System and method for processing a slurry
AssigneeFlowback Fluids LLC
InventorTerry Gordon Culver
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for separating two or more materials, such as a solid from a liquid, or a solid from a slurry, are provided. An exemplary system and method for separating drill cuttings from drilling fluids are provided, as well as a system and method of processing such separated drill cuttings. In another implementation, a system and method is provided for separating gold (or another mineral, element, or solid) from a slurry or liquid that includes mining cuttings.
Claims25
A system for processing a fluid that includes one or more constituents, the system comprising:
- a receiving vessel configured to receive the fluid, that includes the one or more constituents, the receiving vessel comprising at least a first chamber of the receiving vessel, the first chamber at least partially defined by a dividing wall positioned at least partially within the receiving vessel, the receiving vessel operable to provide at least a portion of the fluid from the first chamber at one or more output openings of the receiving vessel;
- and
- a separator configured to receive the at least the portion of the fluid provided from the one or more output openings of the receiving vessel, and to separate at least a portion of the one or more constituents of the fluid to provide a first constituent output, and to provide a remaining fluid to the receiving vessel.
A method for separating at least a portion of one or more constituents of a fluid, the method comprising:
- receiving the fluid that includes the one or more constituents at a receiving vessel, the receiving vessel comprising at least a first chamber of the receiving vessel, the first chamber at least partially defined by a dividing wall positioned at least partially within the receiving vessel, the receiving vessel operable to provide at least a portion of the fluid from the first chamber at one or more output openings of the receiving vessel;
- moving at least a portion of the fluid from the one or more output openings of the receiving vessel to a separator;
- separating the fluid between at least a separated liquid and a portion of the one or more constituents;
- providing at least a portion of the portion of the one or more constituents to a first location;
- providing at least a portion of the separated liquid to the receiving vessel, and
- mixing the at least the portion of the separated liquid and at least a second portion the fluid.
A system for processing a fluid that includes one or more constituents, the system comprising:
- a receiving vessel configured to receive the fluid, that includes the one or more constituents, the receiving vessel comprising at least a first chamber of the receiving vessel, the receiving vessel operable to provide at least a portion of the fluid from the first chamber at one or more output openings of the receiving vessel;
- an injection port configured to receive a substance to add to the fluid, wherein the substance bonds with one or more of the one or more constituents;
- and
- a separator configured to receive the at least the portion of the fluid provided from the one or more output openings of the receiving vessel, and to separate at least a portion of the one or more constituents of the fluid to provide a first constituent output, and to provide a remaining fluid to the receiving vessel.
A method for separating at least a portion of minerals from a slurry that includes both mining cuttings with solids that contain the minerals and a fluid, the method comprising:
- receiving an input material, which includes at least the slurry of mining cuttings with solids that contain the minerals and the fluid, at a receiving hopper;
- combining the input material and a transport liquid to create a conveyable slurry;
- moving the conveyable slurry to a separator;
- separating the conveyable slurry between at least a portion of the transport liquid and at least a portion of the mining cuttings that includes at least a portion of the minerals;
- and
- filtering the at least the portion of the mining cuttings that includes at least a portion of the minerals to provide at least a portion of the solids of the mining cuttings that are above a specified size, and to provide at least a portion of the fluid and the solids of the mining cuttings that are below the specified size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.