Abstract:
This application relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning drill cuttings recovered from a wellbore. Specifically, the apparatus includes an effective system for handling and washing drill cuttings at a well site to remove hydrocarbon contaminants. The system successively washes hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings in organic solvent and water to remove and recover the hydrocarbon contaminates, and produce cleaned drill cuttings that may enable disposal of clean drill cuttings without further treatment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This application relates to an apparatus and method for cleaning drill cuttings recovered from a wellbore. Specifically, the apparatus includes an effective system for handling and washing drill cuttings at a well site to remove hydrocarbon contaminants. The system washes hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings in organic solvent and water to remove and recover the hydrocarbon contaminates, and produce cleaned drill cuttings that may enable disposal of clean drill cuttings without further treatment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the process of drilling oil wells, segments of rock, clay or the like (hereafter drill cuttings or drilling waste) are created by the drilling process and are carried to the surface by drilling fluid circulating in the well. Drill cuttings generally range in size from fines (approximately 1 to 100 microns) to rock chips (approximately 1 to 2 cm). As is known, in addition to carrying drilling waste to the surface, the drilling fluid serves other purposes including strengthening the walls of the wellbore, preventing contamination of the well and damage to the various formations, protecting metal parts from corrosion, providing lubrication to the drilling string as well as cooling and lubricating the drill bit during drilling. 
     The drilling fluids used in drilling a well are often a hydrocarbon based slurry commonly referred to as an “oil mud”. An oil mud is generally comprised of a high proportion of oil based fluids together with other additives that are designed to impart specific properties to the drilling fluid. Drilling fluids are often expensive fluids that constitute a significant expense of a drilling program. Moreover, as drill cuttings are carried to the surface, they will absorb hydrocarbons or will otherwise become coated with hydrocarbons contained in the oil mud and from hydrocarbons released from various formations. As a result of this contamination, the drilling waste is unfit for simple disposal at the surface. Hydrocarbon/drilling fluid contamination of the drill cuttings may be approximately 10-50% of the total volume of the drill cuttings off the drilling rig shaker system. Accordingly, at the surface, drill cuttings and the drilling fluid are subjected to various separation techniques (most commonly shakers and/or centrifuges) in order to recover as much drilling fluid as possible for re-use in the well and to stabilize the drill cuttings for disposal. 
     In addition, hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings must be stabilized and/or cleaned before disposal in order to mitigate environmental damage and comply with government regulations. 
     However, most drill cutting/drilling fluid separation technologies only provide a preliminary separation of drill cuttings and drill fluid with the end result being that substantial amounts of hydrocarbons (typically 10-50% of the total volume of the drill cuttings) from the drilling fluid and the formations remain coated on the drill cuttings after rudimentary surface separation. As noted above, as both drilling fluid and other hydrocarbons are valuable and government regulations require either cleaning of drill cuttings or special containment at a disposal site, there has been a need for improved techniques to recover a greater percentage of drilling fluid and hydrocarbons from drill cuttings and to provide cleaner drill cuttings that can be readily disposed of. 
     A review of the prior art reveals that various technologies for cleaning drill cuttings have been described. Canadian Patent No. 2,317,858 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,550,552 to Pappa et al. disclose a washing process in which drill cuttings contaminated with an oil-based drilling fluid are successively washed using ethyl acetate or hexane. U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,892 to Herold et al. discloses washing drill cutting with ecologically compatible, biologically degradable oil. U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,608 to Rayborn discloses separating oil contaminated cuttings from a drilling mud, contacting the cutting with a detergent solution to remove the oil from the cuttings and returning the oil and detergent solution to the drilling mud. U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,929 to Malachosky et al. discloses removing drill cuttings from a well and sequentially passing cuttings through a shale shaker, washing with water and disposing of the cuttings. U.S. Pat. No. 6,846,420 to Reddy et al. discloses introducing drill cuttings into a separating zone, adding an aqueous acidic solution containing a polymer substituted with an amino group and a halogenating agent such as sodium hypochlorite (“bleach”) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,997 to Stowe discloses a first inclined tub containing a heated stripper solution, a second inclined tub containing a hot rinse liquid and a third inclined tub containing cold rinse water for removing oil from drill cuttings. 
