Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CYCLONIC STRAINER
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
Serial No. 61/240,476
titled CYCLONIC NIPPLE DEVICE FOR A WELL INTAKE which was filed on September
8,
2009 by Michael Brent Ford.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates generally to fluid and gas well
apparatuses and, more
particularly, to a cyclonic strainer for a well intake that provides for
improved separation of gas
and fluid in naturally flowing wells during mechanical pumping operations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In completed fluid and gas wells, the wellbore can be lined with
piping known as
tubing. The tubing can extend from the bottom of the wellbore and be opened to
the earth's
surface. In a naturally flowing well, formation pressure typically forces
fluid and gas through
the tubing, bringing it to the surface. The natural pressure in a completed
well eventually
diminishes, however, and when this occurs, pumping systems can be installed in
the tubing to
mechanically remove oil or other fluid from beneath the earth's surface.
[0004] An oil well pumping system begins with an above-ground pumping
unit, which is
commonly referred to as a "pumpjack," "nodding donkey," "horsehead pump,"
"beam pump,"
"sucker rod pump," and the like. The pumping unit can create a reciprocating
up and down
=
pumping action that moves the oil or other substance being pumped out of the
ground and into a
flow line, from which the oil is then taken to a storage tank or other such
structure.
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[0005] A string of sucker rods is inserted into the tubing, which
ultimately can be indirectly
coupled at its north end to the above-ground pumping unit. The string of
sucker rods can be
coupled at its south end to a subsurface pump that is located at or near the
fluid in the oil well.
The subsurface pump has a number of basic components, including a barrel and a
plunger. The
plunger operates within the barrel, and the barrel, in turn, is positioned
within the tubing. It is
common for the barrel to include a standing valve and the plunger to include a
traveling valve.
The standing valve can have a ball therein for the purpose of regulating the
passage of oil from
down-hole into the pump, allowing the pumped matter to be moved northward out
of the system
and into the flow line, while preventing the pumped matter from dropping back
southward into
the hole. Oil can be permitted to pass through the standing valve and into the
pump by the
movement of the ball off its seat, and oil is prevented from dropping back
into the hole by the
seating of the ball.
[00061 South of the standing valve are a number of basic components,
typically including
such items as a seating nipple and a strainer or gas anchor, as well as other
components. North
of the standing valve, coupled to the sucker rods, can be the traveling valve.
The traveling valve
can regulate the passage of oil from within the pump northward in the
direction of the flow line,
while preventing the pumped oil from dropping back southward, in the direction
of the standing
valve and hole.
[0007] Oil can be pumped from a hole through a series of downstrokes and
upstrokes of the
pump when motion is imparted by the above-ground pumping unit. During the
upstroke,
formation pressure causes the ball in the standing valve to move upward,
allowing the oil to pass
through the standing valve and into the barrel of the oil pump. This oil can
be held in place
between the standing valve and the traveling valve. In the traveling valve,
the ball can be located
in the seated position, held there by the pressure from the oil that has been
previously pumped.
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[0008] On the downstroke, the ball in the traveling valve unseats,
permitting the oil that has
passed through the standing valve to pass therethrough. Also during the
downstroke, the ball in
the standing valve seats, preventing pumped oil from moving back down into the
hole. The
process repeats itself again and again, with oil essentially being moved in
stages from the hole, to
above the standing valve and in the oil pump, to above the traveling valve and
out of the oil
pump. As the oil pump fills, the oil passes through the pump and into the
tubing. As the tubing
is filled, the oil passes into the flow line, and is then taken to the storage
tank or other such
structure.
[00091 A number of problems can occur with fluid and gas production from
wells. Fluid that
is pumped from the ground typically includes solid impurities, as well as
water and gas. With
respect to naturally flowing wells, when relatively large volumes of water or
other fluid enter the
formation, the weight of this fluid can create a plug effect in the tubing,
thereby slowing down or
even prematurely shutting off the flow of gas to the surface. In order to
continue gas flow,
mechanical means, such as a pumping system, would then be required.
