DEWATERING SYSTEM

• US 20100116753A1
• Filed: 11/12/2009
• Published: 05/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: M-I LLC (SLB)
• Original Assignee: M-I LLC (SLB)
• Inventors: Pruett, John O., Fout, Gary E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,506,821 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/710
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/0018 provided with a pump mounted in or on a settling tank
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/0084 Enhancing liquid-particle separation using the flotation principle flotation in general B03D1/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/01 using flocculating agents for purifying water C02F1/52; for liquid radioactive waste G21F9/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/2405 Feed mechanisms for settling tanks
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 21/267 by using a cyclone
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2221/04 Separation devices for treating liquids from earth drilling, mining
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 11/127 by centrifugation
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 21/065 Separating solids from drilling fluids

Abstract

A system for processing drilling mud, the system including a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line, and an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line. The system also includes a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank, and a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.

Claims

1. A system for processing drilling mud, the system comprising:

a primary separation tank having an inlet for receiving drilling waste and an outlet in fluid communication with a feed line;

an injection pump in fluid communication with a polymer tank and the feed line;

a clarifying tank in fluid communication with the feed line and a first collection tank, wherein effluent from the clarifying tank is discharged into the first collection tank; and

a centrifuge in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and a second collection tank, wherein effluent from the centrifuge is discharged into the second collection tank.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the primary separation tank comprises a sand trap.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a primary separation device in fluid communication with the primary separation tank.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the primary separation device comprises a vibratory separator.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a centrifuge pump in fluid communication with the clarifying tank and configured to provide fine particulates from the clarifying tank to the centrifuge.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the polymer tank comprises a dual tank.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first collection tank comprises a back flow line in fluid communication with the primary separation tank.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the clarifying tank comprises a polymer injection pump.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the injection pump comprises a polyductor configured to mix a polymer into the drilling waste.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second collection tank is in fluid communication with an active drilling mud system.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising an automation system.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is a closed-loop system.

13. A method of processing drilling waste, the method comprising:

providing a flow of drilling waste from a primary separation device to a primary separation tank;

removing coarse particulates from the drilling waste in the primary separation tank;

injecting a polymer into drilling mud removed from the primary separation tank;

transferring drilling mud to a clarifying tank;

removing fine particulates from the clarifying tank;

transferring an effluent from the clarifying tank to a collection tank;

transferring the fine particulates from the clarifying tank to a centrifuge;

removing additional fine particulates from the effluent with the centrifuge; and

transferring a second effluent from the centrifuge to a second collection tank.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the primary separation device comprises a vibratory separator.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the primary separation tank comprises a sand trap.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising injecting an acid into the drilling mud.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the removing the fine particulates from the clarifying tank comprises:

exposing the drilling mud to a venturi zone; and

settling the fine particulates from the drilling mud.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

injecting additional polymer into the drilling mud in the clarifying tank.

19. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

using a portion of the first or second effluent to dilute the drilling mud.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

recycling at least a portion of the first or second effluent.