WO2012158209A1

WO2012158209A1 - Shale shakers, separators, & screens with killing of living things in fluids

Info

Publication number: WO2012158209A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/000243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy L. Mcclung, Iii; Guy L. MCCLUNG, IV
Original assignee: Mcclung Guy L Iii; Mcclung Guy L Iv
Priority date: 2011-05-16
Filing date: 2012-05-10
Publication date: 2012-11-22

Abstract

Separators, screens, and shakers are disclosed useful for facilitating the killing of living things in streams associated with separator and shaker operation. Treatment apparatuses kill living things and/or killing material is added to streams to kill living things.

Description

Shale Shakers , Separators & Screens with

Killing of Living Things in Fluids

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[ 0001 ] The present invention, in certain aspects, discloses separators with: killing ability to kill living things in fluids flowing within, or to and/or from a separator; and in one aspect, the separator is a vibratory separator (e.g., a shale shaker). Living things are killed by treating fluid with living things therein to kill the living things and/or by adding killing material into a fluid stream flowing to or from a separator or shaker..

[ 0002 ] In certain aspects, a system according to the present invention has a control system in communication with operable mechanisms, devices, apparatuses, sensors, and detectors associated with a separator or shaker and can provide a variety of functions and operations in response to the

detection of living things and/or detection of the presence and/or flow of fluid (whether it is known or not if living things, are in the fluid) ;

including, but not limited to:

introduction of killing material into a selected stream or streams ;

provision of heat, current, light, microwaves, signals, laser beam, radiation, infrared or UV to a stream to kill living things therein.

[ 0003] In certain aspects, a control system is in communication with and controls sensor apparatus which senses living things in the separator or in a stream associated with the separator, and, in response to sensed living things, the control system effects the applying of killer (treatment and/or killing material) to kill the living things.

[ 0004 ] Optionally, methods according to the present invention include: determining at a first time a first level of living things in the separator or in a stream to or from the separator, e.g., in an input stream to the separator ("baseline data") ; storing data indicative of said level in appropriate storage media; using the sensor apparatus, obtaining second data related to a second level of living things, the second level determined at a second time after the first time, the second time at a time during operation of the separator; comparing the second data to the baseline data and analysing any difference; in response to the second level being greater than the first level doing one, two, or all of the following - applying the killer to the input stream, providing a warning of the level of the second level, shutting down the separator, and/or changing an operating parameter of the separator (e.g., but not limited to, reducing flow rate of an input stream, tilting a screen supporting basket, changing flow regime in a multi-tier separator, e.g. from screens in series to screens in parallel, or vice- versa) .

[ 0005] Alternatively, presence of a specific living thing is sensed instead of, or in addition to, a level of living things.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[ 0006] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention .

[ 0007 ] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention .

[0008 ] Fig. 3A is a schematic view of a screen according to the present invention.

[ 0009] Fig. 3B is a schematic view of a screen according to the present invention .

[ 0010] Fig. 3C is a schematic view of a screen according to the present invention .

[ 0011 ] Fig. 3D is a schematic view of a screen according to the present invention .

[ 0012 ] Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of a shaker system according to the present invention.

[ 0013] Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a screen according to the present invention.

[0014 ] Fig. 6A is a perspective view of a shaker system according to the present invention.

[ 0015] Fig. 6B is an end view of part of the system of Fig. 18A.

[0016] Fig. ,6C is an end view of a system according to the present invention .

[ 0017 ] Fig. 6D is a perspective view of a material introduction

strucutre for a system according to the present invention.

[ 0018 ] Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a vibratory separator system according to the present invention.

[ 0019] Fig. 7B is a side crosssection view of part of the system of

7A.

[ 0020 ] Fig. 8 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention .

[ 0021 ] Fig. 9 is a schematic view of a system according to the present invention .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[ 0022 ] Fig. 1 shows a system 10 according to the present invention which has vibratory separator apparatus which, in this case includes a shale shaker SK which receives drilling fluid with solids therein pumped from a wellbore (not shown) by a pump system P in a stream A. The shale shaker SK has screen apparatus SA which includes multiple screens SAa, SAb and Sac. As shown, the screens are generally at a similar level; but, optionally, one or more screens may be at different levels, e.g., as. shown by the screen SM shown in dotted line.

[ 0023] Vibratory apparatus V vibrates a structure, housing, or basket BT in which the screens are mounted. Material separated from the stream A (material that does not pass through the screens) flows off the top of the screens in a stream C to a pit or container R. Material flowing through the screens, including drilling fluid, flows down in a stream B to a receptacle or container U.

[ 0024 ] A control system SC controls the operation of the shaker SK (and it can be any suitable known shaker control system, including, but not limited to, known systems for automatic shaker operation) . The control system SC can also control the pump system P. A control system CS controls the system 10 as described in detail below. Optionally, the control system CS also controls a conduit control system CC, described in detail below, and/or the control system SC.

[ 0025] In what follows, killing material may be used at any point, in any location, and in any fluid or stream instead of or in addition to "detectable material" wherever detectable material is mentioned, so long as such is not contradictory of what is described. Also, any detector of detectable material may be replaced with a detector of living things .

