Apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden liquid
AssigneeNational Oilwell Varco, L.P.
InventorHelge Sorensen Jan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden drilling mud (14), the method comprising the steps of introducing solids laden drilling mud to a first side of a screen (13), the drilling mud passing through the screen (13) and screened drilling mud located the other side of the screen (13) characterized in that an oscillating tray (18) is located in the drilling mud and spaced from the screen, the oscillating tray imparting motion to the drilling mud to facilitate screening of said solids laden drilling mud in the screen (13).
Claims31
A method for separating solids from a mixture of drilling mud and solids, the method comprising
- introducing the mixture of drilling mud and solids to a first side of a screen having a first length, wherein the mixture is introduced to a wet zone located at a first end of the screen,
- passing drilling mud from the mixture through the screen, wherein said drilling mud passes from the first side of the screen to a second side of the screen, and said separated solids substantially remain on the first side of the screen, and
- positioning a tray having a second length that is less than the first length proximate to the wet zone and spaced apart from the second side of the screen, wherein the length of the tray substantially defines a length of the wet zone, and
- oscillating the tray to impart motion to the mixture to facilitate screening thereof, wherein oscillating the tray comprises moving the tray relative to the screen.
An apparatus for separating solids from a mixture, the mixture comprising drilling fluid and solids, the apparatus comprising:
- a screen comprising an inlet end, a first side and a second side, wherein the screen is adapted to receive the mixture to be separated on said first side in a wet zone located proximate to said inlet end, to substantially retain separated solids on said first side, and to discharge drilling fluid from said second side;
- a tray positioned proximate to the wet zone and spaced apart from the second side of the screen, wherein a length of the tray is less than a length of the screen, and wherein the length of the tray substantially defines a length of the wet zone;
- an oscillatory mechanism connected to the tray, wherein said oscillatory mechanism is adapted to move the tray relative to the screen so as to impart oscillations to drilling fluid adjacent the screen.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.