Patent ID: 7544302
Filing Date: 2009-06-09
Classification: E21B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for removing solids from drilling fluid, comprising: a) a settling tank having first and second end walls, two side walls extending between the end walls and a bottom comprising at least one v-shaped trough running lengthwise between the end walls, the trough adapted to collect solids settled from the fluid, the tank forming a receiving compartment adjacent to the first end wall, a collecting compartment adjacent to the second end wall, and an outlet; b) a substantially vertical barrier means for reversing the flow of a stream of drilling fluid containing solids received in the receiving compartment, said barrier means disposed in the receiving compartment and adapted to cause said stream to reverse direction and flow, around said barrier means thereby causing at least some of the solids contained in the fluid to settle to the bottom of the tank; c) a wall transversely mounted in the tank between the side walls, the transverse wall separating the receiving and collecting compartments, the wall defining an aperture for allowing the fluid to pass through as the fluid flows in a first direction from the receiving compartment to the collecting compartment; and d) a material conveyor for moving the settled solids at the bottom of the tank towards the outlet.