# US 8,771,160 B2 · Gas injection-aided centrifugal separation of entrained solids from a solution

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,771,160 B2
- Document ID: US8771160B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/864,474
- Filed: 2009-01-30
- Published: 2011-01-13
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2008-01-31
- Assignees: F. P. Marangoni Inc.
- Applicants: Daniel Guy Pomerleau
- Inventors: Daniel Guy Pomerleau
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771160B2

## CPC

- B04B 1/20: discharging solid particles from the bowl by a conveying screw coaxial with the bowl axis and rotating relatively to the bowl
- B01D 21/262: {by using a centrifuge}
- B01D 21/32: Density control of clear liquid or sediment, e.g. optical control {; Control of physical properties}
- B04B 15/00: Other accessories for centrifuges
- E21B 21/065: {Separating solids from drilling fluids}
- B01D 2221/04: Separation devices for treating liquids from earth drilling, mining
- B04B: CENTRIFUGES (high-speed drum mills B02C19/11; domestic spin driers D06F; analysing, measuring or monitoring physical or chemical properties of samples during centrifuging, see the relevant subclasses for these procedures, e.g. G01N)
- 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

The present invention describes a centrifuge system and method for improving the separation of entrained solids from a solution. The system and method introduces compressed gas to a fluid containing entrained solids to reduce the density and viscosity of the fluid to promote the settling of particles within the solution.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A centrifuge for enhancing the separation of entrained solids within a solution comprising:
a rotatable bowl for supporting a volume of fluid, the rotatable bowl operatively connected to an input port for introducing fluid to the rotatable bowl;
a fluid discharge port for removing fluid from the rotatable bowl;
a solids discharge port for removing solids from the rotatable bowl; and
a gas injection system operatively connected to the rotatable bowl for introducing a gas into the solution prior to introduction of the solution to the rotatable bowl and dispersing the gas within the rotatable bowl and liquid, the gas injection system being operable to adjust the density and viscosity of the fluid to enhance the centrifugal separation of the entrained solids from the solution during rotation of the rotatable bowl, wherein the entry point of the solution into the rotatable bowl includes a nozzle operatively connected to a pump and to the gas injection system.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein the centrifuge includes a screw conveyor to convey solids to the solids discharge port.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A centrifuge as in claim 1 wherein the gas injection system comprises a valve for adjusting a gas injection parameter, the valve operatively connected to the gas injection system and the nozzle for adjusting the gas injection parameter.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The centrifuge as in claim 3 wherein the gas injection parameter is the relative proportion of the gas to the solution or the degree of mixing of the gas with the solution.

### Claim 5

A method of separating entrained solids suspended within a drilling fluid solution comprising the steps of:
a. introducing a gas into drilling fluid containing the entrained solids, thereby lowering the density and viscosity of the drilling fluid;
b. introducing the drilling fluid containing the gas and the entrained solids into a rotating centrifuge;
c. operating the centrifuge to promote settling of the entrained solids from the drilling fluid; and
d. separately removing separated solids and the drilling fluid from the centrifuge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5 wherein the entry point of the solution into the rotating centrifuge includes a nozzle operatively connected to a pump and to a gas injection system for introducing the gas in step a).

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the gas injection system comprises a valve for adjusting a gas injection parameter, the valve operatively connected to the gas injection system and the nozzle.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein the gas injection parameter is the relative proportion of the gas to the solution or the degree of mixing of the gas with the solution.