Three-phase separator with self-cleaning function and self-cleaning method

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of oil field surface engineering, and particularly relates to a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function and a self-cleaning method. The three-phase separator comprises a three-phase separator body, a sand washing pump and a sand washing pipeline, the three-phase separator body is connected with an inlet pipeline, a gas supplementing pipeline, an emptying pipeline, an associated gas outlet pipeline, an oil outlet pipeline, an oil pollution discharge pipeline, a produced water pollution discharge pipeline, a produced water outlet manifold formed by converging the two produced water outlet pipelines, a three-phase separator pollution discharge pipeline and a three-phase separator pollution discharge and water removal treatment system pipeline; the oil pollution discharge pipeline, the produced water pollution discharge pipeline and the three-phase separator pollution discharge pipeline are converged into a three-phase separator pollution discharge and water removal treatment system pipeline; each pipeline is connected with a valve; the produced water outlet manifold is connected with the sand washing pipeline through a sand washing pump; a sand discharging opening and a sand washing opening are formed in the three-phase separator; and the exterior of the sand washing opening is connected with a sand washing pipeline. Sand washing is conducted through produced water, sand can be automatically removed, and the manual operation frequency is effectively reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of oilfield surface engineering, and particularly relates to a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function and a self-cleaning method. Background Art

[0002] Most crude oil production is by water injection development. Therefore, the crude oil produced from underground contains produced water. Especially in the middle and late stages of oilfield development, the water cut of crude oil will rise from 30% in the initial stage to 60% - 70%. A large amount of crude oil containing produced water needs to be dehydrated. In the oilfield surface gathering and transportation project, the oil-gas-water three-phase separator is a key equipment for dehydration treatment, and its dehydration effect directly affects the subsequent technological process.

[0003] During the production process, sediment will accumulate at the bottom of the three-phase separator, which directly affects the operation effect of the three-phase separator. The three-phase separators used in oilfield gathering and transportation stations need to be sand-removed and cleaned regularly to ensure normal operation.

[0004] Currently, there are mainly three ways to flush and clean the sand in the three-phase separators used in domestic oilfield gathering and transportation stations: flushing with a sand flushing vehicle, manual sand flushing and cleaning, and self-flow sand flushing of bottom produced water.

[0005] (1) Flushing with a sand flushing vehicle: Through a sand flushing vehicle, a pump, and a water tank, clean water is introduced from the sand flushing port for flushing treatment, and then discharged to the downstream through the sewage outlet. This cleaning method requires shutdown and maintenance, uses a special sand flushing vehicle, introduces external water sources, resulting in waste of water resources, and relevant procedures need to be handled during operation, with a long cycle.

[0006] (2) Manual sand flushing and cleaning: People enter the interior of the three-phase separator through the manhole and manually clean the internal sediment.

[0007] (3) Self-flow sand flushing of bottom produced water: Rely on the bottom water flow for sand flushing. By opening the valve of the bottom sewage outlet, sand discharge is achieved, and manual operation is required to open the valve.

[0008] Currently, these sand flushing and cleaning methods are all manual operations and require shutdown and maintenance to implement, with a low degree of automation. In addition, manual operation is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also if the cleaning is not timely, it will affect the normal production operation of the station.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention proposes a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function and a self-cleaning method. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present invention provides a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function and a self-cleaning method, aiming to provide a device and method that can realize automatic sand flushing and sewage discharge of the three-phase separator, improve the intelligent operation level, ensure the normal operation of the station, reduce the labor intensity of personnel, and achieve self-cleaning of the three-phase separator.

[0011] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0012] A three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function, at least including a three-phase separator body; an inlet pipeline, a make-up gas pipeline, a vent pipeline, an associated gas outlet pipeline, an oil outlet pipeline, an oil sewage pipeline, a produced water sewage pipeline, a produced water outlet header formed by the convergence of two produced water outlet pipelines, a three-phase separator sewage pipeline and a three-phase separator sewage treatment system pipeline are connected to the three-phase separator body; the oil sewage pipeline, the produced water sewage pipeline and the three-phase separator sewage pipeline are connected to the three-phase separator sewage treatment system pipeline; a valve is connected to each pipeline; it also includes a sand washing pump and a sand washing pipeline; a sand discharge port and a sand washing port are opened on the three-phase separator; the outside of the sand washing port is connected to the sand washing pipeline; the produced water outlet header and the sand washing pipeline are connected through the sand washing pump.

[0013] The three-phase separator body adopted is a horizontal separator.

[0014] The sand washing pipeline is connected to the lower part on the side of the three-phase separator.

[0015] The sand washing pipeline is connected to the lower part on the side of the three-phase separator through a connector; the connector is a circular pipe, and its connection port with the three-phase separator is an arc-shaped port matching the outer wall of the three-phase separator.

