Continuous Recirculation For Separation Of Fluids Produced During Drill Out And Flow Back

What is this patent about?

’569 is related to the field of oil and gas operations, specifically the separation of fluids produced during well drill out and flowback after fracturing. These fluids contain a mixture of sand, water, gas, and other components that must be separated for disposal, recycling, or further processing. Traditional separation methods can be inefficient and time-consuming, requiring significant rig-up time and potentially leading to incomplete separation of the various components.

The underlying idea behind ’569 is to improve the efficiency of fluid separation by using continuous recirculation loops within a sand removal apparatus. This involves continuously circulating fluid between different components of the apparatus, such as a hopper, recirculation chamber, diffuser, and shaker device, to enhance the separation of sand from liquids. The continuous recirculation creates a dynamic system where the fluid is repeatedly processed, leading to more effective sand removal and a drier sand product.

The claims of ’569 focus on a system and process for separating sand and water. The key elements include a hopper for receiving a sand and water mixture, a recirculation chamber, a diffuser to spread the mixture, and a shaker device to separate the sand from the liquid. The claims emphasize the fluidic connections between these components, particularly the recirculation paths that enable continuous processing of the fluid.

In practice, the sand removal feed, containing sand and water, enters the hopper. A portion of this mixture is then directed to a recirculation chamber. Both the hopper and the recirculation chamber feed into a diffuser, which spreads the mixture evenly onto a shaker device. The shaker separates the sand, while the liquid is recycled back to the hopper, creating a continuous loop. A second recirculation loop can also be implemented, directing fluid from the recirculation chamber to a gas separator and back to the hopper, further enhancing the separation process.

This design differentiates itself from prior approaches by employing continuous recirculation, which enhances separation efficiency and produces drier sand. Unlike traditional systems that may rely on static separation or augers for sand removal, ’569 utilizes a dynamic system with a diffuser and shaker device to achieve more effective separation. The use of multiple recirculation loops and specific fluid paths between components allows for a more controlled and efficient separation process, minimizing rig-up time and improving overall performance.