CA2385739C - Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2385739C
CA2385739C CA 2385739 CA2385739A CA2385739C CA 2385739 C CA2385739 C CA 2385739C CA 2385739 CA2385739 CA 2385739 CA 2385739 A CA2385739 A CA 2385739A CA 2385739 C CA2385739 C CA 2385739C
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tank
fluid
compartment
solids
wall
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CA 2385739
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French (fr)
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CA2385739A1 (en
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Darin M. Harding
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Priority to CA 2385739 priority Critical patent/CA2385739C/en
Priority to CA002596413A priority patent/CA2596413A1/en
Publication of CA2385739A1 publication Critical patent/CA2385739A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2385739C publication Critical patent/CA2385739C/en
Priority to US12/386,836 priority patent/US20090206027A1/en
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Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B21/00Methods or apparatus for flushing boreholes, e.g. by use of exhaust air from motor
    • E21B21/06Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole
    • E21B21/063Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole by separating components
    • E21B21/065Separating solids from drilling fluids

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Auxiliary Devices For Machine Tools (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for recycling drilling fluids used in the drilling of wells. The apparatus comprises a tank with a plurality of compartments. Used drilling fluid containing well cuttings or "solids" is pumped into a receiving compartment of the tank and directed towards a flow-reversing barrier. Reversal of the flow causes heavier solids to settle to the bottom of the tank. As fluid fills the receiving compartment, it flows downstream into an adjacent compartment by passing through a flow-restricting baffle that causes more solids to settle to the bottom of the tank. As fluid overflows from compartment to compartment in the tank, it passes through successive flow-restricting baffles causing further solids to settle to the bottom of the tank. When the fluid reaches the collecting compartment of the tank, it is removed to be used again in drilling operations. A conveyor extending along the bottom of the tank is used to move the settled solids to the collecting compartment, from which they are removed and pumped through a centrifuge to recover residual fluids.

Description

1 "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING CUTTiNGS
2 FROM DRILLING FLUIDS"
3 fjELD OF INV~'iNIION
4 The present invention relates to a nuthod and apparatus for recycling dnlling fluids used in the dnlling of wells.

6 bACKGRO= OE THE 2MNT,IQN

7 The drilling of wells in the recovery of oil and gas typically compri.ses a rig 8 dnlling the well with a hollow drill string. As the well is baing drilled, drilling fluids 9 are pumped down the bore of r.he string. The drilling fluid passes through openings in the drill bit and returns to che surface through the annulus surrounding the string, l 1 carrying the cuttings produced by the drill bit. The drilling fluid is then recycled to 12 remove the cuttings so that it may be used again.

13 Tradiuonal methods of recycling drilling fluid include using a centrifuge to 14 separaie the liquid from the cuttings. In large drilling operations, to keep up with the volume of drilling fluid used, it is necessary to use either a very large centrifuge or to 16 use a multiiude of centrifuges. In either case, the costs of operating such a dti.lling 17 fluid recycling system are substantial.

18 lt is known to use a settling tAnk in combination with a cenrrifuge in a fluid 19 recycling system_ The settling tank is used as a preliminary sTep to settle the cuttings from the 21 fluid- The cuttings often renzain in suspension in the fluid and are often referred to as 22 "solids". Flocculating agents may be introduced into the tank to assist in the settling 1 t 63o'77374 Poc. l t 1 of solids. The drilling fluids are pumped into the receiving end of the ta.nk. The tank 2 has a plurality of transverse walls or baffles that form a plurality of comparunents 3 within the tank_ Each wall has an opening to penrut the flow of fluid from an 4 upstream compartment to a downstreatn compartment_ The openings are positioned on the walls in sc;ch a manner that the fluid follows a sinuous path as it flows fronz the 6 receiving end to the collecting end of the tank. As fluid flows from compartrnent to 7 compartment, solids in the fluid settle to the bottonm of the tank.

8 Once fluid reaches the collecting end of the tank, it is withdrawn from the tank 9 to be used in the drilling operation. The settled solids are conveyed towards the receiving end of the tank using an auger_ A slurry of settled solids and fluid are 11 withdrawn from the tank and pumped through a centrifuge. Fluid recovered from the 12 centrifuge is re-introduced into the r.ank at the receiving end.