     In drill cutting cleaning processes, the cuttings are often agitated to aid in the removal of hydrocarbon fluids from the cuttings. This agitation generally degrades the cuttings into smaller sized particles and fines, adding to the difficulty of separating the cuttings from hydrocarbon fluids and often leaving small fragments of cuttings or fines in recovered drilling fluids. The properties of a drilling fluid are important for the effectiveness of the drilling fluid, and fines in a recovered fluid can alter the properties of the fluid and reduce its&#39; effectiveness. Therefore it is desirable to prevent degradation of the cuttings during cleaning. 
     Furthermore, it is important that the costs of cleaning contaminated drill cuttings are reasonable and/or are improved over past techniques. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, there is provided a drill cuttings cleaning system for cleaning hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings comprising: a pipe and auger system for operatively containing contaminated drill cuttings and a cleaning solvent and enabling counter current flow of contaminated drill cuttings and cleaning solvent with respect to one another wherein rotation of an auger within the pipe and auger system effects movement of drill cuttings with respect to the solvent for cleaning the contaminated drill cuttings. 
     The pipe and auger system will preferably have a top end and a bottom end and wherein the top end is positioned at a higher level relative to the bottom end and the cleaning solvent partially fills the pipe and auger system. A drill cuttings inlet is provided for the entry of contaminated drill cuttings into the pipe adjacent the bottom end and a drill cuttings outlet is provided for the exit of contaminated drill cuttings from the pipe adjacent the top end. In other embodiments, the solvent inlet for the entry of cleaning solvent into the pipe is in a mid-region of the pipe and the solvent exit is adjacent the bottom end for removing solvent from the pipe. The system may also include at least a second pipe and auger system operatively connected to the first pipe and auger system to enable successive processing of drill cuttings through both (or more) systems. 
     The system may also comprise a drying system operatively connected to the drill cuttings cleaning system for drying cleaned drill cuttings. 
     In one embodiment, the drying system comprises: an angled pipe having an upper end and a lower end; a drying system auger operatively contained in the angled pipe; a drill cuttings inlet adjacent the lower end of the angled pipe; a drill cuttings outlet adjacent the upper end of the angled pipe; a solvent vapour outlet attached to the angled pipe; and a heating system operatively connected to the drying system for heating drill cuttings within the drying system. 
     In another embodiment, the drying system auger includes an outer flighting having a diameter substantially equivalent to the inner diameter of the angled pipe and an inner flighting having a diameter less than the inner diameter of the angled pipe. 
     In one embodiment, the heating system is an external heating jacket having an internal passage, the internal passage for the circulation of a heating fluid within the internal passage. In one embodiment, the external heating jacket extends 180 degrees around the angled pipe. 
     In another embodiment, the inner fighting and outer flighting define a helical heating space between the inner flighting and outer flighting enabling heating fluid to be circulated between the inner flighting and the outer flighting of the drying system auger. 
     In yet another embodiment, the system may further comprise a distillation system operatively connected to the drill cuttings cleaning system for distilling solvent and recovering cleaned solvent and hydrocarbons for re-use. 
     In another embodiment, the system may also include a purge gas system operatively connected to the drill cuttings cleaning system for circulating a purge gas within the drill cuttings cleaning system. 