[0016] The axis line of the connector and the tangent line of the connection point of the connector and the three-phase separator body are collinear.

[0017] The sand discharge port is arranged at the central position of the lower bottom surface of the three-phase separator body.

[0018] It also includes a water spray pipe connection; the water spray pipe is connected to the inside of the sand washing port, and a flushing nozzle is connected to the water spray pipe; the flushing nozzle is arranged opposite to the sand washing port.

[0019] The water spray pipe is arranged horizontally; a plurality of flushing nozzles are evenly connected to the water spray pipe; a plurality of sand washing ports are evenly arranged; each sand washing port corresponds to one flushing nozzle.

[0020] It also includes a PLC controller and a liquid level gauge; the liquid level gauge is connected inside the three-phase separator body; the liquid level gauge, the sand washing pump and the PLC controller are electrically connected.

[0021] A self-cleaning method for a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function includes the following steps:

[0022] Step 1: When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body is higher than the preset height, the sand washing pump is started;

[0023] Step 2: The produced fluid in the three-phase separator body is transported to the sand washing pipeline through a sand washing pump and enters the three-phase separator body through the sand washing port for sand washing.

[0024] Step 3: When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body is lower than the preset height, the sand washing pump stops.

[0025] Beneficial effects:

[0026] (1) In the present invention, the produced water is introduced into the sand washing pipeline through a sand washing pump for sand washing and self-cleaning. Without introducing an external water source, its function can be realized, water resources are saved, and the operation cost is saved by 120,000 yuan per year.

[0027] (2) In the present invention, the three-phase separator can automatically control the process through a PLC controller, greatly reducing the frequency of manual operation, and the labor cost can be saved by 240,000 yuan per year.

[0028] (3) The present invention optimizes the process and can operate continuously with high safety and reliability.

[0029] (4) The present invention is applicable to dehydration stations and combined stations and has a wide application prospect.

[0030] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to understand the technical means of the present invention more clearly and implement it according to the content of the specification, the following takes the preferred embodiment of the present invention and describes it in detail in conjunction with the drawings as follows. Description of the drawings

[0031] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 It is the process automatic control flow chart of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 2 It is the schematic diagram of the sand washing port in the present invention.

[0034] Figure 3 It is the schematic diagram of the setting position of the sand washing port in the present invention.

[0035] Figure 4 It is the right view or left view of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 5 It is the schematic diagram of the setting of the water spraying pipe and the flushing nozzle in the present invention.

[0037] In the figure: 1. Import pipeline; 2. Make-up gas pipeline; 3. Vent pipeline; 4. Associated gas outlet pipeline; 5. Oil outlet pipeline; 6. Oil sewage pipeline; 7. Produced water sewage pipeline; 8. Produced water outlet pipeline; 9. Produced water outlet manifold; 10. Three-phase separator sewage pipeline; 11. Sand washing pump; 12. Three-phase separator sewage treatment system pipeline; 13. Sand washing pipeline; 14. Water spraying pipe; 15. Scouring nozzle; 16. Three-phase separator body; 17. Sand washing port; 18. Sand discharging port. Specific embodiments

[0038] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] Embodiment 1:

[0040] According to Figures 1 - 5 A three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function shown in the figure, which at least includes a three-phase separator body 16; an import pipeline 1, a make-up gas pipeline 2, a vent pipeline 3, an associated gas outlet pipeline 4, an oil outlet pipeline 5, an oil sewage pipeline 6, a produced water sewage pipeline 7, a produced water outlet manifold 9 formed by the convergence of two produced water outlet pipelines 8, a three-phase separator sewage pipeline 10 and a three-phase separator sewage treatment system pipeline 12 are connected to the three-phase separator body 16; the oil sewage pipeline 6, the produced water sewage pipeline 7 and the three-phase separator sewage pipeline 10 flow into the three-phase separator sewage treatment system pipeline 12; a valve is connected to each pipeline; it is characterized in that: it further includes a sand washing pump 11 and a sand washing pipeline 13; a sand discharging port 18 and a sand washing port 17 are opened on the three-phase separator body 16; the produced water outlet manifold 9 and the sand washing pipeline 13 are connected through the sand washing pump 11; the outside of the sand washing port 17 is connected to the sand washing pipeline 13.

[0041] In actual use, the present invention improves the existing three-phase separator, that is, by adding a sand washing pump 11, a sand washing pipeline 13 and a sand discharging port 18, so that the present invention can introduce the produced water into the sand washing pipeline 13 through the sand washing pump for sand washing and self-cleaning, without introducing an external water source, the function can be realized, and water resources are saved, and the operation cost is saved by 120,000 yuan / year.