[ 0026] Detectable material DM is fed in a stream 12 into the stream A.

Optionally, or instead of the stream 12, detectable material is fed into the shaker SK in a stream 14 that mixes with the material in the stream A in the shaker before the material is fed onto the screens. Optionally, or instead of the stream 12, detectable material is fed in a stream 16 onto the screens. Optionally, a separate stream is fed to each of a plurality of screens; e.g., as shown streams 16a, 16b, and 16c are fed to screens SAa, SAb, and SAc, respectively. Optionally, such a feed stream is fed to screens at different levels in a separator or shaker; and, optionally, a different feed stream can be fed to each screen at each level.

[ 0027 ] A detector 18 detects detectable material in the stream B flowing down from the shaker SK. A detector 11 detects detectable material in the stream C flowing from the tops of the screens. Optionally, or in addition to the detector 18, a detector 17 in (as shown) or on the shaker SK detects detectable material in the fluid flowing down from the screens.

[ 0028 ] In one aspect, the stream B flows down into the tank U and a detector 15 in the tank U detects detectable material therein. The detector 15 may be used instead of or in conjunction with the detector 18 and/or the detector 17.

[ 0029] In one aspect, the stream C flows down into the pit R and a detector 13 in the pit R detects detectable material therein. The detector 13 may be used instead of or in conjunction with the detector 11.

[ 0030] ' Whether or not detectable material from a stream 12 (or a stream

14 or a stream 16) is in the stream B, additional detectable material is, optionally, added to the stream B in a stream AD.

[ 0031 ] Killing material may be substituted for any of the additional detectable material. Added detectable material can be the same as, or different from, the detectable material of the stream 12. Any "detectable material" herein may be one of or a combination of any of the detectable materials described herein.

[ 0032 ] Whether or not detectable material from a stream 12 (or a stream

14 or a stream 16) is in the stream C, additional detectable material is, optionally, added to the stream C in a stream AC. This added detectable material can be the same as, or different from, the detectable material of the stream 12.

[ 0033 ] Whether or not detectable material from a stream 12 (or a stream

14 or a stream 16) is in the stream 19 that conveys material from the tank U, additional detectable material is, optionally, added to the stream 19 in a stream AB. This added detectable material can be the same as, or different from, the detectable material of the stream 12.

[ 0034 ] Added detectable material, e.g., in a stream AB, AC, or AD, can be any detectable material disclosed herein used for any purpose or function disclosed herein and/or killing material, e.g., but not limited to substances, minerals, chemicals, biocides, as solids, in liquid, in solution, may be added to any of the streams. Killing material (as solids, liquid, solution or a combination of these), e.g., but not limited to a biocide or biocides, may be added to any of the streams of any method or system herein.

[ 0035 ] A combination of detectable material according to the present invention may be the same form of detectable material or it may be different forms of the same detectable material (e.g., and not by way of limitation, materials of different colors which are the same base material; materials of different size which are the same base material); or the different detectable materials may be different materials (e.g., and not by way of limitation, different chemically; material of a specific color with another material of a specific electrical conductivity; light reflective material of multi-micron size and carbon nanotubes; or pieces of plastic material combined with pieces of magnetically-attractive material).

[ 0036] It is within the scope of the present invention to treat a stream of the system 10 with killing material before or after a detector detects living things in the stream. The streams B, C, or 19, before or following such detection may be treated by a treatment apparatus Ta, Tb, or Td, respectively, which can provide one or a combination of these functions:

kill living things in a stream, e.g., with heat, electric current, microwaves, radiation, light, infrared, UV, laser beam, and/or killing material;

- add killing material to a stream (killing material includes any suitable substance, mineral, chemical or biocide for killing a living thing)

[ 0037 ] The control system CS is in communication with the detectors 11, 13, 15, 17, and 18; with the control system SC; with the conduit control system CC; with the pump system P; and with the vibratory apparatus V. Via these connections, the control system CS can shut down the system 10 (e.g., upon detection of living things and/or in response to a signal from a detector that indicates screen damage, faulty screen mounting, or inadequate screen sealing) e.g., by stopping the pump system P or by activating the conduit control system CC to stop fluid flow to the system. The conduit control system CC controls all flow lines of the system 10 and includes appropriate and necessary piping, valves, connections, etc. for the various parts and streams of the system.

[ 0038 ] Optionally, upon shut down of flow to the shaker SK, the control system CS has the stream A diverted to additional equipment or apparatus, e.g., to a tank or to a shaker apparatus SL (as shown by the dotted line from the stream a to the shaker SL) . A treatment apparatus Tc can treat the flow stream to the shaker SL.

