Ex-situ solidification system

Abstract

An apparatus is disclosed which includes at least one feed line, a mixer including a first inlet configured to receive flow from the feed line and a second inlet configured to receive a flow from an external source, an outlet, at least one first conveyor to feed a first flow from the at least one feed hopper to the mixer, and at least one second conveyor to discharge a flow from the mixer via the outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system comprising:
 a tank module comprising a tank and a pump;   a solidification module comprising a mixer located a distance from the tank module, the solidification module configured to receive flow from the tank module and an external source; and   a flowline connecting the pump to the mixer.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the tank module is located in situ relative to a drilling rig and the solidification module is located ex situ relative to a drilling rig. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the tank comprises a downward sloped bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tank module further comprises a valve assembly to control flow to the tank and the solidification module. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus comprising:
 a feed line;   a mixer comprising a first inlet configured to receive flow from the feed line, a second inlet configured to receive a flow from an external source, and an outlet;   a first conveyor to feed a first flow from the feed hopper to the mixer; and   a second conveyor to discharge a flow from the mixer via the outlet.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a feed hopper connected to the feed line. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a generator configured to power at least one of the mixer the first conveyor, and the second conveyor. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is mounted on a trailer. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising a tank coupled to the outlet. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising:
 discharging drill cuttings from a rig;   pumping the drill cuttings to a mixer located a distance from the rig at a first rate;   mixing the drill cuttings with an additive to produce solidified drill cuttings.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising controlling a rate of the additive conveyed to the mixer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising controlling a weight ratio of the rate of the additive to the rate of drill cuttings conveyed to the mixer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising controlling the pumping of the drill cuttings with a valve assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the mixing comprises mixing 50 volume percent drill cuttings and 50 percent additive. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the additive comprises twenty-five volume percent absorption stabilizer/solidifier, and twenty-five volume percent soil.