US 12,270,289 B2
Cyclonic de-sander vessel
Anthony Keeton, Springtown, TX (US)
Assigned to Kodiak Equipment Rentals, LLC, New Caney, TX (US)
Filed by Kodiak Equipment Rentals, LLC, New Caney, TX (US)
Filed on Sep. 17, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/468,722.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/516,921, filed on Aug. 1, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/381,562, filed on Oct. 30, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0141771 A1, May 2, 2024
Int. Cl. E21B 43/34 (2006.01); B04C 3/06 (2006.01); B04C 5/081 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/35 (2020.05) [B04C 3/06 (2013.01); B04C 5/081 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A cyclonic de-sander for a fluid stream, comprising:
a pressure vessel, wherein the pressure vessel has a side wall, an upper end, a lower end, and an interior volume;
a fluid inlet configured to deliver the fluid stream into the interior volume of the pressure vessel in an eccentric manner, thereby forming a cyclone;
a vortex tube residing vertically within the interior volume of the pressure vessel, wherein the vortex tube comprises an upper end in fluid communication with the upper end of the pressure vessel, and a lower end in fluid communication with the interior volume;
a funnel residing within the interior volume of the pressure vessel below the fluid inlet and below the lower end of the vortex tube, wherein the funnel comprises:
a frusto-conical body;
an upper end defining a first inner diameter; and
a lower end defining a second inner diameter;
wherein:
a distance D separates the fluid inlet from the upper end of the funnel, with the distance D representing between 35% and 55% of a total height of the interior volume of the pressure vessel;
the first inner diameter is greater than the second inner diameter; and
the first and second inner diameters are sized and configured to gravitationally receive solid particles from the fluid stream, and inhibit the travel of the solid particles back up the interior volume of the pressure vessel during operation;
and wherein the funnel is configured to create a pressure drop of at least 10 psi below the funnel relative to an environment of the interior volume proximate the lower end of the vortex tube.