Patent ID: 8945399
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: B01D,B04C,E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for separating sand or other solids from oil or other fluids that are produced from a well, the apparatus comprising: a generally cylindrical separation chamber having a vertically oriented axis; an inlet to the separation chamber, wherein the inlet is oriented tangentially with respect to the separation chamber, wherein fluid entering the separation chamber through the inlet is caused to flow in a generally circular path within the separation chamber, and wherein the inlet receives fluid from a feed pipe having a first cross-sectional area and the inlet has a second cross-sectional area which is less than the first cross-sectional area, thereby accelerating the fluid entering the separation chamber; and an outlet from the separation chamber, wherein an opening of the outlet within the separation chamber is positioned in a central portion of the separation chamber.