Separator and method of separation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9714561-B2
Application number	US-201314092380-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 27, 2013
Priority date	Jun 16, 2006
Publication date	Jul 25, 2017
Grant date	Jul 25, 2017

Abstract

A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for separating a multiphase fluid stream comprising a relatively high density fluid and/or solid component and a relatively low density fluid and/or solid component, the apparatus comprising:
a separation region;
an inlet to introduce the multiphase fluid stream into the separation region;
an arcuate conduit for conveying the multiphase fluid stream to the inlet; and
wherein the arcuate conduit and the inlet are arranged to introduce the fluid stream into the separation region in an orientation corresponding to that of the fluid within the separation region during operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the arcuate conduit is helical.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the arcuate conduit comprises a helical pipe.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the arcuate conduit comprises two complete turns.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream comprises at least one fluid phase and a solid phase.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream comprises a liquid phase and a gaseous phase.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream comprises two immiscible liquid phases.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream is produced from a subterranean well.

9. A method of separating a multiphase fluid stream comprising a relatively high density fluid and/or solid component and a relatively low density fluid and/or solid component, the method comprising:
introducing the multiphase fluid stream into a separation region in a manner to introduce a rotational flow pattern within the separation region; and
prior to introducing the multiphase fluid stream into the separation region, flowing the multiphase fluid stream along an arcuate flowpath in an orientation corresponding to the rotational flow pattern within the separation region.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising forcing the incoming fluid to flow along a circular or helical path prior to entering the separation region.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the arcuate flowpath is helical.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream in the arcuate flowpath is flowing in a laminar or transitional flow regime.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream comprises at least one fluid phase and a solid phase.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream comprises a liquid phase and a gaseous phase.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream comprises two immiscible liquid phases.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the multiphase fluid stream is produced from a subterranean well.

Assignees

• Cameron Int Corp

Inventors

• Hopper Hans Paul

Classifications

• B01D17/0217 Primary

  by centrifugal force · CPC title

• B01D2221/04

  Separation devices for treating liquids from earth drilling, mining · CPC title

• E21B43/36 Primary

  Underwater separating arrangements (E21B43/38 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B01D21/0012

  Settling tanks making use of filters, e.g. by floating layers of particulate material · CPC title

• B01D19/0052

  in rotating vessels, vessels containing movable parts or in which centrifugal movement is caused (B01D19/0026 takes precedence) · CPC title