US 12,072,225 B2
External solids level detection for a collection vessel
Ryan Thomas Bowley, Calgary (CA)
Assigned to ENERCORP ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS INC., Calgary (CA)
Filed by ENERCORP SAND SOLUTIONS INC., Calgary (CA)
Filed on Aug. 17, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/104,548.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/552,776, filed on Aug. 31, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0063984 A1, Feb. 28, 2019
Int. Cl. G01F 23/296 (2022.01); B01D 21/26 (2006.01); B01D 21/34 (2006.01); B04C 1/00 (2006.01); B04C 5/185 (2006.01); B04C 11/00 (2006.01); C02F 1/00 (2023.01); C02F 1/38 (2023.01); G01F 23/2962 (2022.01); C02F 103/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01F 23/2962 (2013.01) [B01D 21/267 (2013.01); B01D 21/34 (2013.01); B04C 1/00 (2013.01); B04C 5/185 (2013.01); B04C 11/00 (2013.01); C02F 1/008 (2013.01); C02F 1/385 (2013.01); C02F 2103/10 (2013.01); C02F 2209/005 (2013.01); C02F 2209/42 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A mixed fluid collection apparatus, comprising:
a collection vessel configured to be coupled to a sand separator, to receive a fluid therefrom, and to at least partially contain the fluid, the fluid comprising a first component and a second component, the second component comprising solid particulates, wherein the collection vessel includes an outer shell within which the fluid is contained;
an emitter coupled to an outside of the outer shell at a first position, wherein the emitter is configured to emit an acoustic signal into the outer shell;
a receiver coupled to the outside of the outer shell at a second position, the second position being offset from the first position, the receiver being configured to detect the acoustic signal emitted by the emitter; and
a controller coupled to the emitter and the receiver, wherein the controller is configured to determine a time between when the acoustic signal is emitted and when the acoustic signal is detected, and wherein the controller is configured to determine a vertical level of the solid particulates that have settled in the collection vessel is above a vertical level of the emitter, based on the time.