Sand screw dryer
US8349193B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B21/065
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An apparatus and process for separating drilling fluid from drill cuttings are disclosed. The separations are performed in a drying auger unit, including: an inclined housing having side walls joined by a bottom and having an inlet end and an outlet end; at least one inlet for feeding a cuttings slurry to the inlet end; a helical auger located in the housing for transporting drill cuttings from the inlet end of the housing to the outlet end of the housing, and a drive for rotating the auger, an elevated pan disposed in and extending the length of the housing and having an arcuate cross section with a radius greater than a radius of the helical auger, wherein the pan is disposed proximate at least a lower quadrant of the helical auger; the housing further comprising a liquid recovery zone adjacent to the pan for transporting drilling fluids, separated from the drill cuttings during transport along the pan by the helical auger, to a liquid collection zone disposed adjacent to the inlet; an outlet for recovering drilling fluids from the liquid collection zone; and at least one fluid inlet nozzle for injecting a fluid into the liquid recovery zone to facilitate transport of any solids …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.