Wellhead Screen-Filter – Fluid Flow Patterns and Particle Travel (B-FSM-103)
Fluid Flow Pattern
- Multiphase fluid enters the inlet nozzle on the top-size of the wellhead screen-filter unit
- The fluids flow down the center of the cylindrical screen and through the apertures (inside to out flow pattern)
- The solids are retained within the screen while the solids-free fluids flow up the annulus between the screen OD and vessel ID
- The multiphase fluids exit the vessel through the outlet nozzle
- No gas-liquid segregation takes place within the separation flow
- Internal (inlet) pressure provides the energy to drive fluid through the screen apertures
Particle Travel
- Inlet flow contains the full spread of particle distribution
- In the ideal view all particles larger than the aperture are captured within the screen, while particles smaller than the aperture pass through to the annulus
- In the real view large particles stick at the aperture blocking off the flow path. In addition, the screen wedged wear away allowing larger particles to pass as the process proceeds.
- The captured solids collect at the bottom of the screen cylinder for batch flushing
- Back-flushing through the screen can dislodge some of the stuck particles
References:
- Rawlins, C.H., “Sand Management Methodologies for Sustained Facilities Operations”, Oil & Gas Facilities, Vol. 2, No. 5, October 2013, pp. 27-34. https://doi.org/10.2118/1013-0027-OGF
Next week I will cover fluid flow patterns and particle travel of the WSF.
