# US 2014/0197030 A1 · Apparatus and method for density separator for drilling fluid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0197030 A1 - Document ID: US20140197030A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/214,103 - Filed: 2014-03-14 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2009-07-23 - Assignees: National Oilwell Varco, L.P. - Applicants: National Oilwell Varco, L.P. - Inventors: Thomas R. Larson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140197030A1 ## CPC - B03C 1/023: Separation using Lorentz force, i.e. deflection of electrically charged particles in a magnetic field - B03C 1/32: acting on the medium containing the substance being separated, e.g. magneto-gravimetric-, magnetohydrostatic-, or magnetohydrodynamic separation - B01D 21/26: Separation of sediment aided by centrifugal force {or centripetal force}(centrifuges B04B; cyclones B04C) - B03C 1/02: acting directly on the substance being separated - B03C 1/0335: {using coils} - B03C 1/035: Open gradient magnetic separators, i.e. separators in which the gap is unobstructed, characterised by the configuration of the gap - B03C 1/30: Combinations with other devices, not otherwise provided for - B03C 5/02: Separators - E21B 21/065: {Separating solids from drilling fluids} - B03C 2201/18: Magnetic separation whereby the particles are suspended in a liquid - B03C: MAGNETIC OR ELECTROSTATIC SEPARATION OF SOLID MATERIALS FROM SOLID MATERIALS OR FLUIDS; SEPARATION BY HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRIC FIELDS (separating isotopes B01D59/00; combinations of magnetic or electrostatic separation with separation of solids by other means B03B, B07B) - 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) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS ## Abstract An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for separating material from a fluid mixture, the system comprising: an inlet for the fluid mixture; and a primary chamber coupled to the inlet, the primary chamber comprising: a first zone for receiving fluid from the inlet, wherein the first zone comprises an electrode array to suspend a first material of the fluid mixture; a second zone situated above the first zone, the second zone receives a second material of the fluid mixture that results above the first material a third zone situated below the first zone to receive a third material that results below the first suspended material. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the second zone comprises a lower launder and an upper launder, wherein the upper launder is positioned within the lower launder and wherein both the upper and lower launder each have a counduit extending outside the primary chamber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the electrode array comprises a plurality of electromagnetic plates positioned inside the first zone and the plates are evenly spaced one above the other. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the electromagnetic plates comprise points and arcs that have opposite magnetic poles. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the electrode array further comprises an electric coil positioned around the electromagnetic plates. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the electrode array further comprises an electric coil that positioned around the primary chamber. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a level control mechanism to control a fluid level in the primary chamber. ### Claim 8 A method for separating material from a fluid mixture, the method comprising the steps of: (a) supplying the fluid mixture; (b) collecting the fluid mixture in a primary chamber, wherein the primary chamber comprises an electrode array having at least two electromagnetic plates positioned one on top of the other; and (c) suspending a first material of the fluid mixture in the primary chamber between the two electromagnetic plates, wherein a second material of the fluid mixture results above the first suspended material and a third material of the fluid mixture results below the first suspended material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the electrode array comprises eight electromagnetic plates arranged into four upper and four lower plates and wherein the first material is suspended in the area between the four upper and the four lower plates.