Method and apparatus for solid-liquid separation of drilling fluids for analysis
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorRobert J. Murphy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method for solid-liquid separation and analysis of drilling fluids is described. The method includes heating a retort body to a pre-determined temperature, with an inner wall of the retort body at least partially defines a chamber within the retort body. A sample drilling fluid may be automatically injected into the inner chamber, and a film of the sample drilling fluid may be generated on the inner wall of the retort body. The film may be separated into a solid portion and a vapor. The method may further include collecting vapor using a vent that provides fluid communication with the inner chamber, and condensing the vapor into a fluid portion of the film. The volume of the fluid portion may them be automatically measured.
Claims18
A method, comprising:
- maintaining a retort body at a pre-determined temperature, wherein an inner wall of the retort body at least partially defines a chamber within the retort body;
- injecting a pre-determined volume of a sample drilling fluid into the inner chamber;
- generating a film of the sample drilling fluid on the inner wall using a rotor comprising a rectangular blade portion with at least one roller that at least partially contacts the inner wall;
- separating the film into a solid portion and a liquid portion, wherein separating the film into a liquid portion includes generating a vapor of the liquid portion;
- and
- collecting the liquid portion using a vent that provides fluid communication with the inner chamber.
An apparatus for solid-liquid separation and analysis of drilling fluids, comprising:
- a retort body, wherein the retort body comprises an inner wall that at least partially defines an inner chamber within the retort body;
- a fluid injector in fluid communication with the inner chamber;
- a rotor at least partially disposed within the inner chamber, wherein the rotor comprises a rectangular blade portion with at least one roller that at least partially contacts the inner wall;
- a heating element coupled to the retort body;
- and
- a first condenser in fluid communication with the inner chamber.
An apparatus for solid-liquid separation and analysis of drilling fluids, comprising:
- a retort, wherein the retort includes a retort body with an inner wall that at least partially defines an inner chamber within the retort body;
- a fluid injector in fluid communication with the inner chamber, wherein the fluid injector is operable to inject a pre-determined volume of a sample drilling fluid into the inner chamber;
- a rotor at least partially disposed within the inner chamber, wherein the rotor is driven by a motor, and wherein the rotor is operable to generate a film of the sample drilling fluid on the inner wall;
- a first heating element coupled to the retort body, wherein the heating element is operable to heat the retort body to a first pre-determined temperature and to cause the film to separate into a solid portion and a vapor;
- a first condenser in fluid communication with the inner chamber, wherein the first condenser is operable to condense at least part of the vapor into a first liquid portion and to collect the first fluid portion;
- a second heating element coupled to the fluid condenser, wherein the second heating element is operable to heat the first condenser body to a second pre-determined temperature;
- a first automated measurement apparatus coupled to the first condenser, wherein the first automated measurement apparatus is operable to measure the volume of the first liquid portion;
- an automated control system, wherein the automated control system comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes instructions that cause the processor to transmit control signals to at least the fluid injector, motor, and heating element, and to receive a measurement signal from the first optical measurement apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.