Separator and method of separation with a pressure differential device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10443327-B2
Application number	US-201414461946-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 18, 2014
Priority date	Aug 16, 2013
Publication date	Oct 15, 2019
Grant date	Oct 15, 2019

Abstract

A separator having a pressure differential generating system is disclosed. The pressure differential generating system generates a pressure differential with respect to a screen of the separator. Fluid is supplied to the pressure differential generating device to generate the pressure differential across a screen of the separator. The separator can be utilized to separate drill cuttings from drilling fluid to increase an amount of drilling fluid recovered as a result of the pressure differential.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a separator having an inlet end and a discharge end;
a screen connected to the separator to separate a first portion from a second portion of a slurry, wherein the first portion is passable through the screen;
a pressure differential generating device in first fluid communication with the screen via an input of the pressure differential generating device; and
a fluid source that is (i) distinct from the first portion that is passable through the screen, and (ii) in second fluid communication with the pressure differential generating device via a port of the pressure differential generating device that is separate from the input of the pressure differential generating device,
wherein the first fluid communication between the screen and the pressure differential generating device provided by the input is distinct and separate from the second fluid communication between the fluid source and the pressure differential generating device provided by the port, and
further wherein, via the second fluid communication, the fluid source provides a fluid to the pressure differential generating device to generate a pressure differential with respect to a top area and a bottom area of the screen and, via the first fluid communication, the generated pressure differential draws the first portion of the slurry through the screen and conveys the first portion, comprising drilling or wellbore fluid, through the pressure differential generating device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid is air or compressed air.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a tray positioned under the screen wherein the pressure differential generating device is connected to the tray.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the tray collects the drilling or wellbore fluid passing through the screen and directs the fluid into and through the pressure differential generating device.

5. The system of claim 3 wherein the tray is integrally formed with the pressure differential generating device.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the tray is integrally formed with the screen and further wherein the tray and the screen comprise composite material.

7. The system of claim 3 wherein the tray is integrally formed with a fitting, and further wherein a conduit is secured to the fitting and the pressure differential generating device.

8. The system of claim 3 further comprising a conduit connected to the tray and the pressure differential generating device.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the conduit is positioned between the tray and the pressure differential generating device.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the pressure differential generating device is secured between the tray and the conduit.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the pressure differential generating device comprises a structure configured such that flow of the fluid through the pressure differential generating device causes a Venturi effect upon the fluid from the fluid source to provide the pressure differential across the screen.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the fluid is directed to an injection port in the pressure differential generating device to create the pressure differential.

13. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
a sump in fluid communication with the pressure differential generating device to receive the fluid passing through the screen and the pressure differential generating device.

14. A method comprising:
arranging a screen between an inlet end of and a discharge end of a vibratory separator;
distributing a slurry having a wellbore fluid and cuttings on the screen;
flowing a fluid within an interior of a pressure differential generating device via a port of the pressure differential generating device;
generating a pressure differential between an area above the screen and an area below the screen as a result of a change in velocity of the fluid flowing in the interior of the pressure differential generating device;
drawing the wellbore fluid through the screen toward the pressure differential generating device via an input of the pressure differential generating device;
passing the wellbore fluid through the interior of the pressure differential generating device,
wherein the input provides first fluid communication to the pressure differential generating device, the port provides second fluid communication to the pressure differential generating device and the second fluid communication to the pressure differential generating device is distinct and separate from the first fluid communication to the pressure differential generating device such that the fluid flowing within the interior of the pressure differential generating device is distinct from the wellbore fluid drawn through the screen and the pressure differential generating device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
directing the fluid and the wellbore fluid into the pressure differential generating device.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
altering the pressure differential by altering an amount of fluid provided to the pressure differential generating device.

17. The method of claim 14 further comprising:
pulsing the pressure differential between a first amount of pressure differential and a second amount of pressure differential wherein the second amount is zero and the first amount is greater than zero.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the pressure differential generating device is remote from the screen.

19. The system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid source is external to the separator.

Assignees

• Mi Llc

Inventors

• Frazier Evan T
• Cady Eric
• Timmerman Michael A

Classifications

• B07B13/16

  Feed or discharge arrangements · CPC title

• B07B1/28

  Moving screens not otherwise provided for, e.g. swinging, reciprocating, rocking, tilting or wobbling screens · CPC title

• B07B1/46

  Constructional details of screens in general; Cleaning or heating of screens · CPC title

• E21B21/065 Primary

  Separating solids from drilling fluids · CPC title

• E21B21/06

  Arrangements for treating drilling fluids outside the borehole · CPC title