Systems and methods for the storage and disposal of waste cement

Abstract

A collapsible bladder system for the storage and disposal or re-use of cement returns from oil and gas wells is described. The collapsible bladder system includes a flexible storage bag having an input valve, an output valve and a vent that can be easily set up and transported by a single person. Cement returns are pumped into the flexible storage bag and allowed to harden into a cement block. The cement block covered with the storage bag can be hauled away for disposal or re-used for a secondary purpose, such as a barricade.

1 . A collapsible bladder for the collection and storage of cement comprising:
 a bag body having top and bottom surfaces and front and back ends;   a vent located on the top surface of the bag body for the release or equalization of air pressure within the bag;   a first port located on the front end of the bag body for filling the bag body with cement, the first port having a first port valve operable between an open position and a closed position; and   a second port located on the back end of the bag body for expelling overflow cement from the bag body, the second port having a second port valve operable between an open position and a closed position.   
     
     
         2 . A collapsible bladder as in  claim 1  wherein the bag body includes a bag portion and a cover portion operably connected to one another by a zipper. 
     
     
         3 . A collapsible bladder as in  claim 2  wherein the cover portion includes at least one access port for embedding a handle within the cement prior to curing. 
     
     
         4 . A collapsible bladder as in  claim 1  further comprising at least one external form for imparting a surface texture or feature to at least one surface of the cement block. 
     
     
         5 . A collapsible bladder as in  claim 4  wherein the external form includes a wave profile for imparting a wave profile on at least one surface of the cement block. 
     
     
         6 . A system for collecting and storing cement returns at a well site comprising:
 a plurality of collapsible bladders, each collapsible bladder including:
 a bag body having top and bottom surfaces and front and back ends; 
 a vent located on the top surface of the bag body for the release or equalization of air pressure within the bag body; 
 a first port located on the front end of the bag body for filling the bag body with cement returns, the first port having a first port valve operable between an open position and a closed position; and 
 a second port located on the back end of the bag body for expelling overflow cement returns from the bag body, the second port having a second port valve operable between an open position and a closed position; 
   wherein the plurality of collapsible bladders are positioned in a series and the second port and first port of adjacent collapsible bladders are connected by a hose to a llow overflow cement returns to flow between adjacent collapsible bladders.   
     
     
         7 . A method for storing and disposing of cement returns comprising the steps:
 a) pumping cement returns into a bladder; and   b) allowing the cement returns to harden inside the bladder to create a covered cement block.   
     
     
         8 . The method as in  claim 7  wherein the bladder includes a zipper allowing the cement block to be removed from the bladder and the method further comprises the step of c) removing the bladder from the cement block. 
     
     
         9 . The method as in  claim 7  wherein prior to step a) the bladder is fixed to at least one external form thereby enabling a covered cement block from step b) to have a surface texture or feature corresponding to the external form.