Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus (10) for concentrating the level of a proppant in a slurry under pressure includes a cyclone chamber (22) having a reduced diameter end with an exhaust outlet (40) therein. A slurry and proppant mixture is introduced under pressure into the chamber at an inlet (120) substantially along a path tangential to the side wall of the chamber. Flow of fluid into the cyclone chamber causes the slurry and proppant mixture to follow a spiraled path toward the exhaust outlet such that the heavier constituents in the mixture move near the inside wall of the chamber. A reflux tube (140) is positioned within the chamber and permits the removal of fluid from the low proppant concentration area of the fluid chamber and directs the fluid across a choke (90, 90') and to a deenergizer (94, 94'). The deenergizer includes a housing having an inner longitudinal tube (184) with an inlet (180) for receiving fluid from the cyclone chamber and a closed end opposite the inlet. The inner tube has a plurality of apertures (190) therethrough, the apertures being positioned closer to the inlet end than to the closed end. An outer sleeve (154) surrounds the inner tube to define an annular chamber (200) therebetween. The outer sleeve also has an outlet (220) positioned remote from the apertures. Baffles (202, 204, 206) are mounted in the annular chamber.

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First Claim