Deposited material sand control media
A filtering medium for removal of solids from a fluid. A solid filtering matrix contains fluid passages that are made up of a plurality of chambers with connecting channels. The chambers have a greater diameter than the connecting channels.
1. A filtering medium for removal of solids from a fluid, the filtering medium comprising:
a solid filtering matrix which is formed into a filtering plug to be secured within an opening of a production nipple, the plug presenting an inflow end and an outflow end, the solid filtering matrix being formed of a metal material;
multiple fluid passages defined within the filtering matrix and extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, the fluid passage comprising a plurality of chambers having a first diameter and a connecting channel which interconnects each of the plurality of chambers, the connecting channel having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter; and
the multiple fluid passages are arranged in a helical or spiral pattern starting proximate a center of the filtering plug and radiating outwardly toward an outer circumference of the plug.
2. The filtering medium of claim 1 wherein the chambers are substantially spherical in shape.
3. The filtering medium of claim 1 wherein the solid filtering matrix is formed of multiple deposited layers.
4. The filtering medium of claim 1 wherein the metal material comprises stainless steel.
5. The filtering medium of claim 1 wherein the filtering plug is threaded to allow the plug to be secured within an opening in a production nipple.
6. A filtering medium for removal of solids from a fluid, the filtering medium comprising:
a solid filtering matrix which is formed into a generally cylindrical filtering plug to be secured within an opening of a production nipple, the plug presenting an inflow end and an outflow end;
the filtering plug having a fluid impermeable radial outer portion and a radially inner fluid-permeable filtering portion;
multiple fluid passages defined within the filtering portion and extending from the inflow end to the outflow end, each fluid passage comprising a plurality of chambers having a first diameter and a connecting channel which interconnects each of the plurality of chambers, the connecting channel having a second diameter which is smaller than the first diameter;
the multiple fluid passages are arranged in a helical or spiral pattern starting proximate a center of the filtering plug and radiating outwardly toward an outer circumference of the plug; and
the solid filtering matrix being formed of deposited layers of metal material.
7. The filtering medium of claim 6 wherein the metal material comprises stainless steel.
8. The filtering medium of claim 6 wherein multiple fluid passages extend from the fluid inflow end to the fluid outflow end.
9. The filtering medium of claim 6 wherein the chambers are substantially spherical in shape.
10. The filtering medium of claim 6 wherein the filtering plug is threaded to allow the plug to be secured within an opening in a production nipple.