[0039] The control system CS can provide an alarm when any detector detects living things and/or detectable material. Optionally, such an alarm is provided by a detector itself. With or without shutting down the system and with or without diverting any flow, the control system CS can activate one or all of the treatment apparatuses to treat a stream with which it is associated. In certain particular embodiments, with a separator or shaker with multiple separating elements or screens, the control system CS can shut down flow to a particular screen or screens so that operation can continue, e.g., when detection of living things and/or detectable material indicates a damaged or worn screen, or poor screen mounting or sealing. Optionally, the control system CS can determine, from signals from detectors, that, although the shaker is not operating optimally, it is operating within an acceptable range; but a notification is provided that only a predicted amount of further acceptable operation is possible.

[ 0040 ] A control system CS may be used with any separator or shaker system according to the present invention, including, but not limited to, the systems of Figs. 1 - 9.

[0041 ] Fig. 2 illustrates a method according to the present invention for testing the efficiency of a separator 61 which separates solids X of a particular size from an input stream 62 that includes solids X. A thing or things. 68 is added to the flow 62. The thing (s) are of the same size (e.g., of the same largest dimension) as the solids X so that, if the separator 61 is operating effectively, the thing (s) 68 is/are separated from the flow 62 and is/are discharged with the separated solids X in a stream 64. However, if the separator 61, for whatever reason, allows the thing (s) 68 to pass through and to be discharged in a stream 63, this provides an indication that the separator is not working as desired (the indication provided via monitoring electric current level and/or with ultraviolet light) . An apparatus S detects the presence of the things (s) 68 in the stream 63. Optionally the things 68 are detectable material. Optionally killing material KM is added to the stream 62, the stream 63, or both.

[ 0042 ] The apparatus S can then communicate with a control system 66

(on-site and/or remote) with information about the output stream and, optionally, the control system 66 can activate an alarm 67 and/or can alert and/or inactivate a system 67 which controls the input stream 62 and can alter it or stop it. The separator 61 can be, e.g. and not by way of limitation, any known apparatus, filter, shaker, vibratory separator, screen, centrifuge, cyclone, solids control apparatus, or hydrocyclone and can include any filter media, screening material, filter, mesh, etc.

[ 0043 ] A treatment apparatus as any in Fig. 1 may be used with any stream shown in Fig. 2 (and also with any stream in any embodiment herein) .

[ 0044 ] An apparatus S may also be an apparatus S as disclosed in U.S.

Application Serial No. 13/373,283.

[ 0045] Fig. 3A shows a screen 20 which has a base 22 and a screening member 21. The base 22 may be any known screen base or frame including, but not limited to, any base or frame for any known shale shaker screen. The screening member 21 may be any known screening member or screen, including, but not limited to, any screen, screen layer (s), or mesh for any known shale shaker screen, including, but not limited to, flat screening mesh or layer (s) and non-flat or "3-D" screening layer(s). The screening member 21 may be connected to the base in any known way or manner with any known connector or connective material or adhesive material and/or welding.

[ 0046] Arrows AR indicate the flow of material to the screen 20. Arrows

AS indicate material that does not pass through the screen member 21. Arrows AW indicate a component or components of the material that do pass through the screening member 21. In one particular aspect (and as may be the case for any screen herein) , the material is solids laden drilling fluid and the material that passes through the screening member 21 is drilling fluid with some or substantially all solids removed from it.

[ 0047 ] A piezoelectric apparatus 24 in the base 22 provides electric power to a conductor 26 and, optionally, electric power is supplied to an item 28 (like any electrically-powered item disclosed herein; in one aspect an electromagnet device) .

[ 0048 ] Fig. 3B shows a screen 20b according to the present invention with a base 22b to whose top 20t a screen member 21b is connected with adhesive material 20m. The adhesive material 20m has electrically conductive material EC therein to which electric current is applied by a piezoelectric apparatus 20p. In one particular aspect, the material EC is electrically conductive nanomaterial . In one particular aspect, the material EC is carbon nanotubes. By this application of electric current, in one aspect, the screen member 21b (in whole or in part) is resistively heated by the current from the apparatus 20p flowing through the adhesive material 20m.

[ 0049] In one aspect, the screen member itself is made with electrically conductive material and it too is resistively heated by the current from the apparatus 20p. Optionally there are multiple piezoelectric apparatuses in or on a thing or in or on a base or frame of a screen according to the present invention. For example, the screen 20b may have a second piezoelectric apparatus 20r or three, four, five, or any desired plurality of such apparatuses .

[ 0050 ] Fig. 3C illustrates a screen 20c that has a base or frame 22c on which is a screen member 20v. On top of all or of a portion of the screen member 20v is electrically conductive material 20x to which electric current is applied from a piezoelectric apparatus 24c.

[ 0051 ] Fig. 3D shows a screen 20d with a base 22d and a screen member

21d. A piezoelectric apparatus 24d applies electric current to an

electromagnet apparatus 24e for attracting to the screen member 21d

magnetically attractive material in material fed to the screen 20d so that such magnetically attractive material does not pass through the screen member 21d and is held thereon or therein. It is within the scope of the present invention, as is true for any other embodiment herein, for there to be multiple piezoelectric apparatuses 24d and/or multiple electromagnetic apparatuses 24e. The electromagnetic apparatus or apparatuses may be located in or on a base or frame and/or in or on the screen member.

