to emit an acoustic signal into the outer shell. A receiver is coupled to the outside of the outer shell at a second position, with the receiver being configured to detect the acoustic signal emitted by the emitter. A controller is coupled to the emitter and the receiver. The controller is configured to determine a time between when the acoustic signal is emitted and when the acoustic signal is detected, and the controller is configured to determine a level of the second component in the collection vessel based on the time.

Abstract: A locking system has a lock cylinder rotatable within a lock housing and a side bar movable relative to channels within the lock cylinder and lock housing between locked and released conditions of the lock cylinder. An idler block within the lock cylinder has a key channel receiving a key therein so that the key and idler block rotate together relative to the lock cylinder. Annular detainer discs are received between the idler block and the lock cylinder, each having an outer gate channel and an inner key bit such that keyed surfaces of the key engage the key bits when rotated to align the gate channels with the side bar and enable the release of the side bar to unlock the cylinder relative to the housing. A stationary shield may be fixed relative to the housing, about which the idler block rotates to restrict access to the detainer discs.

Abstract: A cyclone sand separator includes a cyclone body having an inlet, a fluid outlet, and a solids outlet. The inlet is configured to receive a mixed fluid including a solids portion and a fluids portion. The solids outlet is configured to receive the solids portion separated from the fluids portion. The fluid outlet is configured to receive the fluids portion separated from the solids portion. The cyclone sand separator also includes a plurality of inlet inserts having different geometries. The inlet inserts are each configured to be positioned at least partially in the inlet. The inlet inserts are rigid and configured to be fixed in place at least partially in the inlet, such that the inlet inserts do not move with respect to the inlet. The cyclone sand separator also includes a flange configured to be coupled to the selected inlet insert.

Abstract: A locking system uses a lock housing, a lock cylinder for rotation in the lock housing, pins to control the lock cylinder being in unlocked or locked states relative to the lock housing, and a key to control the position of the pins. The system further includes a slider or lock bar within the lock housing. The slider moves relative to the lock cylinder and the lock housing between (i) a cylinder locking position blocking rotation of the lock cylinder relative to the lock housing so as to isolate the pins from the torque applied to the lock cylinder while allowing the pins to be displaced between the locked and unlocked positions thereof and (ii) a pin locking position of the slider in which the pins are resisted from movement relative to the lock housing and the lock cylinder while rotation of the lock cylinder is uninhibited by the slider.

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: A cyclone sand separator kit, method, and separator, of which the kit includes a cyclone body having an inlet, a fluid outlet, and a solids outlet, the inlet being configured to receive a mixed fluid including a solid portion and a fluidic portion, the solids outlet being configured to receive the solid portion separated from the fluidic portion, and the fluid outlet being configured to receive the fluidic portion separated from the solids portion. The kit includes a plurality of cyclone inserts configured to be positioned in the cyclone body, at least partially between the inlet and the solids outlet and at least partially between the fluids outlet and the solids outlet. The cyclone inserts each define a vortical section configured to induce inertial separation of the mixed fluid, have different geometries including different inner diameters, lengths, angles, underflow outlet sizes, vortex finder placements, or a combination thereof.

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 adjustable inlet assembly for a separator includes a nozzle positioned in an inlet of a cyclone housing, an inlet housing coupled to the cyclone housing and sealing therewith around the inlet, and a movable rod disposed at least partially in the inlet housing. The movable rod is configured to move between a first position in which the movable rod at least partially obstructs fluid flow in the nozzle, and a second position in which the movable rod does not obstruct fluid flow in the nozzle.

Abstract: A locking system has a lock housing having first pin slots, a lock cylinder having second pin slots and being supported within the lock housing such that rotation of the lock cylinder is dependent upon a position of tumbler pins within the pin slots, and an idler block defining a keyway to receive a deviated key in which the idler block is rotatable relative to the lock cylinder between an entry position and a pin position aligning the key with the pin slots. One or more translating shields in the idler block are movable from an open position in which the keyway is unobstructed by the shield to allow for insertion or removal of the deviated key and a closed position in which the translating shield protrudes at least partway into a path of the keyway without interfering with rotation of the deviated key with the idler block.

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: A sand separator and method of manufacturing a sand separator, of which the sand separator includes an insert defining a vortical flow chamber therein. The insert comprises a cylindrical portion and a conical portion, and the insert is made at least partially from a ceramic material. The separator also includes an inlet extending through the insert in the cylindrical portion and configured to introduce a sand-laden fluid into the vortical flow chamber, a first outlet extending through vertically upward from the cylindrical portion and configured to receive a fluid portion of the sand-laden fluid from the vortical flow chamber, and a second outlet extending vertically downward from the conical portion and configured to receive a sand portion of the sand-laden fluid from the vortical flow chamber.