[0042] The present invention has optimized the process, and can operate continuously with high safety and reliability. The present invention is applicable to dehydration stations and combined stations, and has a wide application prospect.

[0043] Embodiment 2:

[0044] According to Figures 1 - 5The three-phase separator with self-cleaning function shown in the figure is different from the first embodiment in that the three-phase separator body 16 is a horizontal separator.

[0045] In actual use, the three-phase separator body 16 adopts a horizontal separator, which makes the self-cleaning function of the three-phase separator more effective.

[0046] Example 3:

[0047] According to Figure 1 The three-phase separator with self-cleaning function shown in the figure is different from the first embodiment in that the sand flushing pipeline 13 is connected to the lower side of the three-phase separator.

[0048] In actual use, the sand flushing pipeline 13 is connected to the lower side of the three-phase separator, so that the flushing water entering the three-phase separator can well flush the mud and sand deposited at the bottom of the three-phase separator. The washed mud and sand automatically fall on the bottom surface of the three-phase separator and are discharged through the sand discharge port 18.

[0049] Example 4:

[0050] According to Figure 1 The three-phase separator with self-cleaning function shown in the figure is different from the first embodiment in that the sand flushing pipeline 13 is connected to the lower side of the three-phase separator through a connector; the connector is a circular tube, and its connection port with the three-phase separator is an arc-shaped port matching the outer side wall of the three-phase separator.

[0051] Furthermore, the axis of the connector and the tangent line of the connection point between the connector and the three-phase separator body 16 are collinear.

[0052] In actual use, the connector adopts the above technical solution, which can make the produced water fully mixed when entering the three-phase separator without sedimentation, making the sand cleaning effect better.

[0053] Example 5:

[0054] According to Figure 2 、 Figure 4 and Figure 5 The three-phase separator with self-cleaning function shown in the figure is different from the first embodiment in that the sand discharge port 18 is arranged at the center of the bottom surface of the three-phase separator body 16.

[0055] ​​In actual use, when it enters the three-phase separator body 16 through the sand washing pipeline 13, it flushes the sediment at the bottom of the three-phase separator. The flushed sediment automatically falls on the bottom surface of the three-phase separator and is then discharged through the sand discharge port 18. The sand discharge port 18 is arranged at the center of the lower bottom surface of the three-phase separator body 16. Since the side wall of the three-phase separator body 16 is arc-shaped, the sediment automatically gathers at the center of the lower bottom surface of the three-phase separator body 16, resulting in the best discharge effect.

[0056] Embodiment Six:

[0057] According to Figure 5 A three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function as shown, which is different from Embodiment One in that: it further includes a connection to a water spraying pipe 14; the water spraying pipe 14 is connected to the inside of the sand washing port 17, and a flushing nozzle 15 is connected to the water spraying pipe 14; the flushing nozzle 15 is arranged opposite to the sand washing port 17.

[0058] In actual use, the produced water entering the water spraying pipe 14 has a cleaning and flushing effect on the sand washing port 17, preventing the sediment washed off from the bottom side wall from gathering at the sand washing port 17 and blocking the sand washing port 17.

[0059] The arrangement of the flushing nozzle 15 on the water spraying pipe 14 makes the flushing effect better.

[0060] Embodiment Seven:

[0061] According to Figure 5 A three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function as shown, which is different from Embodiment Six in that: the water spraying pipe 14 is horizontally arranged; a plurality of flushing nozzles 15 are evenly connected to the water spraying pipe 14; a plurality of sand washing ports 17 are evenly arranged; and each sand washing port 17 corresponds to a flushing nozzle 15.

[0062] In actual use, adopting the above technical solution makes the flushing effect better.

[0063] Embodiment Eight:

[0064] According to Figures 1 - 5 A three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function as shown, which is different from Embodiment Six in that: it further includes a PLC controller and a liquid level gauge; the liquid level gauge is connected inside the three-phase separator body 16; the liquid level gauge, the sand washing pump 11 and the PLC controller are electrically connected.

[0065] In actual use, the PLC controller obtains the liquid level data in the three-phase separator body 16 through a liquid level gauge. When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body 16 is higher than the preset height, the PLC controller sends an instruction to the sand washing pump 11 to start it; then the produced fluid in the three-phase separator body 16 is transported to the sand washing pipeline 13 through the sand washing pump 11 and enters the three-phase separator body 16 through the sand washing port 17 for sand washing; when the liquid level in the three-phase separator body 16 is lower than the preset height, the sand washing pump 11 stops; and so on, to realize the automatic self-cleaning of the three-phase separator.

