Gumbo separator

A gumbo separator for separating gumbo from drilling fluids, comprising:

• a fluids inlet, for passing the gumbo and drilling fluids into the gumbo separator;
• a gumbo outlet, for discharging the gumbo from the gumbo separator;
• a drilling fluids outlet, for discharging the drilling fluids from the gumbo separator;
• an inclined, moving screen belt having a plurality of apertures, for receiving the gumbo and drilling fluids from the fluids inlet;
• a spray disposed substantially below a portion of the screen belt that receives the inlet drilling fluids and gumbo, for spraying gumbo out of the screen belt apertures, said spray comprising drilling fluids substantially free of gumbo, wherein said gumbo from the screen belt apertures is discharged from said drilling fluids outlet;
• a perforated backing plate disposed beneath a portion of the screen belt and upon which the screen belt slides freely, said perforated backing plate having a plurality of perforations.

A gumbo separator for separating gumbo from drilling fluids, comprising:

• a fluids inlet, for passing the gumbo and drilling fluids into the gumbo separator;
• a gumbo outlet, for discharging the gumbo from the gumbo separator;
• a drilling fluids outlet, for discharging the drilling fluids from the gumbo separator;
• an inclined, moving screen belt having a plurality of apertures, for receiving the gumbo and drilling fluids from the fluids inlet;
• a spray disposed substantially below a portion of the screen belt that receives the inlet drilling fluids and gumbo, for spraying gumbo out of the screen belt apertures, said spray comprising drilling fluids substantially free of gumbo, wherein said gumbo from the screen belt apertures is discharged from said drilling fluids outlet,
• a perforated backing plate disposed beneath a portion of the screen belt and upon which the screen belt slides freely, said perforated backing plate having a plurality of perforations;
• a belt cleaning brush for brushing gumbo from the screen to the gumbo outlet, said belt cleaning brush moving in a direction substantially opposite to that of the screen belt at the point where the belt cleaning brush brushes gumbo from the screen belt;
• and
• a puddle wall and a puddle seal for retaining a puddle of drilling fluids on a portion of the screen belt, said puddle creating a head of fluid in contact with said screen belt sufficient to assist in forcing the drilling fluids through said plurality of apertures.

Apparatus for separating solids from a solution containing fluid and solids, comprising:

• a vessel having a solution inlet and a fluid outlet;
• a solids discharge outlet in said vessel for discharging solids removed from the solution;
• an inclined belt within said vessel having a top surface for transporting solids from a first end adjacent to said solution inlet to a second end adjacent to said solids discharge outlet, said belt formed of a nonmetallic material and having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough;
• a motor and drive mechanism for rotating said belt;
• a perforated backing plate disposed beneath at least a portion of said belt and upon which said belt slides during rotation;
• a puddle wall in said vessel adjacent to and beneath said solution inlet for retaining a head of the solution containing the solids on said first end of said inclined belt, said head sufficient to assist in forcing the solution through said plurality of apertures.

A method for separating a solid-liquid suspension fluid from an inlet suspension containing a solid which forms a rheopectic fluid in suspension, comprising the steps of:

• forming a puddle of inlet suspension fluid at a low end of a continuous, inclined, screen belt having a plurality of screening apertures, to create a hydrostatic head over the screening apertures beneath the puddle, said hydrostatic head being sufficient to assist at least a portion of the solid-liquid suspension fluid through said plurality of screening apertures;
• moving the screen belt with energy sufficient only to convey the solid from the low end to a high end of the screen belt without allowing the solid to clog the screening apertures;
• passing the solid-liquid suspension fluid through the screening apertures;
• passing the screen belt around a roller such that a substantial portion of the solid falls from the screen belt under the influences of gravity and its own inertia.