     In yet another embodiment, the a drill cuttings cleaning system for cleaning hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings is provided comprising: an angled pipe having a top end, middle portion and a lower end, the angled pipe operatively containing an auger for countercurrent movement of contaminated drill cuttings and a cleaning solvent with respect to one another within the angled pipe, the angled pipe having a drill cuttings inlet adjacent the lower end, a drill cuttings outlet adjacent the top end, solvent inlet adjacent the middle portion and a solvent outlet adjacent the lower end; wherein rotation of the auger within the pipe effects movement of drill cuttings with respect to the solvent for cleaning the contaminated drill cuttings without substantial degradation of particle size of the drill cuttings; a drying system operatively connected to the angled pipe, the drying system comprising: a drying pipe angled to define an upper end and a lower end; a drying auger operatively contained in the angled pipe, the drying auger having an outer flighting and an inner flighting; a dryer drill cuttings inlet adjacent the lower end of the drying pipe; a dryer drill cuttings outlet adjacent the upper end of the drying pipe; a solvent vapour outlet attached to the drying pipe; and a heating system operatively connected to the exterior of the drying pipe for heating drill cuttings within the drying pipe. 
     In another aspect, a method of cleaning drill cuttings in at least one pipe and auger cleaning system comprising the steps of: a) introducing contaminated drill cuttings and a cleaning solvent into the pipe and auger cleaning system; b) flowing the contaminated drill cuttings and cleaning solvent in a countercurrent direction with respect to one another; c) collecting and distilling cleaning solvent from the pipe and auger cleaning and re-circulating cleaned solvent through the pipe and auger cleaning system; and, d) recovering cleaned drill cuttings from the pipe and auger cleaning system and introducing the cleaned drill cuttings into a drying system. 
     In another embodiment, the auger of the pipe and auger system is rotated at a rate that does not cause substantive structural degradation of the contaminated drill cuttings. 
     In another embodiment, the drying system is a pipe and auger drying system and step d) further comprises: heating the pipe and auger drying system to effect evaporation of solvent from the cleaned drill cuttings while moving cleaned drill cuttings within the pipe and auger drying system. 
     In various embodiments, the ratio of solvent to drill cuttings in the pipe is at least 2:1. Preferred cleaning solvent is any one of n-butyl alcohol, hexane or ethyl acetate. 
     In another aspect, a method for cleaning hydrocarbon contaminated drill cuttings with a cleaning solvent is provided comprising the steps of: i) conveying contaminated drill cuttings through a partially used organic solvent and thereafter separating partially cleaned drill cuttings and used organic solvent; ii) conveying the partially cleaned drill cuttings through a clean organic solvent and thereafter separating cleaned drill cuttings and partially used organic solvent; recovering the partially used organic solvent from step ii) for use in step i); and, distilling used organic solvent from step i) for recovery of clean organic solvent for step ii) and hydrocarbon contaminants. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a drill cuttings washing system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic side view of a drill cuttings washing apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic side view of a drill cuttings wash tank in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of a drying system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a drying system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dual flighting and heating system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention and, 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a wash system showing the position of nozzles for preventing the build-up of residue within the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to the figures, systems and methods for cleaning drill cuttings recovered from a wellbore during oilfield drilling operations are described.  FIG. 1  shows a schematic overview of a system  10  and  FIGS. 2-5A  show preferred design features of the system. 
     As shown, the system  10  generally includes a storage/delivery system  12  for receiving drill cuttings from a drilling rig  11 ,  11   a , a wash system  14 , a drying system  20 , a condenser  21  and a distillation system  22 . The wash system  14  preferably includes a first wash system  14   a , a second wash system  14   b  and a third wash system  14   c . Drill cuttings  44  (contaminated and cleaned) and solvent  50  (clean and contaminated) are moved through the system as shown generally by the solid and dotted-line arrows in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 . The system may also include one or more cameras  70 , a personal video recorder (PVR)  71  and a programmable logic controller (PLC) that may each be operatively connected to the internet  72  for remote monitoring, control and reporting. While the system is generally described with three wash systems, it is understood that one or more wash systems can be utilized in accordance with the invention. 
