# US 10,767,426 B2 · Transverse flow microfiltration of solids from fluids with inserts > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,767,426 B2 - Document ID: US10767426B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/314,654 - Filed: 2015-06-01 - Published: 2017-04-27 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2014-05-30 - Assignees: M-I L.L.C. - Applicants: M-I L.L.C. - Inventors: Venkata Kasi Amaravadi; Edward Kronenberger - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10767426B2 ## CPC - E21B 21/065: {Separating solids from drilling fluids} - B01D 21/262: {by using a centrifuge} - B01D 61/00: Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor (separation of gases or vapours by diffusion B01D53/22) - B01D 65/02: Membrane cleaning or sterilisation {; Membrane regeneration} - E21B 43/35: {specially adapted for separating solids (down-hole drilling fluid separation systems E21B21/002; separating solids from drilling fluids E21B21/065)} - B01D 2311/2676: Centrifugal separation - B01D 2321/04: Backflushing - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) ## Abstract A system for processing fluids is disclosed including a pump in fluid communication with a used fluid pit, a membrane separator in fluid communication with the used fluid pit, wherein an insert is disposed within the membrane separator, and a clean fluid pit in fluid communication with the membrane separator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for processing fluids, the system comprising: a pump in fluid communication with a used fluid pit; a membrane separator in fluid communication with the used fluid pit, the membrane separator comprising a first end defining a first opening; a second end defining a second opening, the second end axially opposing the first end; and an inner surface extending from the first opening to the second opening; a solid cylindrical insert disposed within the membrane separator, the solid cylindrical insert comprising a first end; a second end axially opposing the first end; a total length defined between the first end of the solid cylindrical insert and the opposite second end of the solid cylindrical insert; an outer surface extending the total length of the solid cylindrical insert, the outer surface of the solid cylindrical insert and the inner surface of the membrane separator defining a flow passage extending from the first opening to the second opening, wherein a first insert holder couples the first end of the solid cylindrical insert to the first end of the membrane separator and a second insert holder couples the second end of the solid cylindrical insert to the opposite second end of the membrane separator, wherein the solid cylindrical insert is configured to prohibit fluid flow through the solid cylindrical insert and to direct fluid flow through the flow passage, thereby decreasing fluid flow through the membrane separator; and a clean fluid pit in fluid communication with the membrane separator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one support coupled to the solid cylindrical insert between the first end and the second end of the solid cylindrical insert, the at least one support disposed between the solid cylindrical insert and the membrane separator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a primary separator in fluid communication with the used fluid pit and the membrane separator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the primary separator comprises at least one of a shaker, a centrifuge, and a hydrocyclone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane separator is configured to separate a fluid into a permeate and a concentrate. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, further comprising: a recirculation loop configured to return the concentrate to the membrane separator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the membrane separator comprises at least one multiple channel membrane. ### Claim 8 A system for processing fluids, the system comprising: a pump in fluid communication with a used fluid pit; a transverse flow microfiltration membrane separator in fluid communication with the used fluid pit, comprising at least one membrane configured for microfiltration of a fluid at a surface of the at least one membrane, and having a solid cylindrical insert placed through a middle of the transverse flow microfiltration membrane separator, wherein the solid cylindrical insert is configured to prohibit fluid flow through the solid cylindrical insert, thereby decreasing fluid flow through the transverse flow microfiltration membrane separator; and a clean fluid pit in fluid communication with the transverse flow microfiltration membrane separator. ### Claim 9 A system for processing fluids, the system comprising: a pump in fluid communication with a used fluid pit; a membrane separator in fluid communication with the used fluid pit, wherein a solid cylindrical insert is disposed within the membrane separator and placed through a middle of the membrane separator such that distances between an outer surface of the solid cylindrical insert and an inner surface of the membrane separator are equidistant at all points, wherein the solid cylindrical insert is configured to prohibit fluid flow through the solid cylindrical insert, thereby decreasing fluid flow through the membrane separator; and a clean fluid pit in fluid communication with the membrane separator.