Method and Device for Cleaning Drill Cuttings

Abstract

A method and a device are for cleaning drill cuttings comprising cuttings and oil-based drilling mud, wherein a significant proportion of the drilling mud is removed from the drill cuttings. The method comprises: disposing the drill cuttings in a receptacle; vibrating the receptacle until particle fluidization of the drill cuttings takes place; maintaining the drill cuttings in a particle-fluidized state during the subsequent treatment; adding a soap to the drill cuttings allowing, the soap to flow through the drill cuttings whilst the drill cuttings are particle-fluidized; draining liquid from the receptacle; and then emptying cleaned drill cuttings out of the receptacle.

1 . A method for cleaning drill cuttings comprising cuttings and oil-based drilling mud, wherein a significant proportion of the drilling mud is removed from the drill cuttings, wherein the method comprises:
 disposing the drill cuttings in a receptacle;   vibrating the receptacle until particle fluidization of the drill cuttings takes place;   maintaining the drill cuttings in a particle-fluidized state during the subsequent treatment;   adding a soap to the drill cuttings via outlet openings in a distribution pipe located within the drill cuttings in the receptacle;   allowing the soap to flow upwards through the drill cuttings, which is due to a higher density of the drill cuttings relative to that of the soap, whilst the drill cuttings are particle-fluidized;   draining liquid from an upper portion of the receptacle; and   then emptying cleaned drill cuttings out of a lower portion of the receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises locating the distribution pipe in the lower portion of the receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises allowing the drill cuttings to compact in the receptacle before emptying. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises separating the soap from the drained liquid for re-use. 
     
     
         5 . A device for a receptacle for treatment of drill cuttings comprising cuttings and oil-based drilling mud;
 wherein the receptacle is connected to a frame structure;   wherein the receptacle is restrictedly movable relative to the frame structure;   wherein the receptacle is provided with at least one vibrator dimensioned in a manner allowing it to vibrate the drill cuttings into a particle-fluidized state when disposed in the receptacle;   wherein the receptacle is provided with a supply of drill cuttings, and also an outlet opening for treated drill cuttings disposed at a lower portion of the receptacle; wherein the receptacle is provided with a soap supply ( 8 ) comprising a distribution pipe having several outlet openings;   wherein the distribution pipe is located within the receptacle for distribution of soap within the drill cuttings, thereby allowing the soap to flow upwards through the drill cuttings, which is due to a higher density of the drill cuttings relative to that of the soap, whilst the drill cuttings are particle-fluidized; and   wherein the receptacle is provided with an outlet located at an upper portion of the receptacle for draining liquid from the receptacle.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is provided With a supply opening for drill cuttings, wherein the supply opening is located at the upper portion of the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the distribution pipe is located in the lower portion of the receptacle. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 5 , wherein the receptacle is connected to the frame structure means of an elastic element.