[0010] Furthermore, once the natural pressure in the well has depleted
and a pumping system
is employed to remove the subterranean fluid and gas, other problems can
occur. When the
pumping system is actuated, fluid and gas migrate from the wellbore to the
pumping system's
intake, which comprises an area of relatively lower pressure than that of the
formation. Gas that
enters the pumping system can cause a condition known as "gas lock," and can
slow down or
even shut down production. Intake areas of pumping systems generally include
nipple or strainer
devices to help control the amount of gas that enters the pumping system.
Often, however, gas is
still allowed to enter, such that the intake of fluid is substantially reduced
or even halted resulting
in undesired affects.
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[0011] The present application addresses these issues encountered in
fluid and gas
production and provides other, related, advantages.
SUMMARY
[0012] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in
a simplified form
that are further described below in the DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION. This
summary
is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is
it intended to be used
as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0013] In accordance with one embodiment of the present application, a
cyclonic strainer is
provided. The cyclonic strainer can include an elongated member having a
channel formed
longitudinally therein. In addition, the cyclonic strainer can include a
plurality of apertures
extending through the elongated member angled downwardly into the channel and
away from a
center of the channel.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present application, a method for
controlling gas from entering into a pump system is provided. The method can
include providing
a cyclonic strainer comprising: an elongated member having a channel formed
longitudinally
therein; and a plurality of apertures extending through said elongated member
angled
downwardly into said channel and away from a center of said channel; coupling
said cyclonic
strainer to a subsurface pump; utilizing said subsurface pump, pumping fluid;
and centrifuging
said fluid against an interior wall of said strainer and allowing gas to be
driven through a center
of said strainer with said gas being diverted northward to a surface.
[0014] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
application, an apparatus is
provided. The apparatus can include a cylinder with a channel formed therein.
In addition, the
apparatus can include a tubing string coupled to a north end of the cylinder.
The apparatus can
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also include a plurality of ports on a body of the cylinder angled southward
to the channel in a
direction away from a center of the channel. The apparatus can include a tail
pipe coupled to
a south end of the cylinder.
10014a1 In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a
cyclonic strainer
comprising: an elongated member having a northern end and a southern end, only
one channel
running longitudinally down a central area of the elongated member; a
plurality of apertures
extending through said elongated member into said channel in said central area
of said
elongated member, wherein the plurality of apertures are angled downwardly at
an angle
between zero and sixty degrees toward the southern end and away from a center
of said
channel; and a hollow tail pipe extending from the southern end, wherein the
tail pipe has a
smaller diameter than the elongated member; wherein the plurality of apertures
are angled to
allow gas to be sheared away from fluids to prevent gas from entering the
channel through the
apertures and to cause gas to travel northward while bypassing the apertures,
wherein the
plurality of apertures are offset and extend asymmetrically from said center
of said channel in
order to impart a cyclonic rotation on said fluids as they pass through said
apertures and travel
northward within said center channel, wherein said apertures are adapted to
cause said fluids
to flow through said apertures in both a downward direction and an
asymmetrical direction
from said center of said channel causing the gas to be sheared away from the
fluids; wherein
fluid also flows into said channel of said cyclonic strainer through said tail
pipe in an upward
vertical direction; wherein said fluid that flows into said channel of said
cyclonic strainer
through said tail pipe joins with fluid that flows into said channel of said
cyclonic strainer
through said apertures so that all of said fluid within said channel is
centrifuged against an
interior wall of said channel; and wherein gas from said fluid that flows
through said tail pipe
is directed toward said center of said channel and travels northward through
said center of said
channel.
[00141A In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided an
apparatus
comprising: a cylinder with only one channel formed down a central area
therein; a tubing
string coupled to a north end of said cylinder; a plurality of ports on a body
of said cylinder
angled southward at an angle between zero and sixty degrees to said channel in
a direction
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away from a center of said channel; and a hollow tail pipe coupled to a south
end of said
cylinder, wherein the tail pipe has a smaller diameter than the elongated
member; wherein the
plurality of ports are angled to allow gas to be sheared away from fluids to
prevent gas from
entering the channel through the ports and to cause gas to travel northward
while bypassing
the ports, wherein the plurality of apertures are offset and extend
asymmetrically from said
center of said channel in order to impart a cyclonic rotation on said fluids
so that said fluids
are centrifuged against an interior wall of said body of said cylinder as they
pass through said
apertures and travel northward, wherein said apertures are adapted to cause
said fluids to flow
through said apertures in both a downward direction and an asymmetrical
direction from said
center of said channel causing the gas to be sheared away from the fluids;
wherein fluid also
flows into said channel of said cylinder through said tail pipe in an upward
vertical direction;
wherein said fluid that flows into said channel of said cylinder through said
tail pipe joins
with fluid that flows into said channel of said cylinder through said
apertures so that all of said
fluid within said channel is centrifuged against said interior wall of said
body of said cylinder;
and wherein said cyclonic rotation on said fluids also causes gas from said
fluid that flows
through said tail pipe to be directed toward said center of said channel and
travel northward
through said center of said channel.
