Backflow Collection Vessel with Liquid-Gas Seal and Auger
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in the oil and gas industry is managing backflow from wellbores, which includes unwanted fluids, gases, and particulates such as hydrogen sulfide, frac sand, and salts, post-fracturing, where existing systems struggle to effectively collect and separate these components without releasing pressurized gases.
Innovation Solution
A backflow collection system comprising a collection vessel with an upper and lower section, equipped with a side opening for receiving backflow and a discharge port for pressurized gas, along with an elevated auger that promotes the separation of solid and liquid matter, utilizing a housing and flighting configuration to prevent gas escape and efficiently remove solids from the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing backflow collection systems are used, then backflow can be collected, but pressurized gases cannot be effectively discharged and solids cannot be efficiently removed
Solution Approach 1:
The collection system is divided into distinct functional sections: a collection vessel for receiving backflow, a discharge port for gas removal, and an elevated auger for solid matter removal. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of backflow management independently, improving overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the elevated auger) between the collection vessel and the external environment to handle solid matter. This intermediary device enables controlled removal of solids without compromising the containment and discharge of pressurized gases, resolving the conflict between solid removal and gas containment.
2Quantity of substance
If backflow is collected without separation, then all components are contained, but solid and liquid matter cannot be effectively separated for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The elevated auger extracts solid matter from the collected backflow and transports it to a separate location. This extraction mechanism enables the separation of solids from liquids, allowing frac sand to be reused while liquids can be disposed of or processed separately, improving operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The auger is positioned at an elevated location relative to the collection vessel, utilizing vertical dimensionality to facilitate solid matter removal. This dimensional arrangement enables gravity-assisted separation and simplifies the operation of removing solids without interfering with liquid containment.
3Device complexity
If frac sand is not removed from backflow, then collection is simplified, but sand decontamination is required for reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The elevated auger performs preliminary removal of frac sand from the backflow immediately after collection. By removing solids upfront, the system prevents contamination accumulation and enables direct reuse of the sand without requiring subsequent decontamination processes, reducing substance loss.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively collects and separates solid and liquid matter from backflow, preventing gas escape and allowing for the safe discharge of pressurized gases, thereby addressing the issue of hydrogen sulfide and other contaminants, and enabling the reuse of frac sand without the need for decontamination.
Implementation Method 1
The collection vessel is 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
Implementation Method 2
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
Data Source
AI summary
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.