[0066] The adoption of the technical solution of the present invention enables the three-phase separator to automatically control the process through the PLC controller, greatly reducing the frequency of manual operation and saving 240,000 yuan in labor costs per year.

[0067] Embodiment Nine:

[0068] According to Figures 1 - 5 As shown, a self-cleaning method for a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function includes the following steps.

[0069] Step 1: When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body 16 is higher than the preset height, the sand washing pump 11 starts.

[0070] Step 2: The produced fluid in the three-phase separator body 16 is transported to the sand washing pipeline 13 through the sand washing pump 11 and enters the three-phase separator body 16 through the sand washing port 17 for sand washing.

[0071] Step 3: When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body 16 is lower than the preset height, the sand washing pump 11 stops.

[0072] The present invention transports the produced water of the three-phase separator to the sand washing port, sets high and low liquid level interlock control, realizes the self-cleaning of the three-phase separator; the recycled use of the produced water eliminates the need to introduce external water sources, greatly solves the water resource problem, and saves production costs.

[0073] The present invention optimizes the process and can operate continuously, not only with high safety and reliability, but also improving the production efficiency.

[0074] The present invention is applicable to dehydration stations and combined stations and has a wide application prospect.

[0075] Without conflict, those skilled in the art can combine the relevant technical features in the above examples according to the actual situation to achieve the corresponding technical effects, and the specific combinations are not elaborated herein one by one.

[0076] It should be noted that all directional indications (such as up, down, left, right, front, back...) in the embodiments of the present invention are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement conditions between components in a specific posture (as shown in the drawings). If the specific posture changes, the directional indications will also change accordingly.

[0077] In addition, the descriptions involving "first", "second", etc. in the present invention are only for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature.

[0078] As described above, these are only the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The present invention will not be limited to these embodiments shown herein, but rather should conform to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solutions of the present invention.

Claims

1. A three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function, comprising at least a three-phase separator body (16); the three-phase separator body (16) is connected with an inlet pipeline (1), an air supply pipeline (2), a venting pipeline (3), an associated gas outlet pipeline (4), an oil outlet pipeline (5), an oil sewage pipeline (6), a produced water sewage pipeline (7), a produced water outlet manifold (9) formed by two produced water outlet pipelines (8), a three-phase separator sewage pipeline (10) and a three-phase separator sewage drainage treatment system pipeline (12); the oil sewage pipeline (6), the produced water sewage pipeline (7) and the three-phase separator sewage pipeline (10) are merged into the three-phase separator sewage drainage treatment system pipeline (12); each pipeline is connected with a valve; characterized in that: It also includes a sand flushing pump (11) and a sand flushing pipeline (13); the three-phase separator body (16) is provided with a sand discharge port (18) and a sand flushing port (17); the produced water outlet manifold (9) and the sand flushing pipeline (13) are connected via the sand flushing pump (11); and the outside of the sand flushing port (17) is connected to the sand flushing pipeline (13).

2. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The three-phase separator body (16) is a horizontal separator.

3. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sand flushing pipeline (13) is connected to the lower side of the three-phase separator.

4. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sand flushing pipeline (13) is connected to the lower side of the three-phase separator through a connector; the connector is a circular tube, and its connection port with the three-phase separator is an arc-shaped port matching the outer side wall of the three-phase separator.

5. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that: The axis line of the connector and the tangent line of the connection point between the connector and the three-phase separator body (16) are collinear.

6. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The sand discharge port (18) is arranged at the center of the lower bottom surface of the three-phase separator body (16).

7. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a water spray pipe (14) connection; the water spray pipe (14) is connected to the inside of the sand flushing port (17); the water spray pipe (14) is connected to a flushing nozzle (15); the flushing nozzle (15) is arranged opposite to the sand flushing port (17).

8. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The water spray pipe (14) is arranged horizontally; a plurality of flushing nozzles (15) are evenly connected to the water spray pipe (14); a plurality of sand flushing ports (17) are evenly arranged; and each sand flushing port (17) corresponds to a flushing nozzle (15).

9. A three-phase separator with self-cleaning function as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a PLC controller and a liquid level meter; the liquid level meter is connected inside the three-phase separator body (16); the liquid level meter, the sand flushing pump (11) are connected to the PLC controller via electrical signals.

10. A self-cleaning method for a three-phase separator with a self-cleaning function according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that: The following steps are included: Step 1: When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body (16) is higher than a preset height, the sand flushing pump (11) is started; Step 2: The produced material in the three-phase separator body (16) is transported to the sand flushing pipeline (13) through the sand flushing pump (11), and enters the three-phase separator body (16) through the sand flushing port (17) for sand flushing; Step 3: When the liquid level in the three-phase separator body (16) is lower than a preset height, the sand flushing pump (11) stops.

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