     Storage/Delivery System 
     Drill cuttings contaminated with drilling fluid and/or hydrocarbons from a wellbore  11   a  and drilling rig  11  are deposited into the storage/delivery system  12  after the drill cuttings have been removed from a standard shaker (not shown) at a drilling site. In the preferred embodiment, the storage/delivery system is a hopper bin  12   a  with an auger  12   b  that can be operated to receive and gently move the drill cuttings from the hopper bin to the first wash system  14   a . In typical operation for normal processing volumes, the hopper bin and auger can move drill cuttings at a rate of approximately 16 volumetric liters per minute. 
     Wash System 
     The first  14   a , second  14   b  and third  14   c  wash systems are substantially similar to each other as shown in  FIG. 2 . A representative wash system  14 , as shown in greater detail in  FIG. 3 , includes a round pipe  30  positioned in an upward angle of approximately 15°; the round pipe including a top end  30   a  sealed with a top end cap  32   a , a bottom end  30   b  sealed with a bottom end cap  32   b , a cuttings inlet  36 , a cuttings outlet  38 , a solvent inlet  40  and a solvent outlet  42 . A rotatable auger  34  is located inside the pipe for moving cuttings  44  from the bottom end of the pipe to the top end. The auger is driven by an auger drive system  34   a . In operation, the pipe is partially filled with solvent  50  to create a solvent flooded area  52  inside the pipe and a “dry” area  54 . The wash system is supported by a chassis  60  that may include a first and second wheel  62   a ,  62   b  to enable easy movement of each wash system at a well site. The chassis will preferably have an adjustable leg  64  connected to the pipe  30  to allow the angle of the pipe to be easily adjusted by moving the leg. 
     During operation, drill cuttings  44  are conveyed into the cuttings inlet  36  where they are contacted with the solvent  50  and moved via the auger  34  through the solvent flooded area  52  to the dry area  54  and out the pipe through the cuttings outlet  38 . The auger rotates at a speed necessary to convey the cuttings at a rate sufficient to ensure mixing of cuttings and solvent and to ensure that the cuttings are immersed for an appropriate time within the solvent flooded area for the cuttings to be cleaned to a desired level but not significantly degraded into smaller particles and fines from aggressive processing. In addition, the auger is rotated at a speed to ensure that the drill cuttings spend sufficient time in the dry area to allow solvent to drain off the cuttings and generally prevent excessive carry-over of solvent through cuttings outlet  38 . Under typical processing volumes and conditions, a preferred auger speed is approximately 1 rpm that provides a contact time between the solvent and the cuttings of about 20 minutes. Under these conditions, cuttings will spend about 5 to 10 minutes in the dry area where much of the remaining solvent on the cuttings is evaporated and/or drains off the cuttings. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the pipe  30  is approximately 36″ in diameter and approximately 20 feet long. Under normal operating conditions, the volume inside the pipe including solvent and cuttings create a flooded area that covers the bottom 12′ of the pipe, leaving the last 8′ as the dry area. This flooded volume is about 1000 L (36 cubic feet), comprised of approximately 650 to 700 L of solvent and 300 to 350 L of drill cuttings in order to achieve a desired 2:1 ratio (v/v) of solvent to drill cuttings. 
     The first, second, and third wash system are positioned relative to one another as shown in  FIG. 2  with the cuttings outlet  38  of the first wash system positioned directly above the cuttings inlet  36  of the second wash system, and the cuttings outlet of the second wash system positioned directly above the cuttings inlet of the third wash system. This positioning allows the cuttings to drop directly from one wash system to another wash system, minimizing the handling and hence degradation of the cuttings. The cuttings outlet of the third wash system is positioned directly above the drying system  20  to allow the cuttings to drop directly from the third wash system to the drying system. Ideally, each connection is sealed to prevent the escape of solvent vapours. 
     Drying System 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the drying system  20  includes a container  80  with a screen  82  positioned across the top opening of the container. Fully cleaned and mostly dry cuttings are emitted from the cuttings outlet of the third wash system through an air lock  20   c  onto the screen where air is drawn through the screen to draw any residual solvent from the cuttings into the container  80  below. The container has a drying system solvent outlet  86  in which the solvent exits the container for re-use and/or cleaning. The fully dry cuttings are then moved from the screen into a totebox  88  for disposal. 
