Apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden drilling fluid

An apparatus for separating solids from solids laden drilling fluid, the apparatus comprising:

• a skid;
• a basket resiliently suspended to the skid, the basket having at least one screen deck for receiving at least one screen, the basket having a feed end at which solids laden drilling fluid is introduced and a discharge end at which solids are discharged through a solids discharge opening,
• a vibratory mechanism to vibrate the basket;
• a hood encompassing at least a discharge end of the basket;
• at least one extraction outlet arranged at the discharge end to remove fume laden air from the basket;
• a sump arranged beneath the basket the sump having a sump discharge opening;
• wherein the at least one replacement air opening is the sump discharge opening supplying replacement air to replace fume laden air removed through the at least one extraction outlet.

A bank of shale shakers each shale shaker comprising

• a skid;
• a basket resiliently suspended to the skid;, the basket having at least one screen deck for receiving at least one screen, the basket having a feed end at which solids laden drilling fluid is introduced and a discharge end at which solids are discharged through a solids discharge opening;
• a vibratory mechanism to vibrate the basket;
• a hood encompassing at least a discharge end of the basket and at least one extraction outlet arranged at the discharge end to remove fume laden air from the basket;
• and
• a sump arranged beneath the basket the sump having a sump discharge opening;
• wherein the at least one replacement air opening is the sump discharge opening supplying replacement air to replace fume laden air removed through the at least one extraction outlet, each at least one extraction outlet linked by a duct with a ventilation system for drawing fume laden air from each basket of each shale shaker.

A method of separating solids from solids laden drilling mud, comprising:

• using providing a shale shaker comprising:
• a skid;
• a basket resiliently suspended to the skid, the basket arranged over a sump, the basket having at least one screen deck having at least one screen, the basket having a feed end at which solids laden drilling fluid is introduced and a discharge end at which solids are discharged through a solids discharge opening;
• a vibratory mechanism to vibrate the basket
• a hood encompassing at least a discharge end of said basket and at least one extraction outlet arranged at said discharge end;
• drawing fume laden air from the basket through the at least one extraction outlet and replacement air drawn through said a sump outlet.