Patent ID: 8157014
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: B02C,E21B

Abstract:
1. A subsea solids processing unit for comminuting cuttings in drilling mud being returned from a well being drilled, comprising: a housing having a drilling mud inlet and a drilling mud outlet, the housing defining a pressure containing vessel capable of being operated in a subsea environment, the drilling mud inlet adapted to be connected to a subsea drilling mud return flow line; a solids processing mechanism disposed in the housing between the drilling mud inlet and the drilling mud outlet, the solids processing mechanism comprising: a first shaft comprising a first plurality of cutters and configured to rotate about a first axis in a first direction; a second shaft comprising a second plurality of cutters and configured to rotate about a second axis in a second direction, wherein the first plurality of cutters are configured to intermesh with the second plurality of cutters; a flushing mechanism configured to flush the solids processing mechanism with a flushing fluid; a lubricant reservoir containing a lubricant for supplying lubricant to portions of the unit; a pressure intensifier connected with the lubricant reservoir for applying a pressure to the lubricant being supplied to the unit that is responsive to and higher than drilling mud pressure at the drilling mud inlet or drilling mud outlet.