13 While using the combination of settling tank and centrifuge is an improvement 14 in comparison to using a centrifuge by irself, in practice, this circuit is often unable to keep up with the throughput of drilling fluid required in drilling a well. It is often 16 necessary to temporarily halt drilling of the well until the settling tank and centrifuge 17 can catch up and recover enough drilling fluid to commence drilling opera.tions again.
18 The present inventaon addresses the shortconiings of the prior art and provides 19 a medtod and appamtus that is better capable of recycling drilling fluid in sufficient quantity for typical dnUing operations.

2 1 M77374 AOC.S t 1 StTM&URY OF THE INVRNTION

2 The present invention is concerned with t- method and apparatus for recycling 3 drilling fluids used in the drilling of wells_ 4 The apparatus of the present invention coinprises a tank whose interior space is sub-divided into a plurality of compartments. Transverse walls are located within 6 the tank, spaced approxuuately equidistant apart along the length of the tank to define 7 the companments of the tank. At one end of the tank, there is a receiving 8 compartment. At the other end, there is a collecting compartment- A flow-reversing 9 barrier locaied in the receiving compartment. The barrier compnses a venical rec:tangular back panel with two vertical rectangular side panels extending 11 perpendicular from the back panel to form a U-shaped structure. A bottom 12 rectangular plate extends from the back panel partway along the bottom edges of the 13 side panels, parnially enclosing the bottom of the barrier_ 14 In each of the transverse walls, there is an opening in the upper end of the wall that enables fluid to flow from an upstream compartment into an adjacent downstream 16 compartment. A flow-restricting baffle is mounted on the downsTream side of each 17 transverse wall, aligned with the opening. The baffle comprises a vertical rectangular 18 back plate with two vertical rectangular side walls that extend perpendicular from the 19 back plate to form a U-shaped structure_ The baffle attaches to the wall on either side of ihe opening. The top edges of the plate and side walls are substanttally aligned 21 with the Top of the transverse wall whereas the bottom edge of the plate extends lower 22 into the cornpartment than the side walls. Each baffle side wall has a plurality of 23 openings or slots.

3 j$3077374.INX;1 ) 1 The bottom wall of the tank forms at least one trough that runs lengthwise 2 along the tank, passing through each of the compartments- There is a conveyor in.
3 each trough for moving solids towards the collecting compartment. ln the preferred 4 embodiment of the apparatus, there are four compattments and two troughs running along the bottom of the tank, each trough comprising an auger.

6 The method of the present invention comprises pumping drilling fluid 7 containing solids into the receiving compar[ment and directing the fluid towards the 8 flow-reversing barrier. As the #ltud stYilces the barrier, the fluid stops and reverses its 9 flqw in order to flow around the side panels of the barrier. Ttus causes heavier ,olids within the fluid settle to the boinom of the tank.

11 As fluid fills the receiving compantnent, the level of the fluid will rise to ihe 12 opening in the transverse wall separating the receiving coxnparttnent from the adjacent 13 downstrcam compartment. Fliud flowing through the opening encounters the flow-14 restrscting baffle where ir passes through the slots in the side walls and the botrom opening of the baffle. This causes solids in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the 16 tank-17 As fluid flows from compamnent to compartment, it passes through 18 subsequent baffles in each transverse wall opening until the fluid reaches the 19 collecting compartznent. By the time the fluid reaches the collecting eomparement, substantially all of the solids in the fluid have settled to the bottom of the tank_ Fluid 21 is then removed from the collecting departin.ent to be used again in the drilling 22 operations.

4 ( P3U77374 tOC.l }

1 The serrled solids are moved towards the collecting comparanent by an auger 2 in each rrough. The augers expel a slurry of solids and fluid through outlets on the 3 end wall of the tank. The slurry is then pumped through a centrifuge. The residual 4 fluid in the slurry is removed by the centrifuge and introduced back into the receiving comparrment.

6 A flocculating chemical agent may also be used to assist in settling solids from 7 the drilling fluid. In the apparatus as built, drilling fluid is skimmed from the 8 coliecting compartment and mixed wiih a floccularing chemical_ The mixture is 9 pumped into the receiving compartrAent and mixes with the received drilling fluid.