10014e] In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a
cyclonic strainer
comprising: an elongated member having a northern end and a southern end, only
one channel
running longitudinally down a central area of the elongated member; a
plurality of apertures
extending through said elongated member into said channel in said central area
of said
elongated member, wherein the plurality of apertures are angled downwardly at
an angle
between zero and sixty degrees toward the southern end and away from a center
of said
channel; and a hollow tail pipe extending from the southern end, wherein the
tail pipe has a
smaller diameter than the elongated member; wherein the apertures have an
angle that causes
shear between gas and fluids, prevents gas from entering the channel through
the apertures,
and forces the fluids in an opposite direction from the gas that travels
northward while
bypassing the apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures are offset and
extend
asymmetrically from said center of said channel in order to impart a cyclonic
rotation on said
fluids so that said fluids are centrifuged against an interior wall of said
channel as they pass
Sa
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through said apertures and travel northward, wherein said apertures are
adapted to cause said
fluids to flow through said apertures in both a downward direction and an
asymmetrical
direction from said center of said channel causing the gas to be sheared away
from the fluids,
wherein the northern end of said cyclonic strainer is coupled to a southern
portion of a seating
strainer section of a subsurface pump, the cyclonic strainer thereby forming
an intake area of
the subsurface pump; wherein fluid also flows into said channel of said
cyclonic strainer
through said tail pipe in an upward vertical direction; wherein said fluid
that flows into said
channel of said cyclonic strainer through said tail pipe joins with fluid that
flows into said
channel of said cyclonic strainer through said apertures so that all of said
fluid within said
channel is centrifuged against said interior wall of said channel; and wherein
said cyclonic
rotation on said fluids also causes gas from said fluid that flows through
said tail pipe to be
directed toward said center of said channel and travel northward through said
center of said
channel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] The novel features believed to be characteristic of the application
are set forth
in the appended claims. In the description that follow, like parts are marked
throughout the
specification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. The drawing
figures are not
necessarily drawn to scale and certain figures can be shown in exaggerated or
generalized
form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. The application itself,
however, as well as a
preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, can be best
understood by
reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments
when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary cyclonic
strainer, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present application;
[0017] FIGURE 2 is a side view of the exemplary cyclonic strainer of FIGURE
1;
[0018] FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary cyclonic
strainer, taken
through line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;
5b
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[0019] FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary cyclonic
strainer, taken
through line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;
[0020] FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary cyclonic
strainer, taken
through line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;
[0021] FIGURE 6 is a top view of the exemplary cyclonic strainer of FIGURE
1,
with ports thereof shown in phantom;
5c
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[0022] FIGURE 7 is a bottom view of the exemplary cyclonic strainer of
FIGURE 1, with
ports thereof shown in phantom;
[0023] FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary plug component to
be utilized with
the cyclonic nipple device, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
application;
[0024] FIGURE 9 is a side view of the exemplary plug component of FIGURE
8;
[0025] FIGURE 10 is another side view of the exemplary plug component of
FIGURE 8;
[0026] FIGURE 11 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary plug
component, taken
through line 11-11 of FIGURE 10;
[0027] FIGURE 12 is a top view of the exemplary plug component of FIGURE
8;
[0028] FIGURE 13 is a bottom view of the exemplary plug component of
FIGURE 8;
[0029] FIGURE 14 is a side view of an embodiment of an exemplary pumping
apparatus
having the exemplary cyclonic strainer of the present application positioned
thereon; and
[0030] FIGURE 15 is side view of an exemplary cyclonic strainer, in
accordance with an
embodiment of the present application.
