US 11,938,422 B2
Differential pressure based automated sand detection and handling system for oil and gas well operations
Ryan Malone, Farmington, NM (US); Sander Baaren, Houston, TX (US); Eric Rasmussen, Austin, TX (US); and Richard Minter, Sealy, TX (US)
Assigned to FMC Technologies, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed by FMC Technologies, Inc., Houston, TX (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/835,537.
Prior Publication US 2021/0299595 A1, Sep. 30, 2021
Int. Cl. B01D 21/24 (2006.01); B01D 21/26 (2006.01); B01D 21/30 (2006.01); B01D 21/32 (2006.01); B01D 21/34 (2006.01); B04C 5/00 (2006.01); E21B 43/26 (2006.01)
CPC B01D 21/32 (2013.01) [B01D 21/245 (2013.01); B01D 21/267 (2013.01); B01D 21/302 (2013.01); B01D 21/34 (2013.01); B04C 5/00 (2013.01); E21B 43/2607 (2020.05)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system, comprising:
a separator vessel that is adapted to separate solids particles from a flow of a multi-phase fluid;
a differential pressure sensing system, the differential sensing pressure system being adapted to measure a differential pressure of a column of the multi-phase fluid in the separator vessel, wherein the differential pressure sensing system comprises first and second isolation seals,
wherein the separator vessel further comprises a sand outlet, and
wherein the first isolation seal is coupled to a side of the separator vessel and the second isolation seal is positioned vertically below the sand outlet; and
a control system that is adapted to determine at least one of a level, volume or weight of the separated solids particles within the separator vessel based upon at least the measured differential pressure of the column of the multi-phase fluid in the separator vessel.