Broadly stated, one aspecr of the present invention is a merhod for recycling 11 drilling fluid used in drilling operations comprising the steps of directing a stream of 12 drilling fluid containing solids into a flow-reversing bdxrier located in a receiving 13 com.partment of a setrhng tank, the settling tank further comprising a collecting 14 compartment, rhe collecting compartment separated from the receiving compartment by a transverse wall, the wall defining an aperture with a flow-restricting baffle 16 attached thereto, the flow-reversing barrier capable of causing the stream ro reverse 17 direction and flow around the barrier thereby causing at least sorme of the solids 18 contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank, allowing the stream of fluid 19 to fiil the receiving compartment and pass ihrough the aperture and flow-resrricting baffle of the transverse wall as the fluid flows in a f'ust direcuon from the receiving 21 comparpment to the collecting compartment, the flow-restricting baffle capable of 22 causing at least some of the remaining solids contained in the fluid to settle to the 23 bottom of the tank as the fluid flows through the aperture and baffle, allowing the 5 j E30'77374, DC1C;1 }

I fluid to flow in the first direction and fill the collecting compartment, extracting fluid 2 from the collecting computment for re-use in drilling operations, moving the settled 3 solids on the bottom of the tank in the first direction towards an outlet locared in the 4 collecting compartment, and removing a mixture of fluid and solids from the outlet.

Broadly stated, another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for 6 recycling drilling fluid used in drilling operations comprising a setding tank having 7 first and second end walls, two side walls extending between the end walls and a 8 bottom enclosing the area defined by the bottom edges of the end walls and the side 9 walls, the tank forming a receiving comparcmenc adjacent to the first end wall and a colleeting compartment ad.lacent to the second end wall, the second end wall defining 11 an outlet, a flow-reversing barrier mounted in the receiving compartment, the barrier 12 adapted to receive a stream of drilling fluid containing solids, the barrier capable of 13 causing the stream to reverse direction and flow around the barrier thereby causing at 14 least some of the solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank, a wall transversely mounted in the tank between the side walls, the wall separating the 16 receiving and collecting compatcmenrs, the wall defining an apenure having a flow-17 restricting baffle, the baffle extending perpendicular from the wall towards the 18 collecting compartment, the baffle capable of causing at least some of the remaining 19 solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank as fluid flows in a first direction from the receiving comparunent to the collecting compartment and passes 21 through the aperture and baffle, and a material conveyor for moving the settled solids 22 at the bottom of the tank towards the outlet on the second end wall.

6 i B3077374.DOC;1 J

1 aRiEE DF-SCIg>noN oFTHE DRw_ wn Gs 2 FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of che present invention.
3 FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of the present invention.

4 FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional end view of Section III-III.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the flow-reversing bairier of the apparatus 6 of the present invention-7 FIGURE 5 is a front elevational view of ihe flow-reversing barner of the 8 apparatus of the present invention.

9 FIGURE 6 is a top plan view of the flow-reversing bamer of the apparatus of IO the present invention.

11 FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the flow-restricring baffle of the 12 appar=atus of [he present invention-13 FIGURE 8 is a perspective view of the flow-resmcting baffle of the apparatus 14 of the present inveniion_ FIGURE 9 is a from elevational view of che flow-restricting baffle of the 16 apparatus of the present invention_ 17 FIGLTRE 10 is a top plan view of the flow-restricting baffle of the apparatus of 18 the preseni invention.

~ (E3077374 AOC.1) 1 F1GilRE 11 is a side elevational view of the flow-restricting baffle of the 2 apparatus of the present invention.

3 DETAILED E CRIP'I'1QN OF THE PJLEFE~tItED EMBOpIIVIEN'' 4 The present invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for recycling drilling fluids used in the drilling of wells. Illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 is the 6 preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. The apparatus 10 7 includes settling tank 12 which comprises of end walls 8 and 9, side walls 13 and 8 bottom 19. Prefet~ably, the dimensions of tank 12 are 50 feet long by 5 feet high by 10 9 feet wide. The preferred embodiinent has three uansverse walls 15 within iank 12 to lu form four compartments that are approximately 3,172 gallon.s in volume each for a i t tota] capacity of 12,688 gallons in tank 12. One comparr.ment defined by a transverse 12 wall 15 is receiving compartment 14 located adjacent to end wall 8 of tank 12.
13 Another compartment defined by a transverse wall 15 is collecting eompartnnent 14 14 located adjacent to end wal19 of tank 12_ The third transverse wall 15 defines the two intermediate compartments 18 between receiving compartment 14 and collecting 16 compan.ment 16. Pump 34 is located in collecting cotnpartment 16 to wirhdraw fluid 17 that has passed through tank 12 for re-use in drilling operations.

