Method and system for solid particle removal

Abstract

Disclosed is a system and method to separate solid particle components from a fluid. It can be used in close association with a hydrocarbon producing well and uses a novel combination of mechanical filtration, solids decantation, and real and apparent forces. Disclosed is a spherical vessel with a tangential inlet to introduce the fluid and a fluid exhaust and filter arranged on the center line of the interior of the vessel. A combination of pressurized fluid and solid particles enter at the tangential inlet and move primarily in a circular path around the interior of the vessel. The circular path results in the larger mass particles settling at the vessels lower region. Less massive particles may be entrained in the exiting fluid flow toward a filter element where they are removed from the exiting fluid. The vessel has an opening to remove the trapped separated particles.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for separating solid particles from a moving fluid comprising:
 entering solid particles entrained in a moving fluid into an interior volume of a vessel through an inlet port aligned tangential to an internal surface of the interior volume thereby:
 causing at least some of the solid particles to follow an uninterrupted trajectory that spirals downward along the internal surface from the inlet port to a drain port located below the inlet port; and 
 causing at least some of the moving fluid to follow an uninterrupted trajectory from the inlet port up to an outlet opening defined by an outlet port located above the inlet port; 
   allowing the moving fluid to flow out of the interior volume through the outlet opening; and   removing the at least some of the solid particles through the drain port.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a substantially horizontal cross-section of the internal surface is round. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the internal surface extends continuously and uninterrupted from the inlet port to the drain port and from the inlet port to the outlet opening. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the round horizontal cross-section and the uninterrupted extension of the internal surface and the tangential alignment of the inlet port causes the at least some of the solid particles to follow the uninterrupted trajectory that spirals downward along the internal surface from the inlet port to the drain port. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the uninterrupted extension of the internal surface causes the at least some of the moving fluid to follow the uninterrupted trajectory from the inlet port to the outlet opening. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising filtering the moving fluid as the moving fluid flows out of the interior volume through the outlet opening. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inlet port is positioned above a horizontal midplane of the vessel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the inlet port is closer to the horizontal midplane of the at least one vessel than to the outlet port. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inlet port is fluidly coupled to an inlet tube and the inlet tube is tangential to the internal surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the inlet tube is substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal cross-section of the internal surface is substantially circular. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal cross-section of the internal surface is substantially ellipsoidal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the horizontal cross-section of the internal surface is substantially oval. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a horizontal diameter of the interior volume is greater at a horizontal midplane of the interior volume than near the drain port and the outlet port. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a horizontal diameter of the interior volume is greater at a horizontal midplane of the interior volume than at a height of the inlet port. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a horizontal diameter of the interior volume is greatest at a horizontal midplane of the interior volume. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a horizontal diameter of the interior volume is variable along a height of the interior volume and diameter transitions of the interior volume are smooth. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  comprising:
 opening a first valve fluidly connected to the drain port to allow the solid particles to flow through the drain port into a drain pipe while a second valve fluidly connected to the drain pipe is closed thereby blocking the solid particles from flowing downward out of the drain pipe; and 
 subsequently closing the first valve to prevent the solid particles from flowing through the drain port into the drain pipe and opening the second valve fluidly connected to the drain pipe to thereby allow the solid particles to flow downward out of the drain pipe. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the drain port defines a drain opening and the drain opening is flush with the internal surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the outlet opening is flush with the internal surface.