Large particulate removal system

Abstract

A choke for removing large diameter particulate matter from an oil or natural gas well includes a housing having a chamber with an integral solids receptacle. The chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet and a flow stream inlet. The flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet. The flow stream inlet directly adjoins the integral solids receptacle in the chamber. The choke includes a solids removal outlet located below the flow stream inlet in communication with the chamber for flowing particulate from the chamber when actuatedby a user. The choke includes a needle disposed in a bonnet connected to the chamber above the flow stream inlet for controlling the flow stream from the flow stream inlet to the flow stream outlet by engaging a choke face of a seat with the needle.

1. A choke for a hydrocarbon flow stream from produced by a well,producing large diameter particulate matter comprising:
 a. a housing having a chamber with an integral a solids receptacle,wherein the chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet and a flow stream inlet with a first diameter adapted to receive the hydrocarbon flow stream, and wherein the flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet and directly adjoins the integral solids receptacle in the chamber and the solids receptacle; 
 b. a solids removal outlet located below the flow stream inlet in communication with the chamber solids receptacle, wherein the solids removal outlet is for removing large diameter permits removal of particulate matter from the chamber solids receptacle when actuated; and 
 c. a needle disposed in a bonnet in communication with the chamber above the flow stream inlet for controlling and movable to engage a choke face between the flow stream inlet and the flow stream outlet to reduce a velocity of  the hydrocarbon flow stream from the flow stream inlet to the flow stream outlet by engaging a choke face. 
 
     
     
       2. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the choke is a manual or a hydraulic choke. 
     
     
       3. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the flow stream inlet has a diameter is between 2 inches and 4 inches. 
     
     
       4. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of  the chamber diameter is between 3 and 5 times the larger than a diameter of the flow stream inlet. 
     
     
       5. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein further comprising an outlet plug is removably connected to the solids removal outlet, wherein removal of the outlet plug permits the removal of particulate matter from the solids receptacle. 
     
     
       6. The choke of  claim 5 , wherein the outlet plug is in a threaded engagement with the solids removal outlet. 
     
     
       7. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the bonnet is in a threaded engagement with the housing. 
     
     
       8. The choke of  claim 1 , further comprising a hand wheel attached to mechanism to move the needle for removably engaging onto the choke face. 
     
     
       9. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the choke face further comprises a sleeve of a different and harder material than the housing. 
     
     
       10. The choke of  claim 9 , wherein the sleeve is composed of a member selected from the group consisting of a comprises one of  tungsten carbide, a steel, a tungsten or similar hard material, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       11. The choke of claim  1 , 8 wherein the needle is a hydraulically actuated needle for removably engaging the choke face the mechanism to move the needle comprises a hydraulic mechanism. 
     
     
       12. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is composed of a member selected from the group consisting of a comprises at least one of steel, stainless steel, alloys thereof, coated steel and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the large diameter particulate matter has a diameter equivalent to or less than the first diameter. 
     
     
       14. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the large diameter particulate matter is a member selected from the group consisting of rock, iron pieces, rubber, composite materials and, combinations thereof. 
     
     
       15. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the choke is adapted to sustain can operate at a hydrocarbon flow stream pressure up to 20,000 psi during operation. 
     
     
       16. The choke of  claim 1 , wherein the choke face further comprises a seat for forming a sealing engagement with the needle. 
     
     
       17. A choke for a flow stream from a well, producing large diameter particulate matter comprising:
 a. a housing having a chamber with an integral solids receptacle wherein the chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet and a flow stream inlet with a first diameter connected to the hydrocarbon flow stream, and wherein the flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet and directly adjoins the integral solids receptacle in the chamber and the solids receptacle; 
 b. a solids removal outlet located below the flow stream inlet in communication with the chamber solids receptacle, wherein the solids removal outlet is for removing large diameter permits removal of particulate matter from the chamber when actuated solids receptacle; and 
 c. a needle disposed in a bonnet in communication with the chamber above the flow stream inlet, for controlling the needle being movable to engage a choke face located between the flow stream inlet and the flow stream outlet to reduce a velocity of the hydrocarbon flow stream from the flow stream inlet to before the hydrocarbon flow stream enters the flow stream outlet by engaging a choke face; and  
 d. a dump device connected to the solids removal outlet, wherein the dump device comprises a pipe connected to the solids removal outlet and a controllable valve connected to the pipe for controlling to permit the removal of large diameter particulate matter out of from the solids removal outlet receptacle. 
 