DESCRIPTION OF THE APPLICATION
[0031] The foregoing description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the relevant art
to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various
modifications to these
embodiments can be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and
generic principles
defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not
intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded
the full scope
consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in
the singular is not
intended to mean "one and only one unless specifically stated, but rather "one
or more." All
structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various
embodiments described
throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those
of ordinary skill in
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the relevant art are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover,
nothing disclosed
herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such
disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims.
[0032] The present application relates to a cyclonic strainer for a
well intake that provides for
improved separation of gas and fluid. The strainer can include an elongated
member having a
channel formed longitudinally therein. A plurality of apertures can extend
through the elongated
member angled downwardly into the channel and away from a center of the
channel allowing for
a better shear between gas and fluids. The angle of the ports can cause fluid
to be forced in an
opposite direction, resulting in gases and fluids shearing more quickly and
cleanly, due to kinetic
energy. The angle of the ports can be varied to accommodate different
conditions in various well
environments. In well environments in which gaseous conditions are extreme, it
can be desired
for the ports to be sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater angle than
for well
environments in which gaseous conditions are not as extreme.
[0033] Turning now to FIGURES 1-4, a cyclonic strainer device
("cyclonic strainer 10")
consistent with an embodiment of the present application is shown. In
describing the structure of
the cyclonic strainer 10 and its operation, the terms "north" and "south" are
utilized. The term
"north" is intended to refer to that end of the cyclonic strainer 10 that is
more proximate the
pumping unit, while the term "south" is intended to refer to that end of the
cyclonic strainer 10
that is more distal the pumping unit, or "down hole." Furthermore, while
strainer and/or nipple
are used herein, those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that other
terms can be
interchanged and are within the scope of this application.
[0034] The cyclonic strainer 10 generally includes a substantially
cylindrical shaped device
having a north end 12, a body 14, a south end 16, and a longitudinal channel
18 running
therethrough. The cyclonic strainer 10 can be constructed of various lengths,
as can be desired
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for various well configurations and conditions. The body 14 of the cyclonic
strainer 10 can
include an exterior wall 20 and an interior wall 22. The cyclonic strainer 10
is preferably a one-
piece structure, although it can be desired for various components of the
cyclonic strainer 10 to
be separate pieces that can be coupled together to form a one-piece unit. The
cyclonic strainer
is preferably composed of a hardened material capable of withstanding
conditions present in
typical well environments. In a preferred embodiment, the cyclonic strainer 10
is composed of
brass. However, other suitable materials can be used for the cyclonic strainer
10.
[0035] In one embodiment, the cyclonic strainer 10 is adapted to be
coupled at its north end
12 to a southern portion of a subsurface pump 100 as shown in FIGURE 14, for
example, and
further discussed below. In such an embodiment, the cyclonic strainer 10 thus
forms an intake
area. In one embodiment, threading 24 is provided proximate the north end 12
of the cyclonic
strainer 10 for coupling to the subsurface pump 100. However, any other
suitable coupling
means known in the relevant art can be employed for coupling the cyclonic
strainer 10 to a
subsurface pump. While in this embodiment threading 24 is provided at an
interior diameter of
the cyclonic strainer 10, it can be desired to provide threading at an
exterior diameter of the
cyclonic strainer 10. In this embodiment, wrench flats 26 are included at the
north end 12 of the
cyclonic strainer 10, to assist with coupling the cyclonic strainer 10 to a
subsurface pump.
However, it would be possible to construct a cyclonic strainer 10 with the
wrench flats 26
omitted.
[0036] A shoulder 28 can also be included proximate the north end 12. In
this embodiment,
as shown in FIGURE 3, for example the shoulder 28 can be positioned southward
of threading
24. When the cyclonic strainer 10 is positioned on the subsurface pump 100,
the shoulder 28
abuts a southern portion of the seating strainer section 126, thereby
rendering a tight fit of
cyclonic strainer 10 on the subsurface pump no.