     In another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the drying system  20  includes a tank of similar design to the wash tanks. In this embodiment, the drill cuttings enter the dryer through an inlet  20   a  at one end and are conveyed up the dryer tank  99  to an outlet/air lock  20   b  where the cuttings drop into totebox  88 . Unlike the washing units, the dryer applies heat to the exterior of the tank and the auger fighting to promote evaporation of solvent from the cleaned drill cuttings. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the drying system preferably includes a heating jacket  100  surrounding the outer surface of the tank. As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the heating jacket is positioned around the outer surface of the tank from an approximate 2 o&#39;clock position to an approximate 8 o&#39;clock position (180 degrees) to ensure a more direct heating of the tank contents without heating the tank in positions where drill cuttings are not in contact with the tank walls. As understood by those skilled in the art, during normal counter-clockwise operation of the drying system, auger  102  (as shown in  FIG. 5 ) causes drill cuttings to be dragged up the side of the tank  99  thereby causing the drill cuttings to preferentially contact one side of the tank. Preferably, the heating jacket provides approximately 82 ft 2  of heated surface area for a 1 m diameter auger. The heating jacket includes an inlet  100   a  and outlet  100   b  to allow a heating fluid, such as hot oil, to be circulated within the jacket and provide efficient heating of the tank. The heating fluid includes an appropriate heating and pumping system  104  for heating and circulating the heating fluid. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the heating system also includes double auger flighting  106   a ,  106   b  having different diameters, through which the heating fluid flows. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the outer flighting  106   a  substantially corresponds in diameter to the inner diameter of the tube whereas the inner flighting  106   b  has a moderately smaller diameter. Preferably, a helical space  150  is provided between the inner flighting  106   b  and outer flighting  106   a  so as to further improve the heat transfer and hence drying capabilities of the unit. In this embodiment, the auger shaft  102  allows the passage of hot heating fluid through the auger shaft and within the helical space  150  between the inner and outer flighting. 
     Ideally, the inner flighting and outer flighting are spaced apart by approximately ½″ to allow for the heating fluid to flow between the inner flighting and the outer flighting. The heating fluid enters the shaft of the auger through a first rotary manifold  160 , flows through the helical space  150  ( FIG. 5A ) and exits the flighting at the opposite end of the auger through a second rotary manifold  161 . From the second rotary manifold, the heating fluid preferably flows through the heating jacket, whereupon it is discharged from port  162  and re-heated and pumped by heating and pumping system  104 . 
     As noted above, the use of heating fluid between the inner and outer flighting increases the total heated surface to provide thorough contact between the cleaned drill cuttings and the heated surfaces in the tank. In the preferred embodiment, the heated surface area when the heating jacket is used in conjunction with the heated flights is greater than 300 ft 2 . 
     In addition, the smaller diameter of the inner flighting prevents additional friction forces (drag) between the inner fighting and the inner walls of the tanks. The reduced friction allows for easier turning of the auger and improved operating costs as less energy is required to operate the auger. 
     Liquid solvent in the drying system is vapourized and recovered. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the drying system also includes a solvent recovery system  110  for recovering and condensing solvent vapours from the drying system. Solvent vapours are recovered from solvent vapour ports  110   a  and passed through manifold  110   b  under the operation of a fan  21   a . Recovered vapours are condensed in solvent vapour condenser  21   b  for return to solvent storage  23 . 
     Due to the flammable nature of solvents, the dryer will preferably include a purge gas system  120  to reduce the possibility of fire or explosions within the system. Appropriate purge gases such as nitrogen can be utilized to ensure a low oxygen environment within the drying system as well as the first, second and third wash tanks. The purge gas system may be individually configured to each unit each with a separate recirculation system, or to the entire system having a single recirculation system. In each case, the purge gas is preferably circulated, recovered and recirculated through each unit within the system. 
