Venturi Helical Desander for Multi-Stage Sand Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sand particulates clog downhole and surface equipment in hydrocarbon wellbores, leading to frequent equipment failures, reduced production, and costly maintenance, as existing systems are ineffective in removing particulates of multiple diameters in multiple stages.
Innovation Solution
A desander system comprising a dip tube nipple, base tubing with perforations, a screen jacket, and a Venturi centrifugal helical desander that filters wellbore fluid in two stages, using a screen jacket for initial particulate separation and a Venturi tube with spiral fins to create a vortex for secondary separation, effectively removing particulates and extending equipment life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-stage sand removal system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability is poor because it cannot remove particulates of multiple diameters effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The desander system is divided into multiple stages: a first stage using a screen jacket to remove larger particulates, and a second stage using a Venturi centrifugal helical desander to remove smaller particulates. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific particle sizes, improving overall reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from simple linear flow to multi-dimensional separation by introducing the Venturi tube with spiral fins that create a vortex, adding rotational and centrifugal dimensions to the separation process. This enables effective removal of particulates across multiple diameter ranges through different separation mechanisms.
2Productivity
If sand is pumped to the surface without effective removal, then the production flow is maintained, but equipment failure increases due to sand clogging and sand cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The desander system performs preliminary removal of sand and particulates from the hydrocarbon stream before the fluid reaches surface equipment. By pre-separating the harmful particulates in the wellbore, the system protects downstream equipment from clogging and cutting, maintaining both productivity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The desander system acts as an intermediary between the production wellbore and surface equipment, providing a separation function that cleans the hydrocarbon stream. This intermediary role prevents direct contact between sand-laden fluid and vulnerable surface equipment, reducing failure rates while maintaining production flow.
3Reliability
If frequent equipment retrieval is performed to remove clogged sand, then equipment reliability is maintained, but loss of time and production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The desander system continuously removes sand and particulates in the wellbore before they can accumulate to clogging levels. This preliminary action prevents the need for frequent equipment retrieval operations, maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss associated with maintenance interventions.
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 significantly reduces equipment failures, increases hydrocarbon production by minimizing clogging, and extends well run time by effectively removing particulates of various diameters, thereby reducing the need for costly and dangerous equipment retrieval and minimizing toxic spills.
Implementation Method 1
A screen jacket can be mounted over the base tubing perforations between the first and second weld rings
Implementation Method 2
The desander tube can be configured to flow wellbore fluid over the outside of the Venturi tube causing a vortex
Implementation Method 3
A Venturi centrifugal helical desander can have a Venturi tube with an outer tube surface and an inner wall
Data Source
AI summary
A desander system for a wellbore for separating wellbore fluid from particulate. The system having a dip tube nipple, a dip tube, base tubing connecting around the dip tube having base tubing perforations, two collars affixed to the base tubing, two weld rings affixed to the base tubing, a screen jacket mounted over the base tubing perforations, and a Venturi centrifugal helical desander having a Venturi tube with a bore connected to the base tubing. The Venturi tube having a plurality of spiral fins configured to flow particulate around the tube and a desander tube connected to the Venturi tube for flowing wellbore fluid over the outside of the Venturi tube causing a vortex while simultaneously allowing particulate to fall out while simultaneously allowing cleaned fluid to flow up the bore.