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[0037] The body 14 of the cyclonic strainer 10 can include a plurality
of ports 30, each of
which communicates from the exterior of the cyclonic strainer 10 to the
channel 18. Ports 30 can
also be referred to as openings, holes, gaps, apertures, etc. The body 14 of
the cyclonic strainer
can have virtually any number of ports 30, as can be desired for various well
configurations
and conditions. In one embodiment, the ports 30 are evenly spaced around the
cyclonic strainer
10 vertically and/or horizontally. Preferably, from the perspective of the
exterior of the cyclonic
strainer 10, each port 30 can be angled southwardly or downwardly from the
exterior of the
cyclonic strainer 10 to the channel 18 in a direction away from a center 32of
the channel 18 of
the cyclonic strainer 10 as shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.
[0038] In one embodiment, each port 30 can slope downwardly at an angle
of up to sixty
(60) degrees. Likewise, from the perspective of the channel 18, each port 30
is preferably angled
northwardly or upwardly from the channel 18 to the exterior of the cyclonic
strainer 10. In
another embodiment, each port 30 can slope southwardly or downwardly at an
angle ranging
from zero (0) up to and including sixty (60) degrees. Such an orientation of
the ports 30 allows
for a better shear between gas and fluids. In this regard, due to a variety of
factors including
gravity and the heavier weight of the fluids compared to gas, the gas
naturally tends to float
upward. The angle of the ports 30 causes fluid to be forced in the opposite
direction, resulting in
gases and fluids shearing more quickly and cleanly, due to kinetic energy. The
angle of the ports
30 could be varied to accommodate different conditions in various well
environments, depending
upon the nature and severity of any gaseous conditions that can be present. In
well environments
in which gaseous conditions are extreme, for example, it can be desired for
the ports 30 to be
sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater angle than for well environments
in which
gaseous conditions are not as extreme. By having a greater angle, gases are
prevented from
escaping back through the ports 30.
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[0039] As
shown in this embodiment and seen particularly in FIGURES 5-7, each port 30 is
thus offset from the center 32 of the channel 18 of the cyclonic strainer 10.
This orientation of
the ports 30 imparts a cyclonic rotation on fluids as they pass through the
ports 30 and travel
northward. Fluids are centrifuged against the interior wall 22 of the cyclonic
strainer 10, which
directs gas toward the center 32 of the channel 18, allowing the gas to be
produced through the
channel 18 and to continue northward through the tubing in the direction of
the surface.
[0040] The
south end 16 of the cyclonic strainer 10 can include a tail pipe 34.
Preferably,
the outer diameter of the cyclonic strainer 10, in the area of the body 14 is
greater than the outer
diameter of the cyclonic strainer 10 in the area of the tail pipe 34. However,
it would be possible
to provide a cyclonic strainer 10 in which the outer diameter in the area of
the body 14 can be the
same as the outer diameter in the area of the tail pipe 34. The tail pipe 34
is adapted to be
positioned in fluid in a well. Preferably, when the tail pipe 34 is positioned
in such fluid, the
fluid level of the well typically reaches a northern-most portion 36 of the
tail pipe 34.
[0041]
Referring now to FIGURE 14, a subsurface pump 100 having an embodiment of a
cyclonic strainer 10 positioned thereon is shown. In this embodiment, the
cyclonic strainer 10 is
shown coupled, at its north end 12, to a southern portion of the subsurface
pump 100, south of a
seating strainer section 126 thereof. In this embodiment, the subsurface pump
100 generally
comprises several components. The shaft can be lined with tubing 110. A valve
rod or hollow
valve rod 112 can pass through or is attached to a rod guide 114, and is
coupled at its south end
to a plunger adapter 116, which is coupled to a pump plunger 118. The pump
plunger 118, in
turn, can be coupled to a traveling valve 120, to which is coupled a seat plug
122.
[0042] South
of the traveling valve 120 is a standing valve 124. South of the standing
valve
124 is a seating strainer section 126 and a cyclonic strainer 10 coupled
thereto. The portion of
the valve rod 112 that passes through or is attached to the rod guide 114,
along with the plunger
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adapter 116, pump plunger 118, traveling valve 120, and seat plug 122 can be
positioned within
a pump barrel 128. The southern portion of the subsurface pump 100 can be
anchored in a
southern portion of the tubing 110. One skilled in the relevant art will
appreciate that fewer or
more components can be added to the subsurface pump 100.
[0043] Initially, fluid and gas enter the wellbore from the formation.
