US Patent 9095799 Debris catcher and sand trap for pipeline

A debris catcher and sand trap for removing debris, sand, or both from a pipeline flow is disclosed. The debris catcher includes an upper pipe, a lower pipe, and at least one diagonal pipe. A grate filter may be disposed within the upper pipe and configured to retain or remove debris from a flow. The diagonal pipe and/or lower pipe may be configured for sand to settle in these areas, so that a flow exiting the lower pipe through a vertical pipe may be substantially free of sand or other fines.