18 Bottom wall 19 of tank 12 in combination with inverted V-shaped rib 62 form 19 troughs 38 and 60 Ihat run lengthwise along tank 12 from end wal18 to end wall 9. In troet,ghs 38 and 60, respectively, augers 30 and 31 are used as material conveyors to 21 move settled solids towards outlets 32 located on end wall 9. In the preferred 22 embodiment, augers 30 and 31 are 10 inches in diameter and have a pitch of 23 inches. Augers 30 and 31 tum at approximately 9 revoluuons per minute and are 8 JE307737;.DCC.1 I

1 driven by drive mechmism 28. In the preferred embodiment, drive mechanism 28 2 comprises of an electric tnotor in the 2 to 3 horsepower range coupled to a gearbox 3 (not shown). The output of the gearbox is coupled to one auger via a belt and pulley 4 system (not shown)_ To synchronize the two augers to iutn at the same rate, each auger has a chain sprocket and are coupled to one another via a drive chain (not 6 shown). It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that drive mechanism 28 may 7 also use an internal combustion engine or a hydraulic diive system as the motive 8 power to turn uhe augen. It should also be obvious that the gear rario of the gearbox 9 and the pulley sizes are dependent on the rype of motive power used in order to oblaln the desired turning raie of the augers.
11 A flow-reversing barrier 20 constructed from sheet steel is mounted 12 substalltially in the centre of receiving compartment 14 as shown in FT.GIJRES 1 and 13 2. Referring to FIGURES 4, 5, 6;uld 7, barrier 20 has a vertical main back panel 46 14 of approximately 34 inches high by 36 inches wide dnd two vertical side panels 42 perpendicular to back panel 46, each side panel 42 being approximaiely 34 inches 16 high by 24 inches wide rhereby fornling a U-shaped structure. Balrier 20 also has a 17 bottom plate 44 between side panels 42 approximately 36 inches wide extending 12 18 inches from back panel 46 along the bottom edge of side panels 42. The top of 19 barrier 20 is supported by support bar 40 that runs transverse across the top of lanlc 12. Bottom plate 44 sits on top of rib 62. Barrier 20 is further supported by struts 41 21 that extend diagonally upward from rib 62 ro the bottom edge of back panel 46. This 22 results in the top of barrier 20 being approximately flush with the top of tank 12_ 9 {E3077374 Poc.1) 1 Within tank 12, transverse walls 15 define and separate receiving 2 compaztm~ent 14, intermediate compartments 18 and collecting compartment 16 3 within tank 12. On each transverse wail 15, there is an opening 23 located near or at = 4 the top of transverse wall 15. Preferably, opetung 23 is approximately 12 inches high by 18 inches wide. A flow-resuicting baffle 22 is mounted on the downstream side of 6 each transverse 15 wall, aligned with opening 23 as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2.
7 Referring to FIGURES 8, 9, 10 and 11, baffle 22 is constructed from sheet steel and 8 has a vertical back plate 52 approximately 28 inches high by 18 inches wide and two 9 vertical side walls 50 perpendicular to back plate 52, each side wall 50 being approximately 24 inches high by 8 inches wide to form a U-shaped structure.
Each 11 side wall 50 of baffle 22 has five horizontal openings 54, each approximately 6 inches 12 wide by 2 inches high, stacked vertically on side wall 50.

13 Refemng to FIGURES 1 and 2, the preferred embodiment of the apparatus 14 also includes mixsng tank 36 attached to end wall 9 of tank 12. Contained in mixing tank 36 is mixer 37. Mixer 37 is mechanically coupled to, auger 30 contained in 16 trough 38 such that mixer 37 operates when auger 30 is dnven by drive mechanism 17 28. Mixer 37 is used to prepare a flocculating cherrucal agent that assists in settling 18 solids from the drilling fluid. In the apparatus as built, drilling fluid is skimmed from 19 collecting compartment 16 and nuxed with the chemical in mixer 37 and is pumped into receiving comparunent 14 to mix with the received drilling fluid and assist in the 21 settling of solids contained the drilling fluid. Another feature of the preferred 22 embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention includes a walkway 64 is 23 mounted on a side wall 13 to permit an operator to inspect the fluid as passes through 24 tank 12.