[ 0052 ] As is true for any embodiment herein, any generating apparatus, electrical current producer, or piezoelectric combination disclosed herein may be controlled by a control system (wired or wirelessly) as may any control system disclosed or referred to herein. Similarly any piezoelectric apparatus or systems in any embodiment of the present invention may be used to produce current to kill living things in material, either by the

application of current to living things, by the heating of living things, or both.

[ 0053] Fig. 4 shows a shaker 370 according to the present invention which has a basket 371 vibrated by vibrating apparatus 377. The^' basket 371 supports three screens 372a, 372b, 372c for treating material 374 introduced onto the screen 372c from a tank 370t on a base 370b.

[0054 ] The shaker 370 and the screens have at least one or a plurality of piezoelectric combinations 376. Optional temperature sensors 373a, 373b, 373c connected to the basket controllably and selectively sense the

temperature of material 374. The material 374 may be any material that is screened or is treated by a shaker, including, but not limited to, drilling fluid with solids therein. A sensor or sensors like the sensor 73a may be used above, near, or in the material being treated at any location in the shaker, e.g., in the material 373. The sensor (s) are in communication with a control system 375 which may be any suitable control system or computer (s).

[0055] The system 375 controls the sensor (s), receives and processes signals from the sensor (s), and controls the piezoelectric combination (s) 376 in or on the shaker and/or in or on a screen or screens used with the shaker. The control system 375, among other things, turns the piezoelectric

combinations 376 on and off; e.g., when a piezoelectric combination 376 includes a conductor which is resistively heated, in order to heat material 374 by heating the screen(s); and/or when a piezoelectric combination 376 includes selectively actuatable electromagnetic apparatus, in order to remove magnetically attractive material from the material 374.

[ 0056] A control system like the system 375 has the components, hardware, media, programming, devices, apparatus, circuits, chip(s), lines, connections, software, and/or electronics to accomplish the stated functions (as is true for any control system for any embodiment herein) . Such a control system and/or such piezoelectric combination ( s ) may be used with any embodiment herein, and, in certain aspects with any shaker and/or any screen herein. The control system 375 may also control the vibratory apparatus 377 and/or the angle of the basket 371; and, in one particular aspect, controls the vibratory apparatus 377 to control the vibration of the piezoelectric apparatuses in each combination to control their current output .

[ 0057 ] Fluid and/or solid material flowing through the screens flows down into a receptacle 370r. Separated material 78 and/or separated

component (s) of the originally-introduced material flows off an exit end of the last screen 72a.

[ 0058] It is within the scope of the present invention to use one or a plurality of piezoelectric combinations or apparatuses at any location on or in a shaker and/or at any location on or in a screen; and, in one aspect, to heat only a partial area of a screen, an initial material input end of a screen, or to heat substantially all of the screening area of a screen and/or screen frame.

[0059] It is within' the scope of the present invention to position or mount a piezoelectric apparatus or apparatuses, or a piezoelectric

combination or combinations on or within any part of a screen or screen assembly for a vibratory separator or shaker, including, but not limited to, in or on a part of a screen frame, in or on a frame end or side, or in or on a frame crossmember. It is within the scope of the present invention to position or mount a piezoelectric apparatus or apparatuses, or a

piezoelectric combination or combinations on or within any part of a mounting structure or basket of a vibratory separator or shaker.

[0060] Any piezoelectric apparatus or combination in any embodiment herein may be wrapped in, painted with, covered with, surrounded by, and/or encased in protective material, insulating material, or both, partially or entirely. Also, any piezoelectric device or apparatus alone which is associated with an electrical conductor may be insulated, with or without insulating the electrical conductor. The insulating material may be

temperature insulating material or electrical insulating material, or both. For example, a piezoelectric combination used with a vibratory separator's screen assembly is surrounded by insulating material; e.g., when a screen body or screen frame is made of electrically conductive metal, the insulating material may be electrically insulating material.

[ 0061 ] Fig. 5 shows a screen 110 according to the present invention which has a body 112 with multiple apertures 113. Each aperture 113 has screening material 118 mounted therein or thereover. The screening material may be a single layer or multiple layers of screening material and/or mesh. Within the body 112 is a grid 116 of electrically conductive material which is connected to piezoelectric generators 114 which provide electric current to the grid 116. Vibration of the body 112 results in electric current produced by the piezoelectric generators 114 being applied to the grid 116, resistively heating the grid 116 and thus heating material on and/or passing through the screen 110. Any one or two of the generators 114 may be deleted or or more than four such generators may be used.

[ 0062 ] It is within the scope of the present invention for the body 112 to be a single integral layer; for it to be any of the multi-layer structures disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,728,422; or any layer, base or frame or part thereof of any known vibratory separator screen or shale shaker screen. In one aspect, the body 112 is made of nonconducting material so that the grid 116 and the piezoelectric generators are encased within and insulated entirely by the body 112. Referring to an embodiment which employs one or more of the layers disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,728,422, a grid like the grid 116 may be present in any layer, in any two layers, in any combination of layers, or in all layers. Also, a single piezoelectric generator 114 may be used for any and all grids; or multiple piezoelectric generators may be used in a single layer or in multiple layers.