When the subsurface
pump 100 is actuated, fluid and gas migrate from the wellbore to the intake
area of the
subsurface pump 100, where the cyclonic strainer 10 is situated, which
comprises an area of
relatively lower pressure than that of the formation. The outer boundary of
the gas can naturally
have surface tension. In operation, on the upstroke, fluid is drawn into the
tail pipe 34 and ports
30 of the cyclonic strainer 10. Gas can also be drawn toward the ports 30.
[0044] When the fluid and gas reach the ports 30, the gas can be
strained away from the fluid
and, as a result of the natural surface tension on the gas, then travels
northward, bypassing the
ports 30. Although some gas can enter the ports 30, often most of it is
separated from the fluid
as it enters the ports 30, thereby preventing the gas from entering the
subsurface pump 100. The
orientation of the ports 30, as discussed above, imparts a cyclonic rotation
on fluids as they pass
through the ports 30 and travel northward, This cyclonic rotation causes fluid
to be centrifuged
against the interior wall 22 of the cyclonic strainer 10, which makes way for
and allows gas that
has entered the ports 30 to be produced through the center 32 of the channel
18, where such gas
then travels northward, in the direction of the surface.
[0045] Referring now to FIGURES 8-13, a plug component, hereinafter plug
50, is shown.
The plug 50 can be utilized with the cyclonic strainer 10. The plug component
50 is adapted to
be inserted in a southern portion of the channel 18 of the cyclonic strainer
10 at the south end 16.
When utilized with the cyclonic strainer 10, the plug component 50 can
regulate fluid intake by
blocking the tail pipe 34, thereby closing it off and preventing fluid from
entering the cyclonic
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strainer 10 through the tail pipe 34. In this way, fluid enters the cyclonic
strainer 10 only
through the ports 30.
[0046] The plug component 50 can include a north end 56, a body 54, and
a south end 52.
The south end 52 can include a hollowed-out portion 58. The body 54 tapers
northwardly
toward the north end 56, which can permit the plug component 50 to be
positioned in the tail
pipe 34 of the cyclonic strainer 10. Wrench flats 60 can be provided on the
plug component 50,
as shown in this embodiment, to assist with positioning the plug component 50
in the tail pipe
34. However, the wrench flats 60 can be omitted. Like the cyclonic strainer
10, the plug
component 50 is preferably composed of a hardened material capable of
withstanding conditions
present in typical well environments. In a preferred embodiment, the plug
component 50 is
composed of brass. However, other suitable materials can be used for the plug
component 50.
[0047] Referring now to FIGURE 15, another embodiment of a cyclonic
strainer device
("cyclonic strainer 200") consistent with an embodiment of the present
application is shown.
The cyclonic strainer 200 is somewhat similar to the cyclonic strainer 10, but
is adapted for use
with a naturally flowing gas well.
[0048] The cyclonic strainer 200 generally comprises a substantially
cylindrical shaped
device having a north end 212, a body 214, a south end 216, and a longitudinal
channel 218
running therethrough. The cyclonic strainer 200 can be constructed at various
lengths, as can be
desired for various well configurations and conditions. The body 214 of the
cyclonic strainer
200 can include an exterior wall and an interior wall 222. The cyclonic
strainer 200 is preferably
a one-piece structure, although it can be desired for various components of
the cyclonic strainer
200 to be separate pieces that can be coupled together to form a one-piece
unit. The cyclonic
strainer 200 is preferably composed of a hardened material capable of
withstanding conditions
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Docket No. 4148P3452
present in typical well environments. In a preferred embodiment, the cyclonic
strainer 200 is
composed of brass. However, other suitable materials can be used for the
cyclonic strainer 200.
[0049] In one embodiment, the cyclonic strainer 200 is adapted to be
coupled, at its north
end 212, to a southern portion of a tubing string 300. In such an embodiment,
the cyclonic
strainer 200 thus forms an intake area. In one embodiment, female threading
can be provided
proximate the north end 212 of the cyclonic strainer 200 for coupling to the
tubing string 300, in
similar fashion to the threading 24 utilized on the north end 12 of the
cyclonic strainer 10.
Alternatively, it can be desired to employ male threading in this region.
However, any other
suitable coupling means known in the art can be employed for coupling the
cyclonic strainer 200
to the tubing string 300.
