System and Method for Treating Drill Cuttings
OwnerVincent Joseph HUGHESinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for recycling drilling fluid. The system has a washer coupled to a drilling rig. The washer receives drill cuttings with entrained drilling fluid. The drilling fluid has a base, and the washing fluid has the same base fluid. The washer fluid is used to remove drilling fluid from the drill cuttings. The washed drill cuttings are sent to a shaker to separate the solids. The spent washing fluid is sent to a filter which separates solids and recovers the base fluid. The base fluid can then be used for drilling or washing.
Claims18
A system for recycling drilling fluid, said system comprising:
- a washer coupled to a drilling rig, wherein said washer receives drill cuttings and a washer fluid, and wherein said drill cuttings comprise entrained drilling fluid;
- wherein said drilling fluid comprises a base fluid, and wherein said washer fluid uses said base fluid to clean said drill cuttings;
- a shaker whereby washed drill cuttings are placed upon said shaker to separate solids;
- a filter which further separates solids and recovers base fluid;
- a mud tank which houses base fluid.
A method of cleaning drill cuttings, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) receiving drill cuttings which have drilling fluid, wherein said drilling fluid comprises a base fluid;
- b) washing said drill cuttings with the same base fluid to produce washed solids;
- c) depositing said washed solids into a shaker;
- d) separating solids from liquids in said shaker.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.