The system and method is directed to improved separation or clarification of solids from a solids-laden liquid, including the removal of low gravity solids. A liquid to be treated is introduced into the inlet of a solid-liquid separator modified to include one or more sources of vibrational energy. The liquid is directed through a conduit within the separator. This conduit can be configured into a tortuous flow path to assist in the separation of solids from the liquid, the tortuous path being interconnected between two separation towers. Vibrational energy and gas sparging is applied to the flow path. As solids fall out of solution, they are collected. The clarified liquid is also collected. A vacuum can be applied to the system to assist in moving the solid-liquid mixture through the system and to provide vacuum clarification. Electrocoagulation electrodes can also be employed.

A de-sanding tank with a conical bottom. The de-sanding tank includes an enclosed tank having a vertical wall that extends down to a flat bottom. A conical bottom is disposed within an interior of the tank. The conical bottom is secured to the vertical wall forming an enclosing space bounded by a wall of the conical bottom and the vertical wall and flat bottom of the tank. A solids outlet is disposed at a lower tip of the conical bottom configured for removal of solids. The conical bottom is supported by a foam structure located within the enclosing space.

A compact rotating separator apparatus to which a fluid stream containing gas, two liquids of different density, and solids is supplied via nozzles or exhaust from a process component; and which employs high centrifugal forces to produce pure streams of the gas, each of the liquids, and a waste stream containing the solids. The energy in the fluid stream is converted to shaft power in the rotating separator apparatus and can be used to generate power. Oil, gas, water and solids from a production well can be directly separated into the constituent streams while producing useful power.

A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.

A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.

The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for operating a multi-phase pump which has a suction-side inlet (10) and a discharge-side outlet (20) and which pumps a multi-phase mixture charged with solids, comprising the following steps: a. pumping a multi-phase mixture into a discharge-side separation chamber (45), b. separating a gaseous phase from a liquid phase and a solid phase in the separation chamber (45), c. separating the liquid phase from the solid phase in the separation chamber (45), and d. supplying a portion of the liquid phase freed from the solid phase to the suction side.

The present disclosure provides a backflow collection system and a method for reclaiming backflow from a wellbore. The backflow collection system, in one embodiment, includes a collection vessel having an upper section and a lower section, the collection vessel having a side opening configured to receive backflow from an oil/gas well, as well as a discharge port proximate an upper end of the upper section configured to discharge pressurized gas from the collection vessel. The backflow collection system, in this embodiment, further includes an elevated auger positioned in relation to the collection vessel and configured to receive solid and liquid matter from a bottom opening in the lower section of the collection vessel, the collection vessel designed such that when fluid is contained therein it acts as a liquid/gas seal to prevent the pressurized gas from exiting through the bottom opening in the lower section of the collection vessel.

A multi-stage can washer includes a water treatment system structured to receive contaminated water from the skimming trough corresponding to a last feed tank, to clean the contaminated water, and to provide the cleaned water to a first one of the one or more feed tanks. The water treatment system includes a pressure vessel structured to mix ozone or air with the contaminated water to create gaseous water, a frothing cell structured to cause bubbles to form in the gaseous water to form a froth, to skim off and dispose of the froth, to degas the gaseous water to remove remaining gases, and to output degassed water, and a filtration system structured to receive the degassed water, to filter solid particles from the degassed water to form cleaned water, and to provide the cleaned water to the first feed tank.

One or two continuous recirculation loops are utilized for the well-site equipment that separates produced fluids into sand, liquid, and gas during drill out and flow back that occurs after fracturing a subterranean formation. When one recirculation loop is utilized, the recirculation loop continuously recirculates fluid between the recirculation chamber of the disclosed sand removal apparatus and a shaker device. When two recirculation loops are utilized, the first recirculation loop continuously recirculates fluid between a recirculation chamber of the disclosed sand removal apparatus and a shaker device, and the second recirculation loop continuously recirculates fluid between the recirculation chamber and a gas separator.

The present disclosure provides a backflow collection system and a method for reclaiming backflow from a wellbore. The backflow collection system, in one embodiment, includes a collection vessel having an upper section and a lower section, the collection vessel having a side opening configured to receive backflow from an oil/gas well, as well as a discharge port proximate an upper end of the upper section configured to discharge pressurized gas from the collection vessel. The backflow collection system, in this embodiment, further includes an elevated auger positioned in relation to the collection vessel and configured to receive solid and liquid matter from a bottom opening in the lower section of the collection vessel, the collection vessel designed such that when fluid is contained therein it acts as a liquid/gas seal to prevent the pressurized gas from exiting through the bottom opening in the lower section of the collection vessel.