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US006533946B2
(12) United States Patent (io) Patent No.: US 6,533,946 B2
Pullman (45) Date of Patent: Mar. 18,2003
(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECYCLING DRILLING SLURRY
(75) Inventor: Doug Pullman, Watford (CA)
(73) Assignee: Roger H. Woods Limited, Watford (CA)
( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended or adjusted under 35 U.S.C. 154(b) by 84 days.
(21) Appl. No.: 09/773,578
(22) Filed: Feb. 2, 2001
(65) Prior Publication Data
US 2002/0104806 Al Aug. 8, 2002 (30) Foreign Application Priority Data
Oct. 4, 2000 (CA) 2322304
(51) Int. CI. ( 021 1 00
(52) U.S. CI 210/787; 210/744; 210/790;
210/805; 210/806; 210/121; 210/155; 210/195.1; 210/201; 210/258; 210/259; 210/319; 175/206
(58) Field of Search 210/744, 787,
210/790, 800, 805, 806, 121, 155, 195.1, 201, 258, 259, 295, 314, 319; 209/155;
175/206
An apparatus and method for recycling drilling mud contaminated with particulates, consists of channelling a stream of contaminated slurry onto a screen deck, with the partly cleansed liquid entering a mixing tank. Liquid within the tank is continually mixed. An exit conduit removes liquid from the tank on a continuous basis, where it is given an additional purification with a cyclonic separator. The heavier fraction is further screened, with the resulting purified liquid re-entering the tank. The lighter fraction exists the cyclonic separator, and a portion of the lighter liquid is withdrawn for use as a substantially cleansed liquid. Another portion of the lighter fraction is re-circulated back into the tank, thus providing multi passes through the system to provide enhanced purification. The cleansed liquid may be directed into a separate mixing apparatus, in which additional slurryforming powder such as Bentonite is added for forming a new slurry.
15 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
