Systems and methods for processing earthen slurries
AssigneeVermeer Manufacturing Company
InventorsCorey Lanoue, Brian Burge, Brandon Storm, Nathan Meyer, Gregory Anderson, Markus Terry, Joshua Seibert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for processing earthen slurries such as slurries of earth cuttings and, in particular, systems and methods that involve two separation units for dewatering the slurry or that involve additive mixing units are disclosed. The systems and methods may include a conveyor such as a drag-slat conveyor that removes slurry from a holding tank at which the material is dumped and toward the separation units to allow the material to be continuously processed and dumped into the holding tank.
Claims20
A mobile system for processing earthen slurries having a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, the system comprising:
- a holding tank;
- a drag-slat conveyor having a loading end and a discharge end, the loading end extending into the holding tank to remove slurry from the holding tank;
- a separation unit disposed below the discharge end of the drag-slat conveyor, the separation unit having openings for separating the solid fraction from the liquid fraction;
- and
- wheels or tracks for moving the system.
A mobile system for processing earthen slurries having a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, the system comprising:
- a holding tank;
- a drag-slat conveyor having a loading end and a discharge end, the loading end extending into the holding tank to remove slurry from the holding tank;
- a separation unit disposed below the discharge end of the drag-slat conveyor, the separation unit having openings for separating the solid fraction from the liquid fraction;
- and
- skids or rollers for loading and/or unloading the system onto a vehicle.
A mobile system for processing earthen slurries having a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, the system comprising:
- a holding tank;
- a drag-slat conveyor having a loading end and a discharge end, the loading end extending into the holding tank to remove slurry from the holding tank;
- a first separation unit disposed below the discharge end of the drag-slat conveyor, the first separation unit having openings for separating the solid fraction from the liquid fraction, the first separation unit having an outlet for discharging a first effluent that passes through the first separation unit;
- a second separation unit having openings for separating the solids fraction from the liquid fraction from the first effluent from the first separation unit, the first separation unit having openings with a size greater than the size of the openings of the second separation unit;
- and
- a collection system for collecting a second effluent that passes through the openings of the second separation unit.
A mobile system for processing earthen slurries having a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, the system comprising:
- a holding tank;
- a drag-slat conveyor having a loading end and a discharge end, the loading end extending into the holding tank to remove slurry from the holding tank, the drag-slat conveyor comprising slats to drag slurry upward, each slat having first and second flare-out portions to cup the slurry as it is conveyed along the drag-slat conveyor;
- and
- a separation unit disposed below the discharge end of the drag-slat conveyor, the separation unit having openings for separating the solid fraction from the liquid fraction.
A mobile system for processing earthen slurries having a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, the system comprising:
- a holding tank;
- a drag-slat conveyor having a loading end and a discharge end, the loading end extending into the holding tank to remove slurry from the holding tank, the drag-slat conveyor comprising slats to drag slurry upward, the slats being flexible to allow the slats to scrape and seal a drag-slat conveyor floor;
- and
- a separation unit disposed below the discharge end of the drag-slat conveyor, the separation unit having openings for separating the solid fraction from the liquid fraction.
A mobile system for processing earthen slurries having a liquid fraction and a solid fraction, the system comprising:
- a holding tank;
- a drag-slat conveyor having a loading end and a discharge end, the loading end extending into the holding tank to remove slurry from the holding tank, the holding tank and drag-slat conveyor being part of a dumping station for receiving earthen slurries, the dumping station comprising first and second ramps for maneuvering vehicles onto and off of the dumping station;
- and
- a separation unit disposed below the discharge end of the drag-slat conveyor, the separation unit having openings for separating the solid fraction from the liquid fraction.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.