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US 4,382,341 AGranted
Method for drying drilling mud
AssigneeElectro-Petroleum, Inc.
InventorsChristy W. Bell, Charles H. Titus, Robert Y. Pogontchef
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Direct electric current is passed through drilling mud contained in an earthen mud pit to dry the mud, thereby providing a safe and environmentally acceptable means for disposal of the mud.
Claims10
A method for drying drilling mud comprising the steps of:
- a. providing in the earth's surface a drilling mud drying zone containing a quantity of drilling mud and including at least one electrically conductive element constituting an anode, and a liquid collection zone including at least one electrically conductive element constituting a cathode, said anode being disposed in said drying zone, said cathode being disposed in said collection zone, and said drying zone and said collection zone being positioned so as to permit the conduction of electric current through said drilling mud between said anode and said cathode;
- and
- b. applying across said anode and said cathode a direct electric potential which provides sufficient current to pass between said anode and said cathode, to cause liquid present in said drilling mud to flow toward and accumulate adjacent to said cathode in said liquid collection zone, thus drying said drilling mud.
A method for drying drilling mud present in a pre-existing containment means in the earth's surface, which comprises the steps of:
- a. providing auxiliary containment means in the earth's surface spaced-apart from said pre-existing containment means, said pre-existing containment means and said auxiliary containment means having walls separated by a medium, said walls and medium allowing the conduction of electric current and the flow of liquid between said anode and said cathode;
- b. providing at least one electrically conductive element constituting an anode in the drilling mud in said pre-existing containment means, and at least one electrically conductive element constituting a cathode in said auxiliary containment means, said anode being disposed in said pre-existing containment means and said cathode being disposed in said auxiliary containment means, and said pre-existing and said auxiliary containment means being positioned so as to permit the conduction of electric current through said drilling mud between said electrodes;
- and
- c. applying across said anode and said cathode a direct electric potential which provides sufficient current to pass through said medium between said anode and said cathode, to cause liquid present in said drilling mud in said pre-existing containment means to flow toward said cathode in said auxiliary containment means, thus drying said drilling mud.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.