Proppant recovery system
US7040418B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 30, 2002 |
| Grant date | May 9, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 28, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B21/01
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An improved method for removing proppant from fluid used in an oil and gas well for reuse in future operations. The proppant is separated from the well fluid and transported to a materials collection tank. A crane then transports the materials collection tank onto a processing boat. On the processing boat, the proppant is vacuumed from the materials collection tank to a hopper. The proppant is then discharged from the hopper into a holding tank for treatment and reuse. In a first alternative embodiment, two hoppers are positioned above each other so that the proppant can be added to the upper hopper and then fed by gravity to the lower hopper. A valving arrangement maintains vacuum within the interior of at least one hopper at all times to provide a continuous vacuum operation. A conduit discharges from the lower hopper into the holding tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.