[0050] The body 214 of the cyclonic strainer 200 can include a plurality
of ports 230, each of
which communicates from the exterior of the cyclonic strainer 200 to the
channel 218. The body
214 of the cyclonic strainer 200 can have virtually any number of ports 230,
as can be desired for
various well configurations and conditions. Preferably, from the perspective
of the exterior of
the cyclonic strainer 200, each port 230 is angled southvvardly or downwardly
from the exterior
of the cyclonic strainer 200 to the channel 218, in a direction away from a
center of the channel
218 of the cyclonic strainer 200, in similar fashion to the orientation of the
ports 30 of the
cyclonic strainer 10 shown in FIGURES 6 and 7, for example. In one embodiment,
each port
230 slopes downwardly at an angle of up to sixty (60) degrees. Likewise, from
the perspective
of the channel 218, each port 230 is preferably angled northwardly or upwardly
from the channel
218 to the exterior of the cyclonic strainer 200.
[0051] In another embodiment, each port 230 can slope southwardly or
downwardly at an
angle ranging from zero (0) up to and including sixty (60) degrees. Such an
orientation of the
ports 230 allows for a better shear between gas and fluids. In this regard,
due to a variety of
13
CA 02714312 2010-09-07
Michael Ford
Docket No. 4148P3452
factors including gravity and the heavier weight of the fluids compared to
gas, the gas naturally
tends to float upward. The angle of the ports 230 causes fluid to be forced in
the opposite
direction, resulting in gases and fluids shearing more quickly and cleanly,
due to kinetic energy.
The angle of the ports 230 could be varied to accommodate different conditions
in various well
environments, depending upon the nature and severity of any gaseous conditions
that can be
present. In well environments in which gaseous conditions are extreme, for
example, it can be
desired for the ports 230 to be sloped southwardly or downwardly at a greater
angle than for well
environments in which gaseous conditions are not as extreme.
[0052] Preferably, each port 230 is thus offset from the center of the
channel 218 of the
cyclonic strainer 200, in similar fashion to the ports 30 of the cyclonic
strainer 10. Such an
orientation of the ports 230 imparts a cyclonic rotation on fluids as they are
drawn northward
through the cyclonic strainer 200 and then northward through the tubing string
300. In this way,
fluids are centrifuged against the interior wall 222 of the cyclonic strainer
200, which allows an
opening to be created in the center of the channel 218 for gas to escape.
Thus, gas is permitted to
be produced through the channel 218 and to continue northward through the
tubing string 300 in
the direction of the surface.
[0053] The south end 216 of the cyclonic strainer 10 can include a tail
pipe 234. The tail
pipe 234 is adapted to be positioned in fluid in a well. Preferably, when the
tail pipe 234 is
positioned in such fluid, the fluid level of the well reaches a northern-most
portion 236 of the tail
pipe 34. It is important to note that the cyclonic rotation discussed above
also provides a benefit
of causing fluids, especially any water present in the formation, to be
siphoned slowly into the
tail pipe 234, preventing overload from occurring and shutting down
production.
[0054] In operation, fluid and gas can enter the wellbore from the
formation. Natural
formation pressure can force such fluid and gas through the cyclonic strainer
200 and northward
CA 2719312 2017-03-08
- 73472-19
through tubing string 300. Fluid and gas are first drawn into the tail pipe
234 and ports 230 of
the cyclonic strainer 200. When the fluid and gas reach the ports 230,
cyclonic rotation imparted
by virtue of the orientation of the ports 230 forces the fluid against the
interior wall 222 of the
cyclonic strainer 200. This cyclonic rotation causes fluid to be centrifuged
against the interior
wall 222, which makes way for and allows any gas that has entered the cyclonic
strainer 200 to
be produced through the center of the channel 18, where such gas will then
travel northward
through the tubing in the direction of the surface.
[0055] The
foregoing description is provided to enable any person skilled in the relevant
art
to practice the various embodiments described herein. Various modifications to
these
embodiments can be readily apparent to those skilled in the relevant art, and
generic principles
defined herein can be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the claims are not
intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown and described herein, but are to be accorded
the full scope
consistent with the language of the claims, wherein reference to an element in
the singular is not
intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically stated, but rather
"one or more." All
structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various
embodiments described
throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those
of ordinary skill in
the relevant art are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Moreover,
nothing disclosed
herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such
disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims.
