System for removing solids from a separator and method therefor

1 . A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, the separator for separating components of a well fluid flow produced by a well, the system comprising:

an inlet for receiving a motive fluid flow;

a nozzle configured to introduce the motive fluid flow to the sedimentary solids in the separator, thereby fluidizing the sedimentary solids; and

an outlet configured to allow the fluidized solids to exit the separator;

a motive fluid line for introducing the motive fluid flow into the inlet, the motive fluid line connected to a well fluid line at a motive fluid line connection, the well fluid line for introducing the well fluid into the separator; and

a control valve for controlling the motive fluid flow through the motive fluid line from the well fluid line, wherein the motive fluid flow comprises well fluid flow produced from the well; and

wherein the control valve is disposed in-line with the well fluid line upstream of the separator and downstream of the motive fluid line connection;

wherein the control valve is configured to be at least partially closeable to create a differential pressure between the well fluid line and the separator such that well fluid flows through the motive fluid line.

2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising:

an inlet valve for controlling flow of the motive fluid into the inlet;

wherein the inlet valve is configured to control introduction of the motive fluid into the separator for fluidizing the sedimentary solids in the separator.

3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising:

an outlet valve for controlling flow of the fluidized solids from the outlet thereby controlling removal of the fluidized solids from the separator.

4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising:

a controller for controlling operation of at least one of the control valve, the inlet, or the outlet valve based on a parameter of at least one of the motive fluid flow or the fluidized solids.

5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the parameter comprises a flow rate, an absolute pressure or a differential pressure.

6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the parameter comprises the absolute pressure in the motive fluid line.

7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the parameter comprises the differential pressure of the well fluid entering the separator and the motive fluid in the well fluid line.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the inlet and/or outlet is external to the separator.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the outlet is configured such that the fluidized solids flow through the outlet in a same direction as gravity.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is configured to direct the motive fluid to entrain the sedimentary solids; and

wherein the nozzle is configured to direct the motive fluid to generate a vortex for fluidizing the sedimentary solids.

11 . A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, the separator configured to receive a well fluid flow from a well through a well fluid line, the system comprising:

a control valve disposed in-line with the well fluid line at a first point upstream of the separator, wherein the control valve is configured to be controlled between a first setting and a second setting, and the second setting is partially closed relative to the first setting;

a motive fluid line in fluid communication with the well fluid line at a second point upstream of the control valve, wherein the motive fluid line is configured to receive a motive fluid flow from the well fluid in the well fluid line;

an inlet for receiving the motive fluid flow from the motive fluid line;

a nozzle configured to introduce the motive fluid flow to the sedimentary solids in the separator, thereby fluidizing the sedimentary solids; and

an outlet configured to allow the fluidized solids to exit the separator;

wherein the system is configured such that the motive fluid flow within the motive fluid line is controlled by controlling the control valve between the first setting and the second setting.

12 . A system for removing sedimentary solids from a separator, the separator configured to receive a well fluid flow from a well through a well fluid line, the system comprising:

a control valve disposed in-line with the well fluid line at a first point upstream of the separator, wherein the control valve is configured to be controlled between a first setting and a second setting, and the second setting is partially closed relative to the first setting;

a motive fluid line in fluid communication with the well fluid line at a second point upstream of the control valve, wherein the motive fluid line is configured to receive a motive fluid flow from the well fluid in the well fluid line; and

a fluidizing device having an inlet, a nozzle, and an outlet, wherein the inlet is disposed to receive the motive fluid flow from the motive fluid line, the nozzle is in fluid communication with a gravitational base of the separator, and the outlet is in fluid communication with the gravitational base of the separator;

wherein the nozzle is disposed to receive the motive fluid flow from the inlet and direct the motive fluid flow into the separator in a direction opposite a gravitational vector, and the outlet is disposed to receive fluidized solids from the separator; and

wherein the system is configured such that the motive fluid flow within the motive fluid line is controlled by controlling the control valve between the first setting and the second setting.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the fluidizing device includes a body housing a chamber that extends along an axial centerline, and the nozzle is disposed at a first axial end of the chamber and the outlet is disposed at a second axial end of the chamber, wherein the second axial end is opposite the first axial end; and

wherein the inlet is disposed to direct the motive fluid flow into the chamber in a direction that is tangential to the axial centerline of the chamber.