     Solvent Flow 
     The solvent flow through the third, second and first wash systems is controlled in such a way to conserve solvent and to generally have the cleanest solvent contacting the cuttings last and the most contaminated solvent having initial contact with the cuttings. Clean solvent is injected into the solvent inlet of the third wash system and the partially contaminated solvent exiting the third wash system drain is pumped into the solvent inlet of the second wash system, where it pushes the more contaminated solvent out the drain of the second wash system. This more contaminated solvent is then pumped into the solvent inlet of the first wash system, pushing fully contaminated solvent out the drain of the first wash system where it is pumped to the distillation system  22  for cleaning. The successive flow of solvent through the wash systems decreases the amount of solvent required compared to other systems, therefore decreasing the amount of solvent that must be distilled and decreasing the energy consumption of the system. 
     As the solvent progresses through each of the third, second and first wash systems undergo, the solvent will be subject to greater contamination with hydrocarbon fluids as the hydrocarbon fluids are removed from the cuttings by the solvent. As such, during the drill cuttings cleaning process, additional clean solvent may be optionally injected into each wash system to enhance the cleaning effect in each wash system. In this case, additional solvent may enter wash system through the main solvent inlet  40 . To keep the level of solvent in the wash systems steady, the solvent must leave each wash system at the same rate as total solvent enters the pipe. Due to the upward angle of the pipe, as the cleaner solvent enters the pipe, the dirtier solvent will flow to the bottom end of the pipe and out through the solvent drain  42  that may include an appropriate valve to control flow rates. The preferred rate of solvent addition and removal is approximately 16 liters to 32 liters per minute for a system having a 1 meter diameter tank and auger. 
     Solvent may also be injected into each washing system using a series of nozzles  200  that distribute the flow of solvent across a defined zone of the washing system. Such nozzles will preferably be positioned along the side of the auger system that does not have drill cuttings being dragged up as shown in  FIG. 6  and be positioned so as to assist in preventing the build up of oily residues on the interior surfaces of the pipe and auger. That is, in normal operation, as the drill cuttings are being conveyed by the auger, a cuttings profile  202  will tend to form as shown in  FIG. 6  where due to the direction of rotation, cuttings will tend to rise up one side of the auger thus defining one zone that is continuously covered by cuttings and a second zone that is not covered by cuttings but may carry a residue of oils/solvents that may adhere to the tube and auger. Thus, it is preferred that the tube be provided with nozzles that are positioned in locations that allow for the distribution of solvent against the auger and tube wall to prevent the build up of residues. 
     The location of the solvent drain may also be varied to assist in the separation of water from the system. For example, the solvent drain  42  may be positioned at a higher position  42   a  at the lower end of the wash system so as to enable water and solvent to be removed from the system at different locations. That is, in the case where the water is not miscible and is denser than solvent, water may be removed from a lower region ( 42  as shown in  FIG. 3 ) and solvent is removed from the higher region  42   a.    
     An alternate number of washing systems may be used instead of three depending on the volumes of cuttings being processed and/or the relative degree of contamination of cuttings and/or the economics of a particular system. For example, one, two or four or more washing systems could be used. 
     Distillation System 
     The distillation system  22  is a typical distillation system known to those versed in the art. The contaminated solvent exiting the first wash system solvent overflow valve is pumped into the distillation system where it is separated into clean solvent and hydrocarbon fluids. Both the solvent and hydrocarbon fluids can be re-used. 
