BR-102022016246-B1 - Sand discharge method from a sand separator and automated sand separator discharge system.

BR102022016246B1BR 102022016246 B1BR102022016246 B1BR 102022016246B1BR-102022016246-B1

Abstract

METHOD FOR DISCHARGING SAND FROM A SAND SEPARATOR AND AUTOMATED SAND SEPARATOR DISCHARGE SYSTEM. This is a system for automatically discharging sand from a sand separator. The system includes a first and a second valve and a throttling valve arranged in a discharge line of a sand separator. A pressure transducer measures pressure in the line between the first and second valves. A controller operates the valves to start and end the discharge sequence. An emergency shut-off valve is positioned upstream of the sand separator and is operative to shut down the system if the pressure reading by the transducer exceeds a predetermined amount.

Inventors

JASON LEO PITCHER

Assignees

BATFER INVESTMENT SA

Dates

Publication Date: 20260317
Application Date: 20220816
Priority Date: 20211209

Claims (7)

1. AUTOMATED SAND SEPARATOR DISCHARGE SYSTEM, characterized by comprising: a sand separator disposed downstream of a wellhead; an inlet to receive a process flow from said wellhead; a fluid outlet to remove a liquid and gas flow from said sand separator; a sand discharge outlet to remove sand from said sand separator; first and second valves positioned in a discharge line of said sand discharge outlet; a first pressure transducer connected to said sand discharge line between said first and said second valves, wherein said pressure transducer is operative to generate a pressure-indicating signal between said first and said second valves; a controller operatively connected to said first and said second valves, and said first transducer, wherein said controller is programmed to start and stop the sand discharge from said sand separator, and wherein said controller is also programmed to periodically perform individual seal integrity checks of at least one of said first and said second valves. second valves.
2. METHOD FOR DISCHARGING SAND FROM A SAND SEPARATOR, using the automated sand separator discharge system as defined in claim 1, characterized by the method comprising: providing a sand separator disposed downstream of a wellhead, wherein said sand separator has an inlet to receive a process stream from said wellhead, a fluid outlet to remove a liquid and gas stream from said sand separator, and a sand discharge outlet to remove sand from said sand separator; providing first and second valves positioned in a line from said sand discharge outlet; providing a first pressure transducer connected to said sand discharge line between said first and said second valves, wherein said pressure transducer is operative to generate a pressure-indicating signal between said first and said second valves; providing a controller operatively connected to said first and said second valves, and said first pressure transducer; initiating sand discharge from the said sand separator; open said first valve; open said second valve; monitor the pressure on said first transducer; stop discharging said sand when said first transducer indicates a drop in pressure.
3. METHOD, according to claim 2, characterized by further comprising: measuring the amount of time elapsed between the start of said sand discharge and a first indication by said first transducer of a pressure drop to determine a gas burst time.
4. METHOD, according to claim 3, characterized by further comprising: terminating the discharge of said sand when, or before, the gas eruption time has elapsed.
5. METHOD, according to claim 2, characterized by further comprising: providing a second transducer operatively connected to said inlet and operative for measuring the pressure in said process flow.
6. METHOD, according to claim 5, characterized by further comprising: monitoring the pressure of both said first and said second transducers and terminating the discharge of said sand when said first or said second transducer indicates a drop in pressure.
7. METHOD FOR DISCHARGING SAND FROM A SAND SEPARATOR, using the automated sand separator discharge system as defined in claim 1, characterized by the method comprising: providing a sand separator disposed downstream of a wellhead, wherein said sand separator has an inlet to receive a process flow from said wellhead, a fluid outlet to remove a liquid and gas flow from said sand separator, a sand discharge outlet to remove sand from said sand separator; providing first and second valves positioned in a discharge line from said sand discharge outlet; providing a first pressure transducer connected to said sand discharge line between said first and said second valves, wherein said transducer is operative to generate a pressure-indicating signal between said first and said second valves; a controller operatively connected to said first and said second valves, and said first transducer; initiating the discharge of sand from said separator. of sand; open said first valve; open said second valve; finish discharging said sand when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed; initiate a seal integrity check of at least one of said first and said second valves.