[0063] In one particular aspect, the grid 116 is made of electrically conductive ink, fluid, adhesive material (e.g., cement, glue, epoxy) which has electrical conductive material therein. In one particualr aspect, the electrically conductvie material is elecrtrically conductive nanomaterial . In one particular aspect, the electrically conductive nanomaterial is carbon nanomaterial. In one particular embodiment, the electrically conductive nanomaterial is carbon nanotubes.

[ 0064 ] In one aspect the screen 110 is a shale shaker screen and vibration of the shale shaker vibrates the screen 110 which in turn vibrates the piezoelectric generators 114 producing electric current. When this current flows to the grid 116, it is heated and this heat heats the body 112 so that drilling fluid flowing to the screen 110 is heated. Any of the associated items, materials, devices, apparatuses, controllers, and control systems disclosed or referred to herein for use with piezoelectric

apparatuses and combinations may be used with the piezoelectric generators 114, as well as any controller or control system for a shale shaker. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use any piezoelectric system or a plurality thereof with an item such as a vibratory separator, shale shaker, basket, screen support, screen, screens, screen assembly, and/or screen assemblies to apply electric current to one or more of these items during the processing of fluid to kill living things in the fluid; including, but not limited to, killing living things in drilling fluid.

Suitable materials are used for these items so that the applied electricity kills the living things but does not flow from the item, short circuit, or cause a shock, damage or fire. For example, a basket and/or other parts of a shaker are made of nonconducting material; or a screen support is made of nonconducting material. Also screens can be mounted with insulators; and/or barriers and structures can be used which electrically isolate fluid into which a current is being applied.

[ 0065 ] Optionally, the body 112 is made of electrically conductive material and the grid 116 and the piezoelectric generators 114 are insulated within the body 112 so that there is no short circuit with the body 112.

[ 0066 ] The grid 116 may be applied by any suitable known method. In certain aspects, the grid 114 is applied by any suitable known glue application method including, but not limited to, spraying, pouring, and those disclosed in U.S. Patent 6,736,270 and in the references cited in this patent. In other embodiments, the grid 114 is injected into the body 112. With a body 112 that includes hollow members (e.g., but not limited to, a screen frame or base with hollow ends, hollow sides, and/or hollow

crossmembers ) , the material for the grid 114 may be pumped into the hollow member, poured into them, or injected into them. [ 0067 ] It is within the scope of the present invention to provide a shale shaker (or vibratory separator) · in which living things in drilling fluid can be killed in one or in multiple locations in or adjacent the shale shaker. Such a shale shaker may be used with or without screen (s) that also provide electric current to kill living things; and with multiple screens in one shaker, the screens may all be at substantially the same level or the shaker may have one, two, three, four or more levels or tiers of screen (s).

[ 0068 ] It is also within the scope of the present invention for a shaker

(or vibratory separator) to have a tank, hopper, possum belly, or fluid introduction structure from which material to be treated (e.g., but not limited to, drilling fluid with solids therein and/or living things therein) to be made of electrically insulating material and/or for such tank, etc. to have an interior liner or container that is made from electrically insulating material. It is within the scope of the present invention for s shaker (or vibratory separator) to have a basket or other screen support made from electrically insulating material and/or for such a basket or support to have a liner, interior basket, or interior container made of electrically insulating material. One object of such shakers and parts thereof is to provide a space in which or an area in which living things can be killed by electric current without a short circuit of the current and without current flowing from the shaker or from its screen (s). Electric current can be supplied to a shaker (or vibratory separator) and/or to screen (s) in any way disclosed herein and also can be supplied by an independent electric current source in, on, or adjacent to the shaker (or vibratory separator), including, but not limited to, known current sources and also piezoelectric sources.

[ 0069] In certain aspects according to the present invention, a container, receptacle, tank or reservoir not in contact with the shaker (or vibratory separator) receives drilling fluid processed through the screen(s) of a shaker (or vibratory separator) . The container etc. has a source or sources of electric current therein, thereon, or adjacent thereto (any source of current disclosed herein) to subject the living things to an electric current to kill the living things within the container, etc.

[ 0070 ] Figs. 6A - 6C show a shale shaker 130 that has a base 132, material introduction structure 134, and an exit end 131 for separated material. Material 139 with living things therein is fed to the structure

134 and from there onto screen assemblies 136. In one particular aspect, this material is drilling fluid from a drilled wellbore that has solids therein and living things therein. The living things (as is true for any embodiment herein) may include, but are not limited to, microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, fungi, protests, microbes, aerobic living things, anaerobic living things, algae, and/or spores (and such living things may be in any fluid treated by any method or system herein according to the present invention) ; and they may be in any fluid treatable with any system or any method according to the present invention, including, but not limited to, drilling fluid, fracturing fluid, fuels, shipboard fuels, ballast liquid, ballast water, metal cutting fluids, milk, water, blood, liquid mediums, and/or plasma) .

