Drilling fluid flow facilitation

Abstract

A system for facilitating flow of settled solids with drilling fluid from a container, the system including pressure nozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, powered rotation apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is movable within the container as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle into the container; and, in one aspect, translation apparatus for moving the pressure nozzle apparatus with respect to the container as fluid under pressure is pumped to the at least one rotating nozzle.

1 . A system for facilitating flow of drilling fluid from a container of drilling fluid, the drilling fluid containing solids, the system comprising
 pressure nozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure,   powered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluid containing solids in the container as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle into the container.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising supply apparatus for supplying fluid under pressure to the pressure nozzle apparatus. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the container is from the group consisting of mud tank and mud pit. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising
 control apparatus for selectively controlling the powered rotation apparatus.   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising
 control apparatus for selectively controlling the powered rotation apparatus, and   the control apparatus for selectively controlling the powered translation apparatus.   
   
   
       7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7   supply apparatus for supplying fluid under pressure to the pressure nozzle apparatus, and   wherein the control system is for receiving signals from the computer system for controlling the supply apparatus in response to said signals so that masses of solids in the drilling fluid are dispersed.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising
 the pressure nozzle apparatus for moving settled solids from a floor of a container,   pump apparatus for evacuating from the container settled solids moved by the pressure nozzle apparatus, the settled solids evacuatable with drilling fluid,   shaker apparatus for receiving and processing the settled solids and drilling fluid pumped by the pump apparatus from the container,   the pump apparatus for pumping the settled solids and drilling fluid to the shaker apparatus, and   the shaker apparatus for producing a flow of reusable drilling fluid and disposable separated-out solids.   
   
   
       10 . A method for facilitating flow of drilling fluid from a container, the method comprising
 feeding drilling fluid material into a container having a system for facilitating flow of drilling fluid, the system comprising pressure nozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure, and powered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is rotatable within the drilling fluid containing solids in the container as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle into the container, the method further comprising   dispersing masses of solids within the drilling fluid material by pumping fluid under pressure through the at least one nozzle and rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus with the powered rotation apparatus.   
   
   
       11 - 15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . A method for recovering usable drilling fluid from solid masses adjacent a floor of a container, the method comprising
 moving solid masses adjacent a floor of a container with a moving system, the moving system comprising pressure nozzle apparatus with at least one nozzle from which is flowable fluid under pressure to move the solid masses, and powered rotation apparatus connected to the pressure nozzle apparatus for selectively rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus so that the at least one nozzle is rotatable within the container to enhance movement of the solid masses as fluid is pumped through the at least one nozzle, the method further comprising   rotating the pressure nozzle apparatus with the powered rotation apparatus, and   evacuating from the container with pump apparatus drilling fluid and solid masses moved by the moving system.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising
 feeding the drilling fluid and solid masses evacuated from the container to shaker apparatus for receiving and processing the drilling fluid and solid masses, and   producing with the shaker apparatus a flow of reusable drilling fluid and disposable separated-out solids.