Diffuser and solids collection and measurement system for use in conjunction with oil and gas wells

Abstract

A diffuser and solids collection system includes a first baffle section having an input for receiving from a petroleum well a fluid carrying solids and a first set of internal baffles for reducing a velocity of the fluid. A second baffle section in fluid communication with the first baffle section has a second set of internal baffles for further reducing the velocity of the fluid. A solids collection container separates the solids from the fluid received from the second baffle section. A weighing system, supported by the second baffle section and supporting the solids collection container, weighs the solids collected in the solids collection container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A diffuser and solids collection system comprising:
 a first baffle section having an input for receiving from a petroleum well a fluid carrying solids and a first set of internal baffles for reducing a velocity of the fluid; 
 a second baffle section in fluid communication with the first baffle section and having a second set of internal baffles for reducing the velocity of the fluid; 
 a solids collection container in fluid communication with the second baffle section for separating the solids from the fluid received from the second baffle section; and 
 a weighing system supported by the second baffle section and supporting the solids collection container for weighing the solids collected in the solids collection container. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of baffles of the first baffle section comprises a plurality of vertically spaced-apart baffles supported by sidewalls of the first baffle section. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein plurality of vertically spaced-apart baffles of the first baffle section comprise a first angled baffle extending downward from a first sidewall and a second angled baffle extending downward from a second opposing sidewall. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of vertically spaced-apart baffles of the first baffle section comprise a plurality of laterally spaced apart vertically aligned baffles extending between first and second opposing sidewalls of first baffle section. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second set of baffles of the second baffle section comprises a plurality of laterally spaced baffles extending upward from a floor of the second baffle section. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of laterally spaced baffles extending upward from a floor of the second baffle section comprise at least one baffle extending inward at an angle to a sidewall of the second baffle section. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of laterally spaced baffles extending upward from a floor of the second baffle section comprise at least one baffle disposed substantially perpendicular to a sidewall of the second baffle section. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the solids collection container comprises:
 a hinged screen forming a bottom of the solids collection container; and 
 a latching mechanism for latching the hinged screen in a closed position during the collection of the solids and releasing the hinged screen to discharge the collected solids from the solids collection container. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the weighing system comprises:
 a support structure supported by an upper surface of the second baffle section; 
 a scale supported by the support structure; and 
 a coupling mechanism coupled to the scale and extending through apertures through upper and lower walls of the second baffle section to couple with the solids collections container. 
 
     
     
       10. A solids measurement system for measuring solids discharged from a petroleum well comprising:
 a vertical baffle section having an input for receiving from a petroleum well a fluid carrying solids and a set of vertically spaced internal baffles for reducing a velocity of the fluid; 
 a horizontal baffle section having a set of horizontally spaced internal baffles for reducing the velocity of the fluid discharged from the vertical baffle section; 
 a solids collection container for separating the solids from the fluid discharged from the horizontal baffle section; and 
 a weighing system for weighing the solids collected in the solids collection container. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the solids collection container comprises:
 a hinged screen forming a bottom of the solids collection container; and 
 a latching mechanism for latching the hinged screen in a closed position during the collection of the solids and releasing the hinged screen to discharge the collected solids from the solids collection container. 
 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a filter material disposed across the hinged screen for separating the solids from the fluid. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the weighing system comprises:
 a support structure supported by an upper surface of the horizontal baffle section; 
 a scale supported by the support structure; and 
 a coupling mechanism coupled to the scale and extending through apertures through upper and lower walls of the horizontal baffle section to couple with the solids collections container. 
 
     
     
       14. The system of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a turnbuckle. 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the set of vertically spaced internal baffles of the vertical baffle section comprise at least one angled baffle extending downward from a sidewall of the vertical baffle section. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 10 , wherein the set of horizontally spaced internal baffles of the horizontal baffle section extend upward from a floor of the horizontal baffle section. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least part of the vertical baffle section is fabricated from steel. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least part of the horizontal baffle section is fabricated from steel. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least part of the solids collection container is fabricated from steel. 
     
     
       20. A method of measuring solids discharged from a petroleum well comprising:
 receiving from a petroleum well a fluid carrying solids; 
 reducing a velocity of the fluid with a vertical baffle section having a set of vertically spaced internal baffles; 
 reducing the velocity of the fluid discharged from the vertical baffle section with a horizontal baffle section having a set of horizontally spaced internal baffles; 
 separating the solids from the fluid discharged from the horizontal baffle section with a solids collection container supported by the horizontal baffle section; and 
 weighing the solids collected in the solids collection container with a weighing system supported by the horizontal baffle section.