[ 0071 ] Optionally, the material 139 is also processed with additional screen assemblies (not shown) which may be at different levels. The shaker 130 and the screens 136 are vibrated by vibration apparatuses 130v.

[ 0072 ] Material that does not pass through the screen assemblies 136 moves off the screens at the exit end 131 (e.g., but not limited to, drilled solids, debris, and/or cuttings that are too large to pass through any of the screens) . This material may be sent to storage (not shown) or to additional processing equipment APE. Material that passes through the screens (e.g., fluid with living things therein) flows down to a receptacle 135. From the receptacle the material is transmitted (e.g. by gravity flow and/or by pumping) to storage (not shown) or to further processing equipment FPE. As is true for any stream to or from any separator or shaker herein, killing materil KL may be added to the input to the shaker 130 and to either or both of its outputs.

[ 0073] In one aspect, a piezoelectric system 138i or a plurality of the systems 138i are provided within or on the introduction structure 134. When the shaker 130 is vibrated by the vibratory apparatuses 130v, and the introduction structure is vibrated directly or indirectly the system(s) 138i produce electric current that kills living things in the material in the structure 134 (this includes material flowing through the structure 134) .

[ 0074 ] In one aspect, a piezoelectric system 138s or a plurality of the systems 138s are provided within, under and/or on the screens 136a-136c. When the shaker 130 is vibrated by the vibratory apparatuses 130v, the system(s) 138s produce electric current that kills living things in the material on or in the screens (this includes material flowing through the screens) .

[ 0075 ] In one aspect, a piezoelectric system 138e or a plurality of the systems 138e are provided within or on the exit end 131. When the shaker 130 is vibrated by the vibratory apparatuses 130v, the system(s) 138e produce electric current that kills living things in the material on the exit end 131 (this includes material flowing on the exit end) .

[ 0076] In one aspect, a piezoelectric system 138r or a plurality of the systems 138r are provided within or on the receptacle 135. When the shaker 130 is vibrated by the vibratory apparatuses 130v, the system (s) 138r produce electric current that kills living things in the receptacle 135 (this includes material flowing through the receptacle) .

[ 0077 ] In one aspect, a piezoelectric system 138w or a plurality of the systems 138w are provided within or on walls of the base 132 (which, in one aspect, may be walls of a basket mounted in or on the base) . When the shaker 130 is vibrated by the vibratory apparatuses 130v, the system(s) 138r produce electric current that kills living things in the receptacle 135 (this includes material flowing through the receptacle) . In certain particular aspects, there is only one vibratory apparatus 130v.

[0078] In one aspect, as shown in Fig. 8C, in a shaker 130a (like the shaker 130) a receptacle 135a (like the receptacle 135, Fig. 6Ά) is not in contact with the base 132 and is vibrated by apparatus 139v; or, if there is contact, it is via structure 139s made of material that does not conduct electricity. Optionally, as shown in Fig. 18C, a base or basket of a shaker may have a liner or container 132b therein that is made of material that does not conduct electricity and the liner or container 132b may have a piezoelectric system 1381 or piezoelectric systems 1381 which produce electric current when vibrated to kill living things in the liner or container 132b.

[ 0079] As shown in Fig. 6D, the introduction structure 134 may have an internal container 134t, liner or lining which contains material fed into the introduction structure. The container 134t is made of material that does not conduct electricity and it may have one or more piezoelectric systems therein like any disclosed herein.

[ 0080] It is within the scope of the present invention for the additional processing equipment APE and/or the further processing equipment FPE to include any structure or system herein for adding killing material to a fluid or stream and/or for applying electric current to living things in such equipment. Optionally, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a source of electric current ES, with appropriate connections, electrodes, wires, insulators, and/or insulating material to supply electric current to a shaker (or vibratory separator) and/or to screen (s) used therewith from a conventional current source ES (and this is true for any structure or system according to the present invention.

[0081 ] A control system CN (like any control system or apparatus disclosed or referred to herein; including control apparatuses and/or devices for controlling piezoelectric systems and/or for controlling a shale shaker and any motor, motors, or drive system used with shakers; which may be any suitable known control system for a shale shaker or vibratory separator) , or multiple control systems, controls each item and piece of equipment of a system.

[ 0082 ] It is within the scope of the present invention for the features of any shale shaker or vibratory separator described above to be used with a shaker or separator that has a screen or screens at different levels or tiers, one above the other, or a part of one above all or above part of another. Any feature or aspect described above for heating material, heating a screen, heating a basket or any part of a shaker or separator, killing living things at any point or area of a shaker or separator, or killing living things in an initial feed stream or in an output stream can, according to the present invention, be used with a shaker or separator that has a screen or screens at different levels or tiers.

