This system does not remove the sand from the fluids being removed from the wellbore, but it does however monitor and report actual sand production from the wellbore.

Why is accurate monitoring of the sand important? Simply put, the less sand being sent to the operating companies production facility means, less shut down and repairs due to sand erosion and washout of equipment, iron, etc. It can also further protect the operating company from extended and or premature release of flowback equipment by allowing the sand measurements to be remotely viewed.

The Automated Sand Management System consists of metal platform that is shipped to the location and then extended to fit over fluid collection tanks.

It consists of:

• A steel platform with extendible steel legs
  
• Two “gas buster” tanks for stabilizing the fluids by relieving gas pressure
  
• Certified safety railing and foldable ladder which break down for storage and moving
  
• Adjustable chain suspended ramp for directing fluid and sand from “gas buster” tanks above
  
• Hydraulic controlled capture box for collection and weighing of fluid and sand
  
• Hydraulic controller and manifold
  
• LCD control panel for controlling and monitoring the equipment
  
• Solar panel for onsite power

Simplified description of process
As the fluids come from the wellbore, they go through several pieces of equipment with different functions. One function is to remove the sand from the fluids being removed from the wellbore using sand traps. Once these are dumped as needed the contents are sent to the ASMS. Once the fluids pass through this “gas buster” the fluids fall through the bottom of the tank with the sand that comes with it.

Once it falls through the tanks it hits a slide and comes to rest in a two-part capture box underneath. This capture box is supported by eight hydraulic cylinders. The four corner cylinders are attached to an electronic scale, which sends the accurate weight data to the control panel and also to remote monitoring locations. Once weighed, the capture box is opened with the hydraulic cylinders to let the sand fall into the tank below. The capture box then returns to the up position, ready for the next round of sand. The design on the box allows for the fluid to escape while maintaining sand from the contents of the current cycle..

The system is made to easily break down to half of its size for efficient shipping to a new location.