Apparatus for separating solids from liquids

Abstract

In a drilling operation, where used drilling fluid is screened into a substantially solid portion and a substantially liquid drilling fluid and the drilling fluid is thereafter stored in a storage tank. A method and apparatus for of separating solids from liquids. The apparatus comprises a recirculation tank having a second liquid for receiving the solid portion, and a first rotational particle separator for separating the solid portion from the second liquid. The apparatus further includes a pump for pumping the solid portion and the second liquid from the recirculation tank to the first rotational particle separator and a bin region to receive and retain the separated solids from the first rotational particle separator, wherein the separated second liquid is returned to the recirculation tank.

1 . An apparatus for separating solids from liquids in a drilling operation wherein used drilling fluid is screened into a substantially solid portion and a substantially liquid drilling fluid, the drilling fluid being stored in a storage tank, the apparatus comprising:
 a recirculation tank having a second liquid for receiving said solid portion;   a first rotational particle separator for separating said solid portion from said second liquid;   a pump for pumping said solid portion and said second liquid from said recirculation tank to said first rotational particle separator; and   a bin region to receive and retain said separated solids from said first rotational particle separator,   wherein said separated second liquid is returned to said recirculation tank.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rotational particle separator comprises a centrifuge. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said rotational particle separator comprises a cyclonic separator. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said apparatus is mounted on a field transportable skid. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein said skid includes a raised platform for mounting said rotational particle separator. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second rotational particle separator for removing particles from the drilling fluid supplied from the storage tank, said particles being deposited in said bin region wherein said drilling fluid is returned to the storage tank. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said recirculation tank includes an angled bottom having a high end and a low end relative to each other. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said pump draws said solid portion and said second liquid proximate to said low end. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said recirculation tank includes a closable top 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein when said drilling fluid is a water based drilling fluid, said top may be closed such that said solid portion slide across said top to be deposited into said bin and when said drilling fluid is an oil based drilling fluid, said top may be opened such that said solid portion is deposited in said recirculation tank. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said second liquid is drilling fluid. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising at least one tank for supplying a particle separation assisting agent to the input of said second rotational particle separator when said drilling fluid is a water based drilling fluid. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said particle separation assisting agent is a calcium water solution. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said calcium water solution is stored in a stripping tank. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14  wherein said apparatus includes two stripping tanks. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said particle separation assisting agent is a polymer flocculating agent. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16  wherein said flocculating agent is stored in at least one polymer tank. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein said apparatus includes two polymer tanks. 
   
   
       19 . A method for separating solids from liquids in a drilling operation wherein used drilling fluid is screened into a substantially solid portion and a substantially liquid drilling fluid, the drilling fluid being stored in a storage tank, the method comprising:
 depositing said solid portion in a recirculation tank having a second liquid;   drawing off said solid portion and said second liquid from said recirculation tank for delivery to a first rotational particle separator;   separating said solid portion from said second liquid in a first rotational particle separator; and   collecting said separated solids in a bin region and deposing said second liquid back in said recirculation tank.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising removing solid particles from a portion of screened drilling fluid in a second rotational particle separator and returning the liquid portion to a collection tank, wherein said solids are deposited in said bin region.