Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for reducing the production of sand and other mineral particles within the production fluids of a subterranean wells. The apparatus includes a tubular conduit having openings therein which are protected by flow diversion shields. The flow diversion shields are arranged so that the flow of the production fluids into the tubular conduit is less than the gravitationally induced falling rate of the particulate material thereby separating a majority of the particulate material from the production fluid.
Abstract:
Well casing assembly for use in oil and gas wells, and especially deviated or horizontal wells, has an inner pipe member with threaded ends which permit a number of casing assemblies to be joined in a string. The inner pipe has a series of perforations along a segment of its length which are covered by an elongated screen member which prevents the passage of sand particles. A concentric outer protective cover member is devoid of perforations in regions which are radially opposite the inner screen to prevent damage to the screen. One or more perforated segments of the outer member are axially spaced from the screen member so that inward flow from a formation will have its energy and velocity reduced before it reaches the screen, thereby minimizing erosion of the screen surface. If desired, perforated flow control devices such as annular rings can be located between the inner pipe and outer member at the ends of the screen segment to allow a more uniform flow to the screen, and thus further reduce erosion.
Abstract:
A filter is provided which combines a woven wire mesh over a supporting body. The supporting body is typically a metal perforated tube which provides fluid communication between the well bore and the production equipment string. The woven wire mesh acts as a filter to prevent the influx of sand particles, provides openings oriented at various angles relative to its surface, so that some area is available for fluid entry even when particulate matter is lodged on the surface above an opening, provides interior channels that allow fluid to travel from one location on the mesh surface to another location over an opening into the supporting body, and does not provide "straight-through" openings, thus forcing the fluid to make multiple turns to pass through the mesh, thereby dissipating the fluid's energy and increases the mesh's erosion resistance. When particulate matter accumulates on the mesh's surface, the resulting particle cake remains porous, heightening the filter's resistance to plugging.
Abstract:
Industrial vacuum machines such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,913 employ cloth filters in the last stage of separation of fine particles from the air stream. Such filter are cleaned inside the machine by vibration. In accordance with this invention, a baffle is movable between normal and recycling positions. In normal position the discharge of the vacuum impeller is discharged to the atmosphere. In recycling position the impeller discharge is diverted back into the primary separation chamber and then through the filters in order to remove dust and prevent its discharge to the atmosphere.
Abstract:
A movable deposition filter comprises a filter tank associated with two mixing tanks, all the tanks being connectable selectively through fixed connections, the filter tank being mounted upright near one end of a chassis and the mixing tanks near the other end, all controls and instrumentation being mounted at, and accessible from, this other end of the chassis. One of the mixing tanks is intended to supply filter aid for forming a layer on the filter elements prior to filtration, the other (with agitator) to supply filter aid continuously during filtration. Preferably the valves in the interconnecting piping are arranged in groups -an inlet group, a mixing group and an outlet group. In operation, liquid to fill all the tanks is drawn in through an inlet valve and pumped at (14), Fig. 6 (not shown), through a mixing valve to the filter tank (13) and thence, when full, by overflow to the mixing tanks (11, 12) which are thereafter charged with filter aid. Next, filter aid slurry is withdrawn from mixing tank (11) through an inlet valve by pump (14), discharged into the filter tank (13), and passed therefrom along the filtrate pipe back to the mixing tank (11) in a closed cycle. For the filtration step liquid is drawn in through an inlet valve and mixed in the mixing valve housing with filter aid slurry drawn by a metering pump (15) from tank (12); it then flows through the elements in filter tank (13) to one or two outlet valves. The next stage is backwashing to remove the cake, for which purpose liquid is drawn in through an inlet valve and pumped through a mixing valve communicating with the filtrate side of the elements in tank (13). The cake accumulates at the bottom of the tank. Then the filter tank (13) is partially emptied under pressure by closing all inlet and mixing valves, opening an outlet valve, and admitting gas under pressure through a separate valve to the "unfiltered" space in the tank (13). The liquid is forced up discharge pipes each open at the lower end and extending downward within a filter element nearly to the bottom. The lower part (31) of the filter tank (13) may then be lowered, swung sideways and tipped about pivots to dispose of the residues. Where filtering is not required, liquid may be pumped directly from one or two inlet valves through one of the mixing valves to the exterior, the filter being by-passed and all the outlet valves being closed. Preferably each filter element consists of a hollow perforate cylinder with a closed lower end surrounded by a filter sleeve. The discharge pipe (mentioned above) has an outwardly-directed flange contacting the upper rim of the element so that the filtrate must flow downwards in the element and then up the pipe to reach the filtrate reservoir (32) above the element-supporting plate (34) in the tank (13).
Abstract:
A filtering device for fluids includes a filter housing (1) and a filter element (9) received in the filter housing. The filter element has an end cap (17) on at least one end. The end cap forms an enclosure for the corresponding end edge of the filtering material (23, 35) and is fixed on an element receiver (13) interacting with the bottom part (5) of the filter housing (1) to fix the position of the filter element (9) in its functional position. The element receiver forms a fluid path for the cleaned fluid exiting the hollow chamber (19) of the filter element (9). The element receiver (13) contains a valve arrangement (55) blocking the fluid path (35). A control device (79, 83) releasing the valve arrangement (55) in the functional position is on the end cap (17) of the filtering element (9). The end cap is fixed on the element receiver (13).