Sand Sampling

[cambellian]

Hello,

The offshore topside facilities I am currently handling plans to take a slip stream from a main flowline of 20" to draw a small sample of sand laden fluid for analysis.  The concern is the fluid is primarily gas (about 400 - 450 MMscfd) with little liquids and gas velocity is expected to be about 20 m/s and sand may not get the chance to go through the side stream to the sampling panel.  The tapping is located at the bottom of flowline and distance has been kept to a minimum.  If you have any success story of this, please share with me particularly if it is for gas system.  Thank you.

[Chief Wigam]

I agree - it is unlikely that a standard configuration will catch much solids in a fairly dry gas production stream. What you need is a sand trap. I am not an expert on these, but if you talk to a supplier I am sure they can help you. Sand traps can be designed even for dry gas streams.

[Avinash]

Hi,
I have used and experienced sand trap/sand separators in the field. We used them after fracturing a well. It is a flanged connection off the flowline with a PSV attached as it is considered a vessel. It works very well and its very mobile.
I am in Canada and you can have a look at the website: www.specializedtech.ca

Regards,
Avinash.

[rihanbd33]

Basically, the device comprises a cylinder equipped with opposing pistons. The sand sample is placed in the cylinder between the pistons and then compacted by moving the pistons toward each other. The force for moving the pistons is supplied by a fluid, such as air or hydraulic oil, which is injected under pressure into a chamber defined in the cylinder behind each piston.