     Solvent 
     Preferred solvents for use in the system include N-Butyl Alcohol, Ethyl Acetate and Hexane. In certain applications, N-Butyl Alcohol is a preferred solvent as it has been determined to be efficient in the removal of oil from drill cuttings, thereby increasing the cost effectiveness of the system. N-Butyl Alcohol also has a higher flash point than the other two solvents, thereby decreasing safety risks at a worksite. However, in some applications, N-butyl Alcohol can be disadvantaged as it is miscible with water which can decrease its effectiveness if the contaminated drill cuttings have substantial water contamination. Hexane is also an effective solvent which, in certain applications, is advantaged over N-butyl alcohol as it is less miscible with water, and hence allows for water contamination to be effectively separated from the solvent and hydrocarbons. However, when compared to the effectiveness of N-butyl alcohol in situations where water contamination is very low, hexane is a less effective solvent. 
     Thus, the choice of solvent will depend on particular field situations and/or applications. 
     System Sensors and Control 
     In a preferred embodiment, the system is automated such that a single operator can monitor and adjust the equipment as required during a typical drill cutting cleaning job and maintain safe operation of the system. Such sensors designated as S in the drawings include, level transducers to determine solids &amp; liquid levels in the tanks, pressure transmitters to monitor pressure within the system and to determine if any part of the system is over-pressurizing which could cause imminent failure, temperature probes to measure heat loss and heat gain throughout the different components of the system, flow totalizers to measure solvent movement throughout the various stages of the system, and video cameras  70  for off site monitoring of the equipment when in use. Each of the sensors and/or cameras  70  may be configured to an appropriate programmable logic controller (PLC)  72  and/or personal video recorder (PVR)  71  as appropriate. Communication and control may be performed over the internet  73 . 
     EXAMPLES 
     Extensive field testing was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the system against contaminated drill cuttings. In a first test, drill cuttings contaminated with approximately 30% hydrocarbons by volume were added to a system having two successive mix tank systems and subjected to cleaning at a rate of 16 volumetric liters of n-butyl alcohol solvent per minute. 
     More specifically, a solvent to drill cuttings ratio of 2:1 (by volume) was maintained with solvent being added at 16 liters per minute. For the two-tank system, the results showed a reduction in the hydrocarbon contamination on the cleaned cuttings to a level between 1-2% by volume as shown in Table 1. The addition of a third tank substantially improved the separation to a level less than 1% by volume. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Field Trials 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Initial 
                 Final HC 
                 Final HC 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Contam- 
                 Contam- 
                 Contam- 
               
               
                   
                 Wash 
                 Solvent/ 
                 ination 
                 ination 
                 ination 
               
               
                 Sample 
                 Stages 
                 Cuttings 
                 (vol %) 
                 (ppm) 
                 (vol %) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 2 
                 2:1 
                 30 
                 9903 
                 1 
               
               
                 2 
                 2 
                 2:1 
                 30 
                 18,854 
                 2 
               
               
                 3 
                 3 
                 2:1 
                 50 
                 1,609 
                 0.2 
               
               
                 4 
                 3 
                 2:1 
                 50 
                 2,095 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 5 
                 3 
                 2:1 
                 50 
                 5,238 
                 0.65 
               
               
                 6 
                 3 
                 2:1 
                 50 
                 2,874 
                 0.29 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The cleaned drill cuttings upon recovery at the totebox had a dry consistency with effectively no visible contamination particularly for those drill cuttings subjected to three wash stages. In addition, as a result of the relatively low rpm operation of the augers, the drill cuttings are subjected to minimal turbulence within the auger system such that the recovered drill cuttings are not degraded in size. This is important as the substantial generation of fines can result in contamination of any recovered fluids wherein it may become necessary to subject those fluids to subsequent and aggressive separation techniques to remove the fines. 
     Importantly, as a result of the low hydrocarbon contamination, the cuttings could be handled without further remediation. 
     As a result, it can be seen that the system is very effective in hydrocarbon removal from drill cuttings. 
     It should also be noted that the systems and methods described herein are related to contaminated drill cuttings, the systems and methods may also be effectively used with other contaminated materials such as soil. Similarly, contaminants may not be strictly limited to hydrocarbons related to the oil industry but could be other contaminants from other industries. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments and preferred uses thereof, it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full, intended scope of the invention as understood by those skilled in the art.