Patent ID: 8236182
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
1. A method for intercepting solid particles within a stream of fluids flowing from a wellhead, through an interconnecting wellhead line and to a flowline, comprising the steps of positioning a container in a conduit between and in fluid communication with the interconnecting wellhead line and the flowline, the container having a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the conduit near the inlet to the container, the container having an outer surface including an upper portion above a horizontal axis of a cross-section of the container and a lower portion below the horizontal axis of the container, the container further including at least one access port located in the upper portion of the container, the at least one access port having a predetermined size that prevents substantial human entry into the access port; passing the stream of fluids flowing from the wellhead and interconnecting wellhead line through the conduit and into the container, the container allowing substantially unidirectional and unobstructed fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet; and reducing the velocity of the fluid when it enters the container, thereby allowing solid particles in the fluid to settle into the lower portion of the container and preventing a portion of the solid particles from entering the flowline.