Apparatus and method for separating solid particles from liquids

Claim 1

A downhole tubing string adapted to be positioned within a well bore for removing liquids from the well and comprising: a tubular body extending within the well bore; and a separation device connected to said tubular body adjacent the lower end thereof for separating solid particles from liquids so that the separated solid particles are not forced to a surface location; said separation device including; an outer tubular member and a concentric inner tubular member defining an annulus between said inner and outer members; fluid inlet means for said outer tubular member in fluid communication with said annulus; means blocking fluid flow upwardly from said annulus; and a spiral guide in said annulus between said tubular members and below said fluid inlet means for directing solid particles received from said fluid inlet means downwardly in a helical motion for settling of said solid particles below said inner tubular member with the separated liquid flowing upwardly from the lower end of said inner tubular member through said inner tubular member to a surface location, the cross sectional area of the helical path along the spiral guide as measured at right angles to the helical flow path decreasing between the upper end and the lower end of said guide thereby to provide a relatively smooth flow at a progressively increasing velocity.

Claim 21

A method for separating solid particles from liquids in well fluids of a bore hole for the pumping of the separated liquids from the bore hole; said method comprising the following steps: providing a separation device adjacent the lower end of a downhole pipe string with the separation device having concentric inner and outer tubular members for defining an annulus therebetween; providing a fluid inlet in said outer tubular member in fluid communication with said annulus to permit the flow of well fluids with entrained solid particles through said fluid inlet into said annulus; providing guide means in said annulus below said fluid inlet extending about said inner tubular member in a downward spiral path; directing said well fluids from said fluid inlet along said guide means in a spiral path about said inner tubular member to impart a helical motion to said well fluids for movement to a separation chamber below said inner tubular member; collecting solid particles separated from said well fluids adjacent the bottom of said separation chamber; pumping the liquid in said well fluids separated from said solid particles upwardly through said inner tubular member; providing a separate gas passage for said inner tubular member in fluid communication with said annulus and extending upwardly to a surface location; removing gas from said well fluids at a position adjacent the lower end of said inner tubular member for flow into said gas passage for removal from said bore hole; and providing check valve means in said separate gas passage to block a reverse flow of gas from said inner tubular member for maintaining an amount of gas below said check valve means.

Claim 22

A method for separating solid particles from liquids in well fluids of a bore hole for the pumping of the separated liquids from the bore hole; said method comprising the following steps: providing a separation device adjacent the lower end of a downhole pipe string with the separation device having concentric inner and outer tubular members for defining an annulus therebetween; providing a fluid inlet in said outer tubular member in fluid communication with said annulus to permit the flow of well fluids with entrained solid particles through said fluid inlet into said annulus; providing guide means in said annulus below said fluid inlet extending about said inner tubular member in a downward spiral path; directing said well fluids from said fluid inlet along said guide means in a spiral path about said inner tubular member to impart a helical motion to said well fluids for movement to a separation chamber below said inner tubular member; collecting solid particles separated from said well fluids adjacent the bottom of said separation chamber; pumping the liquid in said well fluids separated from said solid particles upwardly through said inner tubular member; providing a separate gas passage for said inner tubular member in fluid communication with said annulus and extending upwardly to a surface location; removing gas from said well fluids at a position adjacent the lower end of said inner tubular member for flow into said gas passage for removal from said bore hole; and providing check valve means in said separate gas passage to block a reverse flow of gas from said inner tubular member for maintaining an amount of gas below said check valve means.