Through years of field experience, Aker Solutions has developed a proprietary standard sand removal system designed to remove sand and solids from a production separator, either on a continuous or a batch basis.
![[Image]](/Global/Drilling%20Technologies/Process%20Systems/Aberdeen/Sand%20jetting%20system.jpg "[Image]")
Advantages of the Aker Solutions sand pan system
- Effective on small and large particles
- Low sand erosion effects when jetting
- No interference with the water/oil/gas/emulsions layers
- Avoids creating stable emulsions with sand
- Large sand removal area with equal drainage along the whole length, avoiding gas or oil drainage
- Desanding total area where the system is covering the bottom of the vessel (not lump wise)
- Outlet valve opens and closes in water phase (slurry free phase)
- Controlled and low outlet sand concentrations during the jetting, avoiding clogging in pipes and downstream desanding system
- Can be automatically operated, to avoids operator failure
- Requires a relatively small downstream sand and solid handling package
- Easy to fit in the separators and requires little space
- Handle varying quantities of solids
- Easy access for maintenance as the eductors are placed outside the separator
- Relatively flexible location of inlet and outlet nozzles
Principle of operation
The system utilizes individual five foot long long SandPanTM stations along the bottom length of the vessel. Each sand removal station is equipped with its own sand jet and sand dump control valve that allows individual operation on a manual or automated basis. Simultaneous operation of multiple sand dump stations is not recommended as the resultant high water consumption may disrupt the vessel liquid interface levels and process stability.
The SandPanTM jetting system consists of a SandPanTM and removable internal pipe spool. The SandPanTM is an inverted trough with serrated edges resting on the vessel shell. Located at the apex of the SandPan™ is a choked outlet nipple. This nipple regulates the proper flow velocity required to capture the sand as it passes through the serrations. The serrations allow for a uniform area of influence. The removable internal spool attaches to the choked nipple and vessel outlet nozzle.
Several dump stations are connected to a common collection header. The dump sequence may be controlled manually or with a programmable (PLC) jetting panel to ensure proper valve operation and timing.
The sand jet manifolds (one per station) are 'U' shaped with two straight legs, one on either side of the pan. Each sand jet leg has several stainless steel sand jet spray nozzles located such that when water is injected, the spray patterns overlap to ensure complete coverage of the vessel along the entire length of the SandPanTM. Water injection occurs sequentially with the sand dump operation to prevent disruption of the process.
Our unique pan-top discharge design significantly reduces the effect of erosion on the dump valves compared to bottom discharge type systems. In a bottom discharge design, serious valve erosion occurs the split second that the valve is opening. With a top discharge system, the flow is relatively clean until the valve is fully opened.
Each sand jet has several stainless steel sand jet spray nozzles located such that when water is injected, the spray patterns overlap to ensure complete coverage of the vessel along the entire length of the sand pan. Water injection occurs sequentially with the sand dump operation to prevent disruption of the process.