Method and apparatus for the recovery of drilling fluid from shaker tailings during active drilling
US10704345B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 17, 2016 |
| Grant date | Jul 7, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B21/01
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.