Continuous self-cleaning drilling fluid tank

Abstract

A continuous self-cleaning drilling fluid tank includes a liquid impervious receptacle having a bottom and a peripheral sidewall. Unprocessed drilling fluid requiring reconditioning are diverted into the receptacle. A processed drilling fluid outlet is provided, whereby reconditioned drilling fluid passes from the receptacle. A plurality of scraper blades are provided which are carried by a continuous loop conveyor positioned immediately adjacent to the bottom. A sludge outlet is provided, whereby sludge passes from the receptacle. The continuous loop conveyor is driven to cause the scraper blades to scrape sludge resting on the bottom toward the sludge outlet.

1 . A continuous self-cleaning drilling fluid tank, comprising: 
 a liquid impervious receptacle having a bottom and a peripheral sidewall;    means for diverting unprocessed drilling fluid requiring reconditioning into the receptacle;    a processed drilling fluid outlet, whereby reconditioned drilling fluid passes from the receptacle;    a plurality of scraper blades carried by a continuous loop conveyor positioned immediately adjacent to the bottom;    a sludge outlet, whereby sludge passes from the receptacle; and    means for driving the continuous loop conveyor to cause the scraper blades to scrape sludge resting on the bottom toward the sludge outlet.    
   
   
       2 . The drilling fluid tank as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the means for diverting unprocessed drilling fluid requiring reconditioning into the receptacle is a spray manifold which is adapted to spray unprocessed drilling fluid onto a surface of drilling fluid in the receptacle.  
   
   
       3 . The drilling fluid tank as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a paddle system is provided which is adapted to direct sludge out of the receptacle through the sludge outlet.  
   
   
       4 . The drilling fluid tank as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the drilling fluid outlet extends through the peripheral sidewall adjacent to the bottom, the drilling fluid outlet having an upwardly extending feed pipe, such that drilling fluid spills into the feed pipe and flows by force of gravity through the drilling fluid outlet.  
   
   
       5 . A continuous self-cleaning drilling fluid tank, comprising: 
 a liquid impervious receptacle having a bottom and a peripheral sidewall;    a spray manifold which is adapted to spray unprocessed drilling fluid requiring conditioning onto a surface of drilling fluid in the receptacle;    a processed drilling fluid outlet extending through the peripheral sidewall adjacent to the bottom, whereby reconditioned drilling fluid passes from the receptacle, the drilling fluid outlet having an upwardly extending feed pipe, such that drilling fluid spills into the feed pipe and flows by force of gravity through the drilling fluid outlet;    a plurality of scraper blades carried by a continuous loop conveyor positioned immediately adjacent to the bottom;    a sludge outlet, whereby sludge passes from the receptacle; and    a drive motor for driving the continuous loop conveyor to cause the scraper blades to scrape sludge resting on the bottom toward the sludge outlet; and    a paddle system adapted to direct sludge out of the receptacle through the sludge outlet.    
   
   
       6 . The drilling fluid tank as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the feed pipe for the drilling fluid outlet is pivotally mounted to permit angular adjustment.  
   
   
       7 . The drilling fluid tank as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the continuous loop conveyor includes a pair of continuous loop chains supported by transverse rollers with parallel spaced scraper blades extending transversely between the continuous loop chains.  
   
   
       8 . The drilling fluid tank as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the spray manifold is a slotted pipe.