10 [F3077374.I)OC:1) 1 In operation, drilling fluid cQntaining solids is pumped from holding tank 2 into receiving compaiment 14 and directed towards flow-reversing barrier 20 via 3 inlet 26. The flow of fluid is stopped by barrier 20 and reverses to flow around side 4 panels 42. This causes heavier solids to settle to troughs 38 and 60 of tank 12. As the fluid level rises in receiving compartment 14, the fluid will overflow into the adjacent 6 downstream intermediate comparrment 18 rhrough opening 23 in transverse wall 7 separating the two compartments. Fluid flowing through opening 23 encounters flow-8 restricting baffle 22 where the fluid will strike back plate 52 and deflect downwards to 9 boitom 19 of tank 12. FlLud also passes through slats 54 in side walls 50 of baffle 22.
The flow of fluid through baffle 22 causes further solids in the fluid to settle to the 11 bottom of tank 12. Fluid flows from compartment to compartment by passing through 12 successive baffles 22 in each transverse wall 15 until the fluid reaches eolleeting 13 compartment 16_ Fluid is withdrawn from collecting compartment 16 by pump 34 to 14 be used again in the drilling operations.

The solids that have settled to the bottom 19 of tank 12 are conveyed by 16 augers 30 and 31 along troughs 38 and 60, respectively towards collectung 17 companrnent 16. Augers 30 and 31 expel a slurry of solids and fluid through outlets 18 32 on end wall 9 of tank 12. In the preferred embodiment, outlets 32 are coupled to 19 pipes 33 which are preferably 10 inches in diatneter. Pipes 33 extent to intersect with plenum 56, also made of 10 inch diameter pipe. Plenum 56 has end covers 57 that are 21 removable that allow for clean-out of plenum 56. Plenum. 56 receives the slurry 22 discharged from ourlets 32 and directs the slurry to discharge ports 58.
Ports 58 are 23 typicaAy 4 inches in diameter and are connected via tubes, pipes or hoses (not shown) 24 to a pump (not shown) to transfer the slurry to a centrifuge (not shown).
The 31 {P3077374 DOC; I }

1 centrifuge is used to separate the residual fluid from the solids in the slurry. Fluid 2 recovered from the centrifuge may be re-introduced into the tank at the receiving 3 compartment to remove further residual solids or it may be re-used directly in the 4 drilling operations.

The apparatus as built can accommodate a flow rate of drilling fluid in the 6 range of 0 to 500 gallons per minute. It should be obvious to those skilled in the art 7 that the size of tank 12 and the volume of each compartment is a function of the 8 volume of drilling fluid to be recycled and the amount of solids that need to be 9 removed from the fluids to facilitate their reuse. The size and dimensions of tank 12 can be scaled larger or smaller, accordingly, to suit the drilling operation the present 11 invention is being used with. While the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the 12 present invention incorporates three transverse walls to form four compartments, 13 fewer or more transverse walls may be installed in the settling tank to accommodate 14 the volume of drilling fluid required for the drilling operations.

Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will 16 be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might 17 be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The terms and 18 expressions used in the preceding specification have been used herein as terms of 19 description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding equivalents of the features shown and described or portions 21 thereof, it being recognized that the scope of the invention is defined and limited only 22 by the claims that follow.

12 (E5232783.DOC;1)

Claims (12)

1. A method for recycling drilling fluid containing solids, comprising:

a) directing a stream of drilling fluid containing solids into a flow-reversing barrier located in a receiving compartment of a settling tank, the settling tank further comprising a collecting compartment, the collecting compartment separated from the receiving compartment by a transverse wall, the wall defining an aperture with a flow-restricting baffle attached thereto, the flow-reversing barrier capable of causing the stream to reverse direction and flow around the barrier thereby causing at least some of the solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank;

b) allowing the stream of fluid to fill the receiving compartment and pass through the aperture and flow-restricting baffle of the transverse wall as the fluid flows in a first direction from the receiving compartment to the collecting compartment, the flow-restricting baffle capable of causing at least some of the remaining solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank as the fluid flows through the aperture and baffle;

c) allowing the fluid to flow in the first direction and fill the collecting compartment;

d) extracting fluid from the collecting compartment for re-use in drilling operations;