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS [001] This application is a continuation in part of Application No. U.S. 16/984,976, filed August 4, 2020, which, in turn, claims priority from Application No. U.S. 63/002,040, filed March 30, 2020, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION: [002] The present invention relates to an automated discharge system for a sand separator positioned downstream of an oil or gas wellhead. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [003] Sand separators (also called sand separators and sand collectors) are often the first piece of equipment downstream of an oil or gas wellhead. A sand separator captures sand and sediment from the production stream to protect further downstream equipment from clogging and erosion. In a typical sand separator, sand and sediment are separated using baffles, plates, or collision and gravity plates. The plates keep the sand and sediment separated at the bottom of the vessel while allowing gas and liquids to flow over the top. The liquids and gas are carried through an upper outlet line for further downstream processing, and the sand/sediment is periodically discharged from the bottom of the separator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [004] In one aspect, the present invention relates to an automated discharge system for a sand separator. [005] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a sand separator discharge system that can be activated by a remote command, in response to a sand level sensor or in an automated program. [006] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a sand separator discharge system in which the integrity of the valves can be automatically checked and, if the integrity of the valve has been compromised, the system can be shut down. [007] These features and advantages, in addition to other extras, of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, which refers to the Figures in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [008] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the system of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES [009] As used in this document, the term “sand” refers to sand, sediment, or other solid particulates that are undesirable in a flow produced from an oil or gas wellhead. It will thus be understood that the term “sand” is not limited to actual sand. [0010] Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the system of the present invention. The system comprises a sand separator S connected to a wellhead W by line 10. The sand separator S can be of any type well known to those skilled in the art. As with most typical sand separator systems, a flow from the wellhead W enters the separator S where the sand is separated from the flow. The lighter liquid and gaseous portions of the flow leave the separator S suspended by means of line 20 for further processing. An aqueous paste of sand, water, heavier liquids, etc. is removed from the bottom of separator S by means of line 30 and is sent to a sand collection tank 32. [0011] Transducers 40, 42, and 44 measure the pressure in lines 10, 20, and 30, respectively, and generate signals indicating the pressure. The purpose of transducers 40, 42, and 44 will be explained more fully later. [0012] Valves 50 and 52 are positioned on either side of the in-line transducer 44 30. In a preferred embodiment, the throttling valve 54 is downstream of valve 52, but upstream of the sand collection tank 32. It will be understood that the present invention can also work in systems that do not employ a throttling valve. In the embodiments shown herein, the throttling valve 54 is designed to be fully open or fully closed and is the primary wear element of the system of the present invention. It will be noted that valves 50 and 52 can be of any hydraulically or pneumatically actuated type. Such valves may include, but are not limited to, plug valves, ball valves, gate valves, etc. In a preferred embodiment, valves 50 and 52 are plug valves. The throttling valve 54 can also be of any type provided that it is a throttling valve. In a preferred embodiment, the throttling valve 54 is a hydraulically actuated, spring-return throttling valve that fails to open. [0013] Controller 60 receives data from transducers 40, 42, and 44 and thus monitors the inlet pressure of sand separator S via transducer 40, the outlet pressure via transducer 42, and the pressure between valves 50 and 52 via transducer 44. It is important to ensure that pressure integrity is maintained in line 30. This is achieved by monitoring the line between valves 50 and 52. [0014] Controller 60 is operatively connected to valves 50 and 52 and to throttling valve 54. In a preferred embodiment, controller 60 is an electro-hydraulic controller. [0015] The sand discharge sequences using the system of the present invention proceed as shown below. In these embodiments, all valves are controlled by controller 60. OPTION 1 OF SAND