When operators need to filter even the finest particles, sand traps, also known as sand separators, are designed to target these particles. While the concept may seem straightforward, the equipment performing this process utilizes a complex design to achieve optimal efficiency.
We know our customers rely on sand traps to minimize the time and energy required for solid-liquid separation, enhancing efficiency and reducing strain on equipment. This is why we offer multiple types of sand traps to fit your specific needs.
RBI Sand Trap Overview
RBI offers multiple arraignments when dealing with sand separation. We offer 1) cyclonic sand traps and striker plate or 2) spherical sand traps.
The Striker Plate Sand Trap is a gravity sand trap with a reinforced striker plate installed at the point where the produced fluid first enters the trap. The striker plate is designed to absorb the impact of the incoming flow, particularly the sand particles, and help prevent damage to the vessel’s internal components from repeated strikes.
Striker plates also allow flow to enter the inlet and hit an inlet deflection plate. This plate has an additional buffer plate attached which acts as an erosion protecting tool for the main inlet plate. When the flow hits the buffer plate, the sand falls to the bottom of the vessel and gas flow goes around the baffle.
The Cyclonic Sand Trap is a pressurized vessel used to separate sand from liquid. This unit can also be used to return effluent-containing proppants following fracture treatment.
Cyclonic sand traps are designed with an off-center inlet to allow flow to enter the vessel along the interior wall creating a vortex. This vortex will allow sand to fall out of the gas stream and to the bottom of the vessel as gas flows upward to the center of the cyclonic baffle.
Spherical Sand Traps are set apart by their unique function of allowing flow to move upward through the center as sand falls to the bottom. Flow enters the vessel along the interior wall creating a vortex that will filter sand out of the gas stream. A wear pad is welded to the interior of this sand trap to provide erosion protection for the main head.
Increasing Blockage Prevention
When well sand traps draw water upward, solid particles settle into a vessel, where internal components facilitate the separation of sand and other solids from the liquid. This initial step acts as a primary barrier, capturing solid matter before additional filtration stages complete the purification process. Our sand traps are designed to tackle this initial step head-on by directing inlet flow in accordance with your needs.
To learn more about what type of sand trap is the best fit for your flow, contact our sales team.