e) moving the settled solids on the bottom of the tank in the first direction towards an outlet located in the collecting compartment; and f) removing a mixture of fluid and solids from the outlet.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of flowing the fluid in the first direction through an aperture with a flow-restricting baffle of at least one additional transverse wall, the at least one additional transverse wall located between the receiving compartment and the collecting compartment in the tank and defining at least one intermediate compartment, the flow-restricting baffle capable of causing at least some of the remaining solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank as the fluid flows through the aperture and baffle.
3. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing an effective amount of a flocculating agent into the receiving compartment as the stream of drilling fluid containing solids is directed towards the flow-reversing barrier.
4. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of passing the mixture of fluid and solids removed from the outlet through a centrifuge having an overflow and an underflow whereby the overflow produces an additional amount of fluid for re-use in drilling operations.
5. An apparatus for removing solids from drilling fluid, comprising:

a) a settling tank having first and second end walls, two side walls extending between the end walls and a bottom enclosing the area defined by the bottom edges of the end walls and the side walls, the tank forming a receiving compartment adjacent to the first end wall and a collecting compartment adjacent to the second end wall, the second end wall defining an outlet;

b) a flow-reversing barrier mounted in the receiving compartment, the barrier adapted to receive a stream of drilling fluid containing solids, the barrier capable of causing the stream to reverse direction and flow around the barrier thereby causing at least some of the solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank;

c) a wall transversely mounted in the tank between the side walls, the wall separating the receiving and collecting compartments, the wall defining an aperture having a flow-restricting baffle, the baffle extending perpendicular from the wall towards the collecting compartment, the baffle capable of causing at least some of the remaining solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank as fluid flows in a first direction from the receiving compartment to the collecting compartment and passes through the aperture and baffle; and d) a material conveyor for moving the settled solids at the bottom of the tank towards the outlet on the second end wall.
6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein the barrier is mounted substantially central in the receiving compartment, the barrier comprising:

a) a rectangular back panel, the panel parallel to the first end wall;

b) two rectangular side panels extending perpendicular from the side edges of the back panel towards the first end wall; and c) a rectangular bottom plate extending perpendicular from the bottom edge of the back panel towards the first end wall and extending between the side panels, the bottom plate affixed to the back panel and the side panels.
7. The apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 5 to 6 further comprising at least one additional wall transversely mounted between the side walls thereby defining an at least one intermediate compartment between the receiving and collecting compartments, the at least one additional wall defining an aperture having a flow-restricting baffle, the baffle extending from the at least one additional wall towards the collecting compartment, the baffle capable of causing at least some of the remaining solids in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank as the fluid flows in the first direction through the aperture and baffle.
8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the baffle comprises a rectangular back plate parallel to the wall, the back plate spaced apart from the wall by two rectangular side walls extending perpendicular from the side edges of the back plate towards the wall and attached thereupon, each side wall defining a plurality of slot-shaped openings.
9. The apparatus as set forth in any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the bottom of the tank comprises a v-shaped trough running lengthwise along the tank from the first end wall to the second end wall, the trough adapted to collect solids settled from the fluid, the trough aligned with the outlet on the second end wall.
10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein the material conveyor is an auger running lengthwise along the bottom of the trough, the auger driven by a drive mechanism mounted on the first end wall, the auger capable of moving settled solids towards the second end wall and through the outlet.
11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein the bottom of the tank comprises two parallel v-shaped troughs running lengthwise along the tank from the first end wall to the second end wall, the second end wall having two outlets, each outlet aligned with a trough, each trough having an auger driven by the drive mechanism, each auger capable of moving settled solids towards the second end wall and through an outlet.
12. The apparatus as set forth in any of claims 5 to 11 further comprising a centrifuge.
CA 2385739 2002-05-09 2002-05-09 Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids Expired - Fee Related CA2385739C (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2385739 CA2385739C (en) 2002-05-09 2002-05-09 Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids
CA002596413A CA2596413A1 (en) 2002-05-09 2002-05-09 Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids
US12/386,836 US20090206027A1 (en) 2002-05-09 2009-04-20 Apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2385739 CA2385739C (en) 2002-05-09 2002-05-09 Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids

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CA2385739C true CA2385739C (en) 2008-01-15

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CA002596413A Abandoned CA2596413A1 (en) 2002-05-09 2002-05-09 Method and apparatus for removing cuttings from drilling fluids

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CA2608798A1 (en) 2007-04-16 2008-10-16 Ambrose Ralph Method and appartus for removing suspended solids from aqueous fluids
CN112983318B (en) * 2019-12-17 2023-05-26 中国石油天然气股份有限公司 Treatment device and treatment method for drilling waste

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