Downhole gas and solids separator

摘要

The disclosed downhole gas and solids separator includes a suspended helical flighting member for efficient downhole separation of both gases and solids from a hydrocarbon production stream. Centrifugal force, provided by the flighting member, accelerates the coalescence of like materials to enhance separation of both gases and solids within the separator. Centrifugal force urges solids to the outer wall of the separator and gases toward the center, where passageways are designed to allow solids to efficiently migrate toward and accumulate at the bottom of the separator while simultaneously allowing gases to efficiently rise out of the separator device.

主权项

1. A separator device for use with a hydrocarbon production well producing a fluid production stream including gaseous products and solid products, said separator device comprising:
a housing member; an inner tube member having a first end and a second end, said inner tube member being at least partially disposed within said housing member; an annular zone formed between an interior surface of said housing member and an exterior surface of said inner tube member; a flighting support member attached to said second end of said inner tube member; a flighting member having a first end and a second end, said flighting member being disposed within said annular zone between said housing member and said inner tube member, wherein said second end of said flighting member engages said flighting support member in a manner which suspends said flighting member around a portion of said inner tube member in a manner in which said flighting member remains detached from said inner tube member; an inner annular space defined as the void space formed between the inside diameter of said flighting member and the exterior surface of said inner tube member; and an outer annular space defined as the void space extending from the outside diameter of the flighting member to the interior surface of the housing member.