[0083] Figs. 7A and 7B show a multi-level or multi-tier vibratory separator 210 according to the present invention which has four screening levels with screen supports 211, 212, 213, and 214 with a screen or screens 215 with screening material (shown schematically by lines labeled 215; any known shaker screen or screen and/or vibratory separator screen or screens may be used depending on the material to be processed) . At any single level, any two levels, any three levels, or at all levels, the systems of the present invention described above may be used, e.g., to kill living things and/or to monitor operation. In one aspect, the material processed by the separator 210 is drilling fluid with solids and/or living things therein.

[ 0084 ] Shown schematically, basket interior systems 218a (one or any desired number of them may be used) represent any apparatus, device or system disclosed herein for applying an electric current to material within a basket 210b (e.g., to kill living things in the material and/or to heat the material) . Shown schematically, basket exterior systems 218b (of which at least part is outside the basket; one or any desired number of them may be used) represent any apparatus, device or system disclosed herein for applying an electric current to material within the basket 210b (e.g., to kill living things in the material and/or to heat the material) .

[ 0085] Material which has flowed through or past all the screens flows into a receptacle 216. Shown schematically, receptacle interior systems 218d

(one . or any desired number of them may be used) represent any apparatus, device or system disclosed herein for applying an electric current to material within the receptacle 216 (e.g., to kill living things in the material and/or to heat the material) .

[ 0086] Shown schematically, basket exterior systems 218c (of which at least part is outside the basket; one or any desired number of them may be used) represent any apparatus, device or system disclosed herein for applying an electric current to material within the receptacle 216 (e.g., to kill living things in the material and/or to heat the material) .

[ 0087 ] Any screen or screen support of the separator 210 may have any or some of the systems described above for heating material on or adjacent the screen(s) and/or for killing living things in material (e.g., fluid) being processed with the screen (s). For example, shown schematically, screen systems 218e (one or any desired number of them may be used on one, some, or on all screens) represent any apparatus, device or system disclosed herein for applying an electric current to material being processed by the screen (s) (e.g., to kill living things in the material and/or to heat the material).

[ 0088] An input stream 217 of material to be treated flowing in a conduit 217a can be treated with an exterior system 218f, an exterior system 218g, and/or interior systems 218h (systems 218f and 218g have at least a portion thereof outside the conduit 217) (systems shown schematically) to heat and/or kill living things in the stream 217 and these systems can be any disclosed herein for these purposes.

[ 0089] An output stream 219 of material to be treated flowing in a conduit 219a can be treated with an exterior system 218k, an exterior system 218j, and/or interior system 218i (systems 218k and 218j have at least a portion thereof outside the conduit 219) (systems shown schematically) to heat and/or kill living things in the stream 219 and these systems can be any disclosed herein for these purposes.

[ 0090 ] Similarly, flow, directors 211a, 212a, and/or 213a may have any system disclosed herein to heat material and/or to kill living things in material flowing on them.

[ 0091 ] The basket 215 of the separator 210 is on a skid 210s and has a control system 210c. In one particular aspect, the present invention provides improvements as described above to the subject matter of U.S. Patent 7,703,612 which is incorporated fully herein for all purposes. Any suitable structure may be used to effect the use of multiple screens in series or in parallel .

[0092 ] Fig. 8 discloses a shaker system 160 according to the present invention (e.g. as shown in U.S. Patent 5,190,645 incorporated fully herein for all purposes, but with improvements according to the present invention) . The system 160 has a shale shaker K having a screen or screens S according to the present invention (any suitable screen or any screen disclosed herein) . The screen (s) S are mounted in a shaker basket BK and one or more vibrators V (any known suitable shaker vibrator) vibrate the basket B and hence the screen(s) S.

[ 0093] The other components of the system 160 may be any such suitable components as named, and are, e.g, as described in U.S. Patent 5,190,645. "Separator" according to the present invention includes, inter alia, shakers, degassers, desilters, and desanders, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,190, 645 and in references cited in this patent.

[ 0094 ] Optionally, killing material KA (any referred to herein) is fed into one, two, or all of: a stream ST which is an input stream of drilling fluid with solids therein; a stream of treated drilling fluid SR which is reusable; and/or a stream SA of separated component (s) of the input stream ST.

[ 0095] Fig. 9 shows schematically a system 350 according to the present invention for killing living things in fluid and material flowing to and from a vibratory separator or shale shaker. A separator or shaker SH has screens SN (one screen may be used; multiple screens may be tiered) mounted in a basket BK which is vibrated by vibratory apparatus VA. A stream A is fed to the separator or shaker SH. The stream A can be any stream fed for treatment to a separator or shaker. The screens SN screen out at least one component of the stream A (e.g., but not limited to solids in drilling fluid).

[ 0096] The screened-out component or components flows off the tops of the screens SN in a stream B. The portion of the stream A that is not screened out flows in a stream C down and away from the screen SN.

[ 0097 ] Living things in each stream are killed by a killing treatment apparatus TR. Any two apparatuses TR, or any single apparatus TR may be deleted. Optionally, a sensor SR senses the presence of living things to be killed in a stream. A control system CTS is in communication with all the sensors and with the killing treatment apparatus (es ) TR, and with the vibratory apparatus VA (and with any other apparatus that controls flow to and from the separator or shaker and/or controls screen angle or basket angle) .

