A separation tank for the separation of a mixture of oil, gas, water, and solids obtained from an oil field includes distinct regions vertically located within the tank interior where constituent components of the mixture can collect. The inflowing mixture may be directed to a vertical column extending inside the separation tank and can be introduced to the tank interior through a swirl vane diffuser configured to impart a helical direction to the inflowing mixture that assist separation of the mixture component. To further facilitate separation of oil from the mixture, the separation tank may be operatively associated with an aeration system configured to generate and introduce an aerated liquid to the tank interior. Gas dissolved in the aerated liquid may form microbubbles that can naturally adhere to the oil and solids separate it from the mixture which can improve the quality of the water.

A sand separation system and method for operating a sand separation system, in which the method includes separating sand from a fluid using a separator. The method includes, signaling for a blowdown unit to blowdown the separator, opening one or more blowdown valves of the blowdown unit coupled to the separator in response to the signaling, so as to blowdown the separator, and receiving the sand from the separator into a sand disposal unit. The sand passes through the one or more blowdown valves that are opened. The method includes measuring a weight of at least some of the sand that was separated in the separator using a load cell of the separator, a load cell of the sand disposal unit, or both, and determining a blowdown interval for subsequent blowdown operations of the separator based in part on the weight of the sand.

A fluid treatment system combines cyclonic separators and gravitational separators for use in onshore and offshore oil and gas operations and elsewhere. The characteristics of apertures that interface between a gravitational separation chamber and a cyclonic separator are configurable in accordance with operational requirements. By selecting aperture characteristics, improved control and separation efficiencies can be achieved.

A sand bypass separator is provided for separating particulate matter from a fluid mixture in a production well and directing the separated particulate matter away from a pump intake. The separator includes an outer tube, an inner tube positioned within the outer tube, and a bypass. The outer tube has a plurality of slots to allow the fluid mixture to enter the separator between the outer tube and the inner tube. As the fluid mixture moves downward, the fluid mixture reaches a downward velocity sufficient to allow the particulate matter in the fluid mixture to continue downward as the fluid is drawn into the inner tube through the pump intake. The bypass extends from above the pump intake to below the pump intake to collect and direct the separated particulate matter separated below the pump intake.

A deep cone thickener with an underflow concentration rapid auto-adjustment pertains to the technical field of mining tailing disposal. The thickener includes a shell body, a dilution flocculation system, a shearing dewatering system, an underflow circulatory system, and an auto-control system. The shell body includes a thickener pool wall, a cone body, and a collection cylinder. The dilution flocculation system includes a feed pipe, a flocculant charging pipe, and a central feed well. The shearing dewatering system includes a drive motor, a drive shaft, and a rake. The underflow circulatory system includes discharging valves, underflow pumps, circulatory pipes, and a concentration meter. The auto-control system includes a PLC control system. During the underground paste filling, the dilution flocculation system and shearing dewatering system can form a paste slurry. When there is no need for underground backfill, the underflow circulatory system is used to lower the underflow concentration rapidly.

A monolithic membrane-type filtration structure for filtering liquids, includes a support formed of a porous inorganic material of permeability K.sub.s, the support having a tubular overall shape with a main axis, an upstream base, a downstream base, a peripheral wall delimiting an internal part and a plurality of passages parallel to the main axis of the support, formed in the internal part of the support, a membrane of permeability K.sub.m and of mean thickness t.sub.m covering the internal surface of the passages; the external hydraulic diameter of the structure satisfying the relationship .sub.f=[A+Blog.sub.10 (K.sub.st.sub.m/K.sub.m)]; in which is a coefficient between 0.85 and 1.15, and A=21570ent.sub.int.sup.218.6D.sub.h+19.0e.sub.int2.5e.sub.ext+0.1244 B=11760D.sub.he.sub.int+9.7e.sub.int+3.1e.sub.ext+0.04517. D.sub.h is the mean hydraulic diameter of the passages, e.sub.int is the minimum thickness of the internal walls between the passages, e.sub.ext is the minimum thickness of the peripheral wall of the filter.

A sand trap for use in oil and gas extraction operations includes a cylindrical vessel for receiving a high-pressure fluid stream with particulates. The vessel has a vertical longitudinal axis and a hollow cylindrical wall having upper and lower ends and an inlet opening generally perpendicular to but askew to the vessel longitudinal axis. Upper and lower caps extend from the upper and lower ends and have openings along the vessel longitudinal axis. An annular diverter has top and bottom ends and a longitudinal axis coaxial with the vessel longitudinal axis. A diverter outer wall permanently extends from an inner face of the cylindrical wall, and a diverter inner wall has an upper portion narrowing to a choke area and a lower portion flaring out from the choke area. A vent pipe extends from the upper cap opening to a location between the upper cap and the diverter top end.

An apparatus for separating particles, such as drill cuttings, from a flowable substance, such as drilling mud, is provided. The apparatus comprises an inlet for entry of particles combined with the flowable substance; an outlet for exit of particles separated from the flowable substance; a movable screen located between the inlet and the outlet; and a wash unit for delivering a wash agent to the particles. The screen allows for passage of the flowable substance therethrough, and defines a path for passage of the particles between the inlet and the outlet. Delivery of the wash agent to the particles assists with separation of the particles from the flowable substance. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

A system for determining the level of solids accumulated in a sand separator has a vibratory level sensor and a solid separator control system. The vibratory level sensor includes a vibratory rod and an exciter connected to the vibratory rod. In some embodiments, a vibration sensor is connected to the vibratory rod to monitor changes in the vibration of the rod. In other embodiments, changes in vibration are measured by looking at the rotational speed and power inputs at the exciter.

Systems and methods for separating a flowback mixture received from a wellbore. Employing a vessel with internal chambers to receive the mixture and employing eductors and a shaker to manage the separation of the mixture to produce a supply of solids-free liquid ready for reuse.