Apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden liquid
AssigneeNational Oilwell Varco, L.P.
InventorJan Helge Sorensen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden drilling mud (14), the method comprising the steps of introducing solids laden drilling mud to a first side of a screen (13), the drilling mud passing through the screen (13) and screened drilling mud located the other side of the screen (13) characterised in that an oscillating tray (18) is located in the drilling mud and spaced from the screen, the oscillating tray imparting motion to the drilling mud to facilitate screening of said solids laden drilling mud in the screen (13).
Claims32
1-30. (canceled)
A method for separating solids from a mixture of drilling mud and solids, the method comprising
- introducing a mixture of drilling mud and solids to a screen, the screen having a first side and a second side, the screen positioned in a container, the mixture introduced to the first side of the screen,
- passing drilling mud from the mixture through the screen, said drilling mud passing through the first side of the screen and then through the second side of the screen, and
- imparting motion with an oscillating tray to the mixture to facilitate screening thereof, the oscillating tray spaced from the screen.
The method of 44 wherein the screen rotates such that at any time a lower part thereof has drilling mud on both sides of the screen.
An apparatus for separating solids from a mixture, the mixture comprising drilling fluid and solids, the apparatus comprising
- a screen,
- a tray,
- an oscillatory mechanism connected to the tray for imparting oscillations to the tray
- the tray positioned so that the tray when oscillated imparts oscillations to drilling fluid adjacent the screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.