Control system for mud cleaning apparatus
US8469116B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2010 |
| Grant date | Jun 25, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B21/063
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
Techniques for controlling drilling fluid cleaning apparatus that reclaim lost circulation material from spent drilling fluid are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a tank, a density separation device, and a fluid density control system. The tank holds spent drilling fluid containing drilling fluid, lost circulation material, coarse solids and fine solids. The density separation device is coupled to an outlet of the tank. The density separation device provides an overflow stream and an underflow stream. The overflow stream contains less dense material than the underflow stream. The fluid density control system is configured to adjust the density of the spent drilling fluid provided to the density separation device by recirculating a portion of the underflow stream into the tank.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.