Patent ID: 6244362
Filing Date: 2001-06-12
Classification: B01D,E21B

Abstract:
A weir box for use in the flow path of drilling mud or drilling fluid prior to treatment by conventional solids control equipment of a drilling rig, comprising:a housing having opposed side walls, a front wall, and a rear wall;a drilling mud or drilling fluid separation apparatus mounted in said housing;means in said front wall for introduction of drilling mud or drilling fluid into said housing;means for selectively directing said drilling mud or drilling fluid introduced to said housing to the separation apparatus for separation of solids therefrom prior to flowing to said conventional solids control equipment or to bypass said separation apparatus to flow directly to said conventional solids control equipment;means within said housing for producing an increased hydrostatic head of said drilling mud or drilling fluid to increase the flow rate thereof to said conventional solids control equipment; andseparate first means for discharge from said housing of removed solids from said separation apparatus and second means for discharge from said housing of drilling mud or drilling fluid from said separation apparatus and drilling mud or drilling fluid directed to bypass said separation apparatus.