Return drilling fluid processing

Abstract

A system for processing returned drilling fluid including a flow line configured to provide a return flow of drilling fluids and at least one vibratory separator having at least one screen, wherein the vibratory separator is fluidly connected to the flow low and is configured to receive at least a partial flow of fluids and separate the flow of fluids into a primarily fluid phase and a primarily solids phase. The system further includes a dual-trough configured to receive the primarily solid phase from the at least one vibratory separator and a slurry tank configured to receive the solids phase from the trough. Additionally, a method of processing a return drilling fluid including dividing the return drilling fluid into a primarily fluids phase and a primarily solids phase with a primary separatory operation. Furthermore, directing the primarily solids phase to a dual-trough having a first trough configured to receive a relatively large solids phase, and a second trough configured to receive a relatively fine solids phase. The method also including transmitting the relatively fine solids phase to a slurry tanks and processing the relatively fine solids phase in a secondary separatory operation.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising:
 dividing a return drilling fluid into a primarily fluids phase and a primarily solids phase with a primary separatory operation;   directing the primarily solids phase to a dual-trough comprising:
 a first trough configured to receive a relatively large solids phase; and 
 a second trough configured to receive a relatively fine solids phase; 
   transmitting the relatively fine solids phase to a slurry tank; and   processing the relatively fine solids phase in a secondary separatory operation.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 directing the relatively large solids phase out of the dual-trough.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the primary separatory operation comprises vibratory separators. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 operating the vibratory separators to produce a wet solids phase.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 providing the return drilling at a fluid flow rate of between 140 and 210 gallons per minute.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the secondary separatory operation comprises a centrifuge. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 transmitting the relatively fine solids phase to the centrifuge at a rate of between 50 and 100 gallons per minute.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 washing the relatively fine solids phase in the second trough with a washing fluid.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the washing fluid comprises a drilling fluid. 
     
     
         25 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein directing the primarily solids phase to a dual-trough comprises controlling the flow of the primarily solids phase with a diverter to the first trough and the second trough. 
     
     
         31 . A method comprising:
 dividing a return drilling fluid into a primarily fluids phase and a primarily solids phase with a primary separatory operation;   separating the primarily solids phase into a relatively large solids phase and a relatively fine solids phase;   directing the relatively large solids phase to a first trough;   directing the relatively fine solids phase to a second trough;   transmitting the relatively fine solids phase from the second trough to a slurry tank; and   processing the relatively fine solids phase in a secondary separatory operation.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein directing the relatively large solids phase to a first trough comprises directing the relatively large solids phase from an upper surface of a scalping deck in the primary separatory operation to the first trough. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein directing the relatively fine solids phase to a second trough comprises directing the relatively fine solids phase from a fines deck in the primary separatory operation to the second trough. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 recycling the primarily fluids phase into a drilling operation.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 determining an amount of fluid remaining in the primarily solids phase prior to separating the primarily solids phase.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 adjusting the primary separatory operation to vary the amount of fluid remaining in the primarily solids phase.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 disposing of the relatively large solids phase from the first trough.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein separating the primarily solids phase into a relatively large solids phase and a relatively fine solids phase comprises adjusting a divider panel to control the flow of solids phase to either the first trough or the second trough.