Shale-gas separating and cleanout system

Abstract

This invention relates to the separation of shale, gas and fluid at a shale-gas well. The shale debris and water from a shale-gas well is tangentially communicated to a vessel where the cyclonic effect within the vessel facilitates the separation of the gas from the shale debris. The separated shale debris and fluid falls to a jet assembly whereby it encounters a jet communicating a fluid therethrough. A venturi provides a motive force to the shale debris and fluid sufficient to propel it into a collection bin. The shale-gas separator incorporates a fluid bypass overflow line to prevent a buildup of fluid within the vessel. The shale-gas separator also incorporates an internal aerated cushion system (IACS) pipe for further motivating the shale debris and into the jet assembly, to ensure the walls of the vessel are clean, and to provide an air cushion restricting gas migration to the jet assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shale-gas separator, comprising:
 a vessel with an opening for receiving a shale-gas-liquid mixture and a curved interior configured to create a cyclonic effect in the received shale-gas-liquid mixture for separating a gas from shale debris and fluid in the shale-gas-liquid mixture;   a first port configured to communicate the gas out of the vessel;   a second port configured to communicate the shale debris and fluid out of the vessel, wherein the second port is positioned below the curved interior of the vessel;   a jet assembly coupled to the second port for receiving the shale debris and fluid out of the vessel through the second port; and   a jet coupled to the jet assembly for moving the shale debris and fluid out of the jet assembly for safe collection.   
     
     
         2 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the opening tangentially supplies the shale-gas-liquid mixture to a sidewall of the curved interior in the vessel to thereby create the cyclonic effect in the received shale-gas-liquid mixture. 
     
     
         3 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , further comprising a domed top that is circumferentially coupled to the curved interior, wherein the first port through which the gas is communicated is positioned in the top. 
     
     
         4 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the curved interior comprises a cylindrical body of the vessel. 
     
     
         5 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom through which the second port is disposed that is circumferentially coupled to the curved interior. 
     
     
         6 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is conically shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom includes a radially wider portion coupled to the curved interior of the vessel and a radially narrower portion through which the second port is disposed. 
     
     
         8 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more nozzles positioned within the bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the gas comprises shale gas from a shale formation. 
     
     
         10 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the shale debris and liquid comprise shale cuttings, dust, or liquid a shale formation during a drilling operation. 
     
     
         11 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 10 , wherein the drilling operation comprises air drilling in the shale formation. 
     
     
         12 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the jet is configured to supply either liquid or air to move the shale debris and fluid out of the jet assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , further comprising a flare stack feedline in communication with the first port. 
     
     
         14 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 1 , wherein the second port is coaxial with the curved interior of the vessel. 
     
     
         15 . A shale-gas-separator, comprising:
 a vessel with an opening for receiving a shale-gas-liquid mixture and a curved interior configured to create a cyclonic effect in the received shale-gas-liquid mixture for separating a gas from shale debris and fluid in the shale-gas-liquid mixture;   a first port configured to communicate the gas out of the vessel;   a second port configured to communicate the shale debris and fluid out of the vessel, wherein the second port is positioned below the curved interior of the vessel;   a jet assembly in fluid communication with the second port to receive the shale debris and fluid separated from the shale-gas-liquid mixture out of the vessel; and   a jet extending into the jet assembly and adapted to supply a motive force into the jet assembly to move the shale debris and fluid out of the jet assembly for safe collection.   
     
     
         16 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 15 , wherein the jet is configured to jet a fluid into the jet assembly for supplying the motive force to move the shale debris and fluid out of the jet assembly. 
     
     
         17 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 15 , wherein the jet is configured to provide air into the jet assembly for supplying the motive force to move the shale debris and fluid out of the jet assembly. 
     
     
         18 . The shale-gas-separator of  claim 15 , wherein the vessel comprises:
 a top;   a cylindrical portion for creating the cyclonic effect; and   a conically shaped bottom in which the second port is disposed;   wherein the top and the cylindrical portion are circumferentially coupled to the cylindrical portion, and   wherein the vessel is oriented vertically such that the top is positioned above the cylindrical portion and the conically shaped portion, and the cylindrical portion is above the conically shaped bottom.   
     
     
         19 . The shale-gas separator of  claim 15 , wherein the vessel comprises a conical portion and a bottom portion with a radially wider opening and a radially narrower opening, wherein the conical portion is circumferentially coupled to the bottom portion at the radially wider opening and the second port is located at the radially narrower at the 
     
     
         20 . A shale-gas-separator, comprising:
 a vessel with an opening for receiving a shale-gas-liquid mixture and a curved interior configured to create a cyclonic effect in the received shale-gas-liquid mixture for separating a gas from shale debris and fluid in the shale-gas-liquid mixture;   a first port configured to communicate the gas out of the vessel;   a bottom that is circumferentially coupled to the curved interior of the vessel and that radially narrows away from the curved interior, wherein the bottom is configured to catch the shale debris and fluid separated from the shale-gas-liquid mixture;   an overflow line configured to remove excess liquid in the bottom out of the vessel; and   a plurality of nozzles positioned in the radially narrow bottom and configured to supply fluid or air into the shale debris and fluid in the bottom.