     
     
       18. A choke for a flow stream from a well producing large diameter particulate matter comprising:
 a. a housing having a chamber with an integral solids receptacle wherein the chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet, and a flow stream inlet coming from a well head with a first diameter located on a plane identical to the flow stream outlet and directly adjoining the integral solids receptacle;   b. a solids removal outlet located below the flow stream inlet in communication with the chamber wherein the solids removal outlet is for removing large diameter particulate matter from the chamber when actuated; and   c. a needle disposed in a bonnet in communication with the chamber above the flow stream inlet for controlling the flow stream from the flow stream inlet to the flow stream outlet by engaging a choke face.   
     
     
       19. The choke of  claim 18 , wherein the choke is a manual choke or a hydraulic choke. 
     
     
       20. The choke of claim  18  17, wherein a diameter of the flow stream inlet has a diameter is between 2 inches and 4 inches. 
     
     
       21. The choke of claim  18  20, wherein a diameter of the chamber diameter is between 3 and 5 times larger than the diameter of the flow stream inlet. 
     
     
       22. The choke of claim  18 , wherein 17 further comprising an outlet plug is removably connected to the solids removal outlet, wherein removal of the outlet plug permits the removal of particulate matter from the solids receptacle. 
     
     
       23. The choke of  claim 22 , wherein the outlet plug is in a threaded engagement with the solids removal outlet. 
     
     
       24. The choke of  claim 18 , wherein the bonnet is in a threaded engagement with the housing. 
     
     
       25. The choke of claim  18 , 17 further comprising a hand wheel attached to mechanism to move the needle for removably engaging the choke face. 
     
     
       26. The choke of claim  18  17, wherein the choke face further comprises a sleeve of a different and harder material than the housing. 
     
     
       27. The choke of  claim 26 , wherein the sleeve is composed of a member selected from the group consisting of a comprises one of tungsten carbide, a steel, or similar hard material tungsten and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       28. The choke of claim  18 , wherein 25 wherein the mechanism to move the needle is a hydraulically actuated needle for removably engaging the choke face comprises a hydraulic mechanism. 
     
     
       29. The choke of claim  18 , 17 wherein the housing is composed of a member selected from the group consisting of a comprises one of steel, stainless steel, coated steel, alloys thereof and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       30. The choke of  claim 18 , wherein the large diameter particulate matter has a diameter equivalent to or less than the first diameter. 
     
     
       31. The choke of  claim 18 , wherein the large diameter particulate matter is a member selected from the group consisting of rock, iron, pieces, rubber, composite materials and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       32. The choke of claim  18  17, wherein the choke is adapted to sustain operate at a hydrocarbon flow stream pressure up to 20,000 psi during operation. 
     
     
       33. The choke of  claim 18 , wherein the choke face further comprises a seat for forming a sealing engagement with the needle. 
     
     
       34. A choke for a flow stream from a well producing large diameter particulate matter comprising:
 a. a housing having a chamber with an integral solids receptacle wherein the chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet, and a flow stream inlet with a first diameter located on a plane identical to the flow stream outlet and directly adjoining the integral solids receptacle;   b. a solids removal outlet located below the flow stream inlet in communication with the chamber wherein the solids removal outlet is for removing large diameter particulate matter from the chamber when actuated; and   c. a needle disposed in a bonnet in communication with the chamber above the flow stream inlet for controlling the flow stream from the flow stream inlet to the flow stream outlet by engaging a choke face; and   d. a dump device connected to the solids removal outlet, wherein the dump device comprises a pipe connected to the solids removal outlet and a controllable valve connected to the pipe for controlling removal of large diameter particulate matter flow out of the solids removal outlet.   
     
