Patent ID: 11933121
Assignee: SOLIDSVAC PTY LTD ACN 664060137
Field: Chemical engineering (Chemistry)
Classification: CPC E  B | IPC B  E

Claim 16:
17. A system for separating drill cuttings from drilling mud comprising:
a rotatable cylindrical screen comprising an inlet adapted to receive drill cuttings combined with drilling mud and an outlet longitudinally spaced from the inlet; and a screw conveyer in fixed connection with the screen and extending within the screen between the inlet and the outlet, wherein rotation of the cylindrical screen and the screw conveyer is adapted to move the drill cuttings along an inner surface of the screen towards the outlet for exit through the outlet;
a wash unit comprising a plurality of manifolds positionable within the cylindrical screen away from the inlet at spaced locations extending towards the outlet, each manifold comprising a plurality of spray openings supplied by a pressurized aqueous surfactant supply tank, the spray openings being adapted to apply a fan-like spray of the aqueous surfactant to the drill cuttings within the cylindrical screen;
a vacuum unit comprising a suction head in sprung connection with a portion of an outer surface of the screen at or towards the inlet, the vacuum unit adapted to obtain drilling mud under vacuum through the screen prior to delivery of aqueous surfactant to the drill cuttings by the wash unit and to transfer the drilling mud from the system for re-use;
a catch tank adapted to receive a mixture comprising drilling mud combined with aqueous surfactant and particulate fines that has passed through the cylindrical screen; and
a centrifuge unit adapted to receive the mixture comprising drilling mud, aqueous surfactant, and particulate fines received by the catch tank, to separate the drilling mud, aqueous surfactant, and particulate fines into solid, oil, and water phases, and to recycle the water phase separated by the centrifuge unit into the aqueous surfactant supply tank.