Patent ID: 7048865
Filing Date: 2006-05-23
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for removing particles from a high pressure flow stream from a hydrocarbon well, comprising the steps of: a. flowing the high pressure flow stream into an inlet of a high pressure trap; b. flowing the flow stream from the inlet into a tube in the high pressure trap, wherein the tube is adapted to accelerate the flow stream; c. ejecting the flow stream from the tube into a chamber in the high pressure trap adjacent a second end of the tube, wherein the chamber is adapted to de-accelerate and redirect the flow stream along an outside surface of the tube to flow upwardly in a direction opposite the first direction; d. contacting the flow stream with a plate wound helically around the outside surface of the tube, wherein the plate is adapted to create a cyclonic effect with the flow stream; e. collecting a portion of the particles from the flow stream in a bottom reservoir forming a cleaner flow stream; f. removing the remaining particles from the cleaner flow stream while flowing the cleaner flow stream over the plate and toward a side outlet adjacent a first end of the tube; g. collecting the remaining particles in the bottom reservoir forming collected particles; and h. dumping the collected particles from the bottom reservoir.