     
       35. A method for of removing large diameter particulate matter from a flow stream produced from an oil or natural gas well comprising the steps of:
 a. flowing aconnecting a flow stream inlet to the oil or natural gas well to flow the flow stream into athe flow stream inlet of a housing with a first diameter, wherein the flow stream inlet communicates with an integral solids receptacle in a chamber and a solids receptacle, and wherein the chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet, and the flow stream inlet is located on a plane below the flow stream outlet; 
 b. permitting large diameter particulate matter to fall from the flow stream inlet into the integral solids receptacle forming a stream without large diameter particulate matter; 
 c. controlling the flow of the stream without large diameter particulate matterreducing a velocity of the flow stream flowing out of the chamber through the flow stream outlet using a needle which removablymovably engages a choke face, and flowing the stream without large diameter particulate matter to the flow stream outletlocated between the flow stream inlet and the flow stream outlet so that large diameter particulate matter falls from the flow stream inlet into the solids receptacle forming a stream without the large diameter particulate matter; and 
 d.periodically removing the large diameter particulate matter from the solids receptacle in the chamber through the a solids removal outlet. 
 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 35  wherein said flow stream is from a member selected from the group consisting of a production well, drilling well and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 35  wherein the velocity of the flow stream is reduced significantly as the flow stream moves from the flow stream inlet flows between the needle and the choke face to the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim method  37 , wherein the velocity of the flow stream is reduced between 3 and 5 times in the housing as the flow stream flows between the needle and the choke face. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim method  35 , wherein periodically removing the particulate matter further comprising the step of comprises periodically interrupting the flow stream by engaging the needle with the choke face to remove additional large diameter stop the flow stream to permit removal of the particulate matter still circulating in from the chamber solids receptacle. 
     
     
       40. The method of  claim 35 , further comprising the step of forming a sealing engagement between the needle and the choke face. 
     
     
       41. A method for removing large diameter particulate matter from a flow stream from an oil or natural gas well comprising the steps of:
 a. flowing a flow stream from a well into a flow stream inlet of a housing with a first diameter wherein the flow stream inlet communicates with an integral solids receptacle in a chamber, and wherein the chamber is in communication with a flow stream outlet, and the flow stream inlet is located on a plane identical to the flow stream outlet;   b. permitting large diameter particulate matter to fall from the flow stream inlet into the integral solids receptacle forming a stream without large diameter particulate matter;   c. controlling the flow of the flow stream without large diameter particulate matter out of the chamber using a needle which removably engages a choke face, and flowing the stream without large diameter particulate matter to the flow stream outlet; and   d. removing the large diameter particulate matter from the solids receptacle in the chamber through the solids removal outlet.   
     
     
       42. The method of  claim 41 , wherein said flow stream is from a member selected from the group consisting of a production well, drilling well and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       43. The method of  claim 41  wherein the velocity of the flow stream is reduced significantly as the flow stream moves from the flow stream inlet to the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim method  43 , wherein the velocity of the flow stream is reduced between 3 and 5 times in the housing. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim method  41 , further comprising the step of periodically interrupting the flow stream by engaging the needle with the choke face to remove additional large diameter particulate matter still circulating in the chamber. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 41 , further comprising the step of forming a sealing engagement between the needle and the choke face. 
     
     
       47. The choke of claim 1, wherein the flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       48. The choke of claim 1, wherein the flow stream inlet is located on a plane of the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       49. The choke of claim 1, wherein the solids receptacle is integral with the housing. 
     
     
       50. The choke of claim 17 further comprising a sensor that determines a quantity of particulate matter in the solids receptacle to automatically control the valve. 
     
     
       51. The choke of claim 17, wherein the dump device is electrically powered by solar panels. 
     
     
       52. The choke of claim 17, wherein the flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       53. The choke of claim 17, wherein the flow stream inlet is located on a plane of the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       54. The choke of claim 17, wherein the solids receptacle is integral with the housing. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 35, wherein the flow stream inlet is located below the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim 35, wherein the flow stream inlet is located on a plane of the flow stream outlet. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim 35, wherein the particulates are large diameter particulates. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim 35, wherein the particulates are heavy particulates.