The key items to remember for the wellhead screen filter are listed below.

• Wellhead Screen-Filter (WSF) is a well service tool for separating solids during well cleanup and flow-back
• WSF uses a cylindrical screen for coarse separation (>100 microns)
• Flow pattern is from inside-to-out and solids discharge is a batch operation (requires 2 x 100% units)
• WSF operates in multiphase flow from 0-100% GVF and mechanical designs include API 5/10/15K
• Limiting operating factors are screen aperture velocity (erosion control), pressure drop (burst control), and fill time (50 liters hold-up)

References:

1. Armour, J.C., Cannon, J.N., “Fluid flow through woven screens”, AIChE Journal, Vol. 14, No. 3, 1968, pp. 415-420.
2. Belov, S.V., Devisilov, V.A., Zhdanov, V.N., “Hydraulic resistance of woven metal screens”, translated from Khimicheskoe i Neftyanoe Mashinostroenie, No. 8, August, 1989, pp. 26-28.
3. Green, D.W. and Perry, R.H. 2008. Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook, 8th Ed. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
4. Heald, C.C. (editor), “Cameron Hydraulic Data, 18th Edition”, Ingersoll-Dresser Pumps, Liberty Corner, NJ, USA.
5. 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
6. Wu, W.T., Liu, J.F., Li, W.J., Hsieh, W.H., “Measurement and correlation of hydraulic resistance of flow through woven metal screens”, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 48, 2005, pp. 3008-3017.

In the next series of articles I will cover separator jetting design.