Systems and Methods for Managing Cuttings Using Eddy Pump and Tank

Abstract

Systems and methods for handling fluid discharged from an oilfield drilling operation including cuttings and other waste products are disclosed. An eddy pump is coupled to a tank with a controller for dispensing a predefined quantity of fluid to a truck, dryer, or another suitable receptacle. The controller causes a precise quantity of fluid to be dispensed and can deliver a weight ticket to an operator which reduces the risk of too heavy a load causing a fine or too light a load to cause inefficiencies.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a tank configured to receive a mixture of fluids and solids from an oilfield drilling operation, wherein the mixture is between 60% and 80% dry;   an eddy pump operatively coupled to the tank and configured to move the mixture from the tank into an external receptacle;   an auger in the tank configured to move the mixture toward the eddy pump;   sensing mechanisms configured to sense fluid properties of the mixture; and   a controller operatively coupled to the eddy pump, the auger, and the sensing mechanisms, wherein the controller is configured to operate the eddy pump and the auger to deliver a desired quantity of the mixture to the external receptacle.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the eddy pump comprises a housing and an impeller in the housing, wherein there is between 1 inch and 9 inches of clearance between the impeller and the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to receive instructions for a quantity of fluid to deliver to the external receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the external receptacle comprises a dryer. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a recirculating loop operatively coupled to the eddy pump, wherein the recirculating loop is configured to direct a predefined portion of the fluid pumped by the eddy pump back into the tank. 
     
     
         6 . A method, comprising:
 storing a mixture of fluids and solids received from an oilfield drilling operation containing cuttings that is between 60% and 80% dry;   receiving a parameter for a quantity of the mixture to be delivered to an external receptacle;   monitoring a fluid property of the mixture;   while the fluid property of the mixture is within a predetermined acceptable range, delivering the mixture to the external receptacle using an eddy pump until the quantity of mixture has been delivered to the external receptacle; and   delivering a weight ticket describing a weight of the mixture delivered to the external receptacle.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the weight of the mixture is derived from the fluid property and the quantity of the mixture. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the eddy pump comprises a housing and an impeller in the housing, wherein there is between 1 inch and 9 inches of clearance between the impeller and the housing.