Down-hole sand and solids separator utilized in producing hydrocarbons

摘要

A new method separating sand, solids, and produced particulates down-hole in a well producing hydrocarbons. The separation assembly can include ether one, two, or more segments or stages of varying lengths depending upon the individual application. The assembly is installed into the tubing string or delivery conduit of a well producing hydrocarbons. One stage can consist of a velocity chamber whereby separation of particulates occurs by increasing the downward velocity of particulates and reducing the upward velocity of hydrocarbons thereby allowing the particulates to “fall-out” into a lower chamber where the particulates are captured. Another stage can consist of a filter whereby particulates are captured in a chamber that can consist of filtering materials such as gravel, rock, sand, wood, or manmade materials. Each of the stages can be employed individually or in combination.

主权项

1. A sand separator for removing particulate matter from a fluid in a petroleum production well, the sand separator comprising:
a tubular casing sized to fit into the well bore of the petroleum production well the casing having an input end and an output end, wherein the fluid from the petroleum production well passes through the casing entering at the input end and exiting at the output end; permeable retention screens at each of the input end and the output end of the casing; and a filter media held in the casing by the permeable retention screens and filling the interior volume of the casing between the permeable retention screens, the filter media operable to remove the particulate matter from the fluid.