Centrifugal Pump With Screw Pump Accelerator and Reverse Flow Vane

Abstract

Apparatus and method for centrifugal pump with screw pump accelerator and reverse vane impeller adapted for use in sample collection from drilling fluid containing drill cuttings.

1 . An apparatus for pumping drilling fluid containing drill cuttings comprising:
 a. a reverse vane pump;   b. a screw pump;   c. a centrifugal pump; and   d. a drive shaft common with the reverse vane pump, the screw pump, and the centrifugal pump, the drive shaft adapted to be rotatably driven by a motor.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the screw pump comprising a helical auger. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the reverse vane pump comprising a blade impeller, the blade impeller having a plurality of radial blades. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , the blades mounted at an angle forming a pitch. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the pitch between about 15° and about 75°. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the pitch between about 30° and about 60°. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the pitch substantially 45°. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the centrifugal pump comprising a horizontal centrifugal impeller. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , the horizontal centrifugal impeller comprising a substantially planar wing mounted to a radial arm. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , the radial arm comprising a twisted wing mounted at an arm angle. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , the arm angle between about 15° and about 75°. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , the arm angle between about 30° and about 60°. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , the arm angle substantially 45°. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a common housing, housing the reverse vane pump, the screw pump, and the centrifugal pump, the common housing having an upper portion proximate the centrifugal pump and a lower portion proximate the reverse vane pump. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the upper portion comprising a window, the window adapted to allow air into the common housing. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the lower portion comprising a screen or guard, adapted to restrict the flow of larger objects into the apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , the lower portion comprising a screw pump inlet, the screw pump inlet having an opening through the lower portion of the common housing and extending along at least a portion of the screw pump. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an adjustable lift assembly for regulating the depth of submersion of the apparatus into the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the motor comprising an electric motor. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the motor comprising a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic power pack. 
   
   
       21 . A method for pumping drilling fluid containing drill cuttings comprising providing air into the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings for decreasing the density of the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising agitating the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings for mixing the air and the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising injecting pressurized air into the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings.