Patent ID: 8789622

Claim:
A continuous microwave particulate treatment system for treating fluid from a wellbore, the continuous microwave particulate treatment system comprising: a. at least one means for separating particulate from drilling fluid connected to a power supply, wherein the at least one means for separating particulate from drilling fluid receives drilling fluid from the wellbore and separates the fluid into a slurry, wherein the slurry comprises cuttings discharge and an oil and water emulsion; b. a cuttings discharge collection device connected to the power supply, and connected to each means for separating particulate from drilling fluid for continuously moving slurry from each means for separating particulate from drilling fluid; c. a material handling controller connected electrically to the power supply and electronically connected to each of the means for separating particulate from drilling fluid and the cuttings discharge collection device, wherein the material handling controller regulates flow of the drilling fluid into each means for separating particulate from drilling fluid and regulating flow of the slurry from each means for separating particulate from drilling fluid, and through the cuttings discharge collection device; and d. a continuous cuttings processing station electronically connected to the treatment system controller and in fluid communication with the cuttings discharge collection device, the continuous cuttings processing station comprising: (i) a vibrating trough for continuously receiving the slurry from the cuttings discharge collection device; (ii) a plurality of non-deforming microwave heatable polishing and grinding media disposed in the vibrating trough; (iii) at least one microwave generator for continuously irradiating the slurry in the vibrating trough with microwaves, wherein the microwaves heat water in the slurry while simultaneously heating the plurality of non-deforming microwave heatable polishing and grinding media disposed in the vibrating trough; and (iv) at least one microwave waveguide directing microwaves from each microwave generator at the slurry in the vibrating trough; wherein the continuous cuttings processing station treats slurry continuously, creating water vapor and oil droplets and cleaned cuttings; and wherein the material handling controller and treatment system controller communicate with each other using computer instructions to compare flow rates to preset limits to ensure continuous cleaning of the drilling fluid without overflow.