A system and method for determining when a sand separator should be purged to remove solids from the sand separator. The system can include an acoustic sensor which detects the frequency of audible sound coming from the inner chamber of the vessel and generate a signature signal representative of the frequency of audible sound. There is a processor connected to the acoustic sensor and configured to compare the signature signal with a set frequency range of audible sound which in turn generates a signal indicating when he signature frequency and the set frequency are in overlapping relationship.

Embodiments are described for separating/collecting components from a multi-component fluid such as whole blood. Some embodiments provide for controlling the amount of a component, such as platelets, introduced into a separation chamber to ensure that the density of fluid in the separation chamber does not exceed a particular value. This may provide for collecting purer components. Other embodiments may provide for determining a chamber flow rate based on a concentration of a component in the multi-component fluid, which may then be used to determine a centrifuge speed, to collect purer concentrated components.

Embodiments are described for separating/collecting components from a multi-component fluid such as whole blood. Some embodiments provide for controlling the amount of a component, such as platelets, introduced into a separation chamber to ensure that the density of fluid in the separation chamber does not exceed a particular value. This may provide for collecting purer components. Other embodiments may provide for determining a chamber flow rate based on a concentration of a component in the multi-component fluid, which may then be used to determine a centrifuge speed, to collect purer concentrated components.

A system for controlling sand discharge from a plurality of sand separators each of which has a dump line and an actuated valve apparatus in the dump line. There is a first controller which is operatively connected to the actuated valve assemblies and is configured to open one of the actuated valve assemblies in response to a parameter such as internal pressure in the sand separator. There is a second controller which is connected to the first controller and which is also connected to an actuated discharge valve in a common discharge line to which all of the dump lines are connected. On a command from the first controller to the second controller that a selected one of the actuated valve assemblies is opening, the second controller opens the discharge valve.

A system for controlling sand discharge from a plurality of sand separators each of which has a dump line and an actuated valve apparatus in the dump line. There is a first controller which is operatively connected to the actuated valve assemblies and is configured to open one of the actuated valve assemblies in response to a parameter such as internal pressure in the sand separator. There is a second controller which is connected to the first controller and which is also connected to an actuated discharge valve in a common discharge line to which all of the dump lines are connected. On a command from the first controller to the second controller that a selected one of the actuated valve assemblies is opening, the second controller opens the discharge valve.

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an ultrasonic microbubble generation method, apparatus and system. The apparatus comprises a horn-shaped conductor including an upper horn-shaped body and a lower cylindrical body; the horn-shaped body is provided with a cavity having an upper opening, an upper end of the cavity is fixedly connected with a micropore vibration thin sheet, a micropore array of the micropore vibration thin sheet is corresponding to the upper opening of the cavity, and a side wall of the cavity is provided with a through hole for external gas to enter the cavity; the cylindrical body is provided with a transducing ring and an electrode sheet, an outer side of the cylindrical body is insulated and sealed, and a connection wire of the electrode sheet is led out by a steel pipe and connected with an external ultrasonic oscillation controller.

The embodiments of the present disclosure disclose an ultrasonic microbubble generation method, apparatus and system. The apparatus comprises a horn-shaped conductor including an upper horn-shaped body and a lower cylindrical body; the horn-shaped body is provided with a cavity having an upper opening, an upper end of the cavity is fixedly connected with a micropore vibration thin sheet, a micropore array of the micropore vibration thin sheet is corresponding to the upper opening of the cavity, and a side wall of the cavity is provided with a through hole for external gas to enter the cavity; the cylindrical body is provided with a transducing ring and an electrode sheet, an outer side of the cylindrical body is insulated and sealed, and a connection wire of the electrode sheet is led out by a steel pipe and connected with an external ultrasonic oscillation controller.

A method of separating a flow of multi-phase fluid includes directing the flow through the inlet opening of an enclosed tubular body comprising a tubular sidewall with opposed end walls, one or more axial outlet apertures formed through the end walls, and one or more radial outlet apertures formed through the tubular sidewall at locations spaced from the inlet opening. The method also includes directing the flow of multi-phase fluid onto one or more swirl plates positioned between the inlet opening and the outlet apertures, with the swirl plates having angled surfaces configured to impart a cyclonic motion to the flow so as to initiate separation of the constituents of the multi-phase. The method further includes directing the gas constituent axially outward through the axial outlet aperture and directing the oil constituent and the water constituent radially outward from the tubular body through the one or more radial outlet apertures.

A separator for a gas production facility includes a vessel defining an interior chamber. The vessel is designed to operate at a pressure greater than a pressure of a fluid being produced from a wellbore, the fluid including liquid, gas, sand and debris. The separator includes an inlet through which the fluid being produced from the wellbore is directed into the vessel, an electronically controlled valve in fluid communication with a lower portion of the vessel, and an outlet through which the gas is directed out of the vessel at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the fluid being produced from the wellbore. The separator includes a controller programmed to open, close, or modulate the electronically controlled valve to regulate flow of the liquid, sand and debris out of the lower portion of the vessel in response to a level of the liquid detected within the interior chamber.

A separator for a gas production facility includes a vessel defining an interior chamber. The vessel is designed to operate at a pressure greater than a pressure of a fluid being produced from a wellbore, the fluid including liquid, gas, sand and debris. The separator includes an inlet through which the fluid being produced from the wellbore is directed into the vessel, an electronically controlled valve in fluid communication with a lower portion of the vessel, and an outlet through which the gas is directed out of the vessel at a pressure substantially equal to the pressure of the fluid being produced from the wellbore. The separator includes a controller programmed to open, close, or modulate the electronically controlled valve to regulate flow of the liquid, sand and debris out of the lower portion of the vessel in response to a level of the liquid detected within the interior chamber.