Shaker table with inertial gas/fluid separation means

A method of separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings on a shaker comprising:

• introducing drill cuttings contaminated with drilling fluid to an upstream end of a shaker bed having at least one shaker screen;
• applying a vacuum force to the at least one shaker screen while operating the shaker bed, the vacuum force being effective to draw gas and/or drilling fluid through the at least one shaker screen;
• and
• passing at least a portion of the gas and/or drilling fluid through an inertial gas-liquid separation device to remove liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream.

A shaker table apparatus for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one shaker screen for supporting drilling fluid contaminated drill cuttings;
• vibratory means for vibrating said drill cuttings on said at least one shaker screen;
• a vacuum system comprising a vacuum pump, operatively connected to at least a portion of the at least one shaker screen, effective to draw air and drilling fluid through the at least one shaker screen;
• and
• at least one inertial gas-liquid separation device, interposed between said shaker screen and said vacuum pump, effective to remove liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream prior to said liquid particles entering said vacuum pump.