Sand and solids bypass separator
View Patent ↗A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. A bypass that extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake may also be included.
1 . A particulate separator for use with a production well producing a fluid mixture including particulate matter, the particulate separator comprising:
an outer tube including an opening extending from an exterior of the outer tube to an interior of the outer tube, wherein the fluid mixture flows from the exterior of the outer tube to the interior of the outer tube through the opening;
a pump intake positioned in the interior of the outer tube, wherein the fluid mixture flows from the opening to the pump intake; and
a bypass tube configured to direct the particulate matter in the fluid mixture downward to below the pump intake to thereby inhibit the particulate matter in fluid mixture from entering the pump intake.
2 . The particulate separator of claim 1 , further comprising an inner tube, the inner tube at least partially in the outer tube and having a bottom end comprising the pump intake.
3 . The particulate separator of claim 2 , wherein:
the inner tube comprises a helical fin extending outwardly and downwardly from the inner tube,
the helical fin is positioned between the opening and the pump intake, and
the helical fin is configured to direct the fluid mixture radially downward to aid in removal of the particulate matter from the fluid mixture and comprises an opening at a bottom portion of the helical fin such that the helical fin is configured to direct the particulate matter separated from the fluid mixture into the opening.
4 . The particulate separator of claim 3 , wherein a top end of the bypass tube is coupled with the opening.
5 . The particulate separator of claim 3 , wherein the helical fin comprises a flange extending upwardly adjacent to the opening to direct the particulate matter separated from the fluid mixture into the opening.
6 . The particulate separator of claim 2 , further comprising:
a fin extending outward from the inner tube to an interior surface of the outer tube.
7 . The particulate separator of claim 6 , wherein an inlet of the bypass tube is configured to collect the particulate matter from the fin.
8 . The particulate separator of claim 1 , further comprising a coupling positioned at a bottom portion of the bypass tube,
wherein the coupling is configured to couple the bottom portion of the bypass tube with the outer tube to stabilize the bottom portion of the bypass tube.
9 . The particulate separator of claim 8 , wherein:
the coupling comprises an outer annular ring and one or more supports extending within the outer annular ring,
the outer annular ring is coupled with the outer tube,
the coupling comprises an inner annular ring positioned within the outer annular ring, and
the inner annular ring is sized to receive the bottom portion of the bypass tube therethrough.
10 . The particulate separator of claim 8 , wherein the coupling comprises one or more openings configured to allow the fluid mixture to flow therethrough.
11 . The particulate separator of claim 1 , wherein an exit of the bypass tube is positioned above an open bottom end of the outer tube, wherein the open bottom end of the outer tube is configured to allow the particulate matter exiting the bypass tube to flow to a mud anchor.
12 . The particulate separator of claim 1 , wherein the production well has an artificial lift mechanism.
13 . The particulate separator of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flange extending upwardly from an inlet of the bypass tube.
14 . The particulate separator of claim 13 , wherein the flange is configured to collect the particulate matter into the inlet of the bypass tube.
15 . The particulate separator of claim 1 , wherein the particulate matter in the fluid mixture is directed downward through an interior of the bypass tube to below the pump intake.
16 . A method for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture for use with a production well, the method comprising the steps of:
drawing the fluid mixture into a separator having an outer tube, the outer tube including one or more openings positioned above a pump intake positioned in the outer tube below the one or more openings, the one or more openings allowing the fluid mixture to enter the outer tube and flow toward the pump intake; and
directing the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to travel downward from above the pump intake to below the pump intake and further directing the particulate matter into a bypass that has an exit below the pump intake,
wherein the bypass inhibits the particulate matter from entering the pump intake.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising an inner tube, the inner tube at least partially in the outer tube and having a bottom end comprising the pump intake.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein directing the fluid mixture to travel downward below the pump intake comprises directing the fluid mixture radially and downwardly by a fin extending outwardly from the inner tube above the pump intake.
19 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the particulate matter exiting the bypass is directed downwardly to a mud anchor.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the production well has an artificial lift mechanism.