[ 0098] Any one or two killing treatment apparatuses TR may be deleted. Any treatment apparatus may be used only when a sensor senses living things in a stream. Optionally, any screen SN may be a "killer screen" as disclosed in U.S. Application Serial No. 13/374 243 filed 12/16/2011 (fully incorporated herein for all purposes) . Optionally the separator or shaker SH may be separator or shaker as disclosed in U.S. Application Serial No. 13/374 243 filed 12/16/2011.

[ 0099] Either continuously, periodically, or only when living things are sensed, the killing treatment apparatuses TR are activated to kill living things in their associated stream. Such killing can be by feeding killing material into the stream and/or by applying killing energy to the living things in the stream. The killing material may be any such material that kills the living things desired to be killed, e.g., but not limited to, known biocides, in solid and/or liguid form, including, but not limited to acids, alkaline material, and any known biocide (and any such material disclosed in U.S. Application Serial No. 13/374,243).

[ 0100] The killing energy may be any suitable energy or radiation in any form to kill the living things desired to be killed, e.g., but not limited to, heat, electrical current, radiation, microwaves, radio waves, light, laser beam, ultraviolet light, infrared light, and vibratory energy (and any such energy disclosed in U.S. Application Serial No. 13/374,243).

[ 0101 ] The control system CTS can control the input and rate of feed of killing material or energy; shut down the separator or shaker SH, e.g., but not limited to, in the event of an overload of living things; provide alerts and/or alarms regarding events occurring in treatment of material and/or the presence of living things in any and all streams; record the events and the composition of each stream and provide a record of events and stream composition; provide a real-time analysis of each stream; and/or monitor screen performance and condition, in one aspect in real time.

[ 0102 ] Optionally, killing material KT (any such material referred to herein) is fed into one, two, or all of: the stream A; the stream B; and/or the stream C of separated component (s) of the input stream A.

[ 0103 ] Any patent or application referred to herein is incorporated fully herein for all purposes .

Claims

What is claimed is:

CLAIMS :

1. A method for treating a stream associated with a separator, the separator for separating at least one component from a stream flowing to the separator, the method comprising

applying a killer to a stream flowing to or from the separator, and

the killer killing living things in the.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the separator is one of

filter, shaker, vibratory separator, screen, centrifuge, cyclone, solids control apparatus, desilter, desander, degasser, hydrocyclone .

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the living things are one of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, fungi, protests, microbes, aerobic living things, anaerobic living things, algae, and/or spores.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the killer comprises a treatment apparatus for treating the stream to kill the living things.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein for killing living things the treatment apparatus provides heat, current, light, microwaves, signals, laser beam, radiation, infrared or UV.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the killer comprises killing material to kill the living things.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the killing material is one of.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the stream is one of an input stream to the separator and an output stream of the separator.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the separator is a vibratory separator.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the vibratory separator is a shale shaker for processing an input stream of drilling fluid with solids therein, the shale shaker having screening apparatus for screening out solids from the drilling fluid with solids therein, the method further comprising screening out solids from the input stream, producing a first output stream.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the shale shaker produces a second output stream of separated material, the method further comprising

applying the killer to at least one of the input stream, the dirst output stream, and the second output stream.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the separator and operative components of the separator are in communication with and controlled by a control apparatus, the method further comprising

with the . control apparatus controlling the separator and the operative components.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein sensor apparatus in communication with the control apparatus senses living things in the separator or in a stream associated with the separator, the method further comprising

in response to sensed living things, applying the killer to kill the living things .

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising

determining at a first time a first level of living things in an input stream to the separator ("baseline data"),

storing data indicative of said level in appropriate storage media,

obtaining second data related to a second level of living things, the second level determined at a second time after the first time, the second time at a time during operation of the separator,

comparing the second data to the baseline data and analysing any difference,

in response to the second level being greater than the first level, applying the killer to the input stream.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising performing at least one of the following

providing a warning of the level of the second level,

shutting down the separator,

changing an operating parameter of the separator.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the killer is a specific killer for killing specific living things, the method further comprising

sensing the presence of specific living things in a stream associated with the separator, and using the specific killer to kill the specific living things. 18. The method of claim 17 wherein presence of specific living things is sensed by sensing a product of an action of the specific living things, the method further comprising

sensing the presence of a product of an action of the specific living things,

19. A separator for processing fluid with components, the separator comprising

separation apparatus for separating at least one component of a fluid introduced to the separator in an input stream, separation producing a first stream with the at least one separated component and a second stream without said separated component, and

a killer for killing living things in all of or in at least one of the input fluid, the first stream, and the second stream.

20. The separator of claim 19 wherein the separator is a shale shaker.

21. Any method according to the present invention for killing living things in, flowing to, or flowing from a separator.

23. Any shale shaker disclosed herein according to the present invention.

24. Any separator disclosed herein according to the present invention.

25. Any screen for a separator or shale shaker disclosed herein according to the present invention.

26. Any system with a separator disclosed herein according to the present invention.