Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles, such as drill cuttings, from a flowable substance, such as drilling mud, is provided. The apparatus comprises an inlet for entry of particles combined with the flowable substance; an outlet for exit of particles separated from the flowable substance; a movable screen located between the inlet and the outlet; and a wash unit for delivering a wash agent to the particles. The screen allows for passage of the flowable substance therethrough, and defines a path for passage of the particles between the inlet and the outlet. Delivery of the wash agent to the particles assists with separation of the particles from the flowable substance. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles, such as drill cuttings, from a flowable substance, such as drilling mud, is provided. The apparatus comprises an inlet for entry of particles combined with the flowable substance; an outlet for exit of particles separated from the flowable substance; a movable screen located between the inlet and the outlet; and a wash unit for delivering a wash agent to the particles. The screen allows for passage of the flowable substance therethrough, and defines a path for passage of the particles between the inlet and the outlet. Delivery of the wash agent to the particles assists with separation of the particles from the flowable substance. Associated systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: Storage apparatus includes a supporting base (11) supporting silos (14) having a lower conical portion (15) and silo port (16) controlled by an outlet knifegate valve (17), and a charging port (20) controlled by an inlet knifegate valve (21). An upper portion (22) of the silo is closed by a domed top (18). The silo ports (16) are manifolded to a common outlet (not shown). A charge manifold (25) interconnects the respective upper charging ports (20) and connects the ports to the cuttings source conduit (26). A pressure/vacuum port (27) is connected via cycle control valve (30) to an ejector assembly (not shown) valved to be able to cycle between a vacuum phase and a pressure phase of about 16 psig using a compressed air source. Control means is selectively operable to control the outlet valve (17), inlet valve (21) and cycle control valve (30).

Abstract: A pneumatic evacuation pump includes an inlet assembly having an inlet valve, a charging port, and purge air injection means. A chamber includes a charge end opening to the charging port, and a discharge end. A delivery assembly includes a passage between the discharge end and a delivery outlet, a delivery valve interposed in the passage between the discharge end and the delivery outlet, and a venturi vacuum source opening to the passage between a discharge valve and the discharge end. Exhaust air injection means located downstream of the discharge valve utilizes exhaust air from the venturi vacuum source. A compressed air supply supplies the venturi vacuum source and the purge air injection means. Control means acts to coordinate a cycle of operation of the venturi vacuum source, the purge air injection means, the exhaust air injection means and the inlet and delivery valves.

Abstract: A Pump consisting of a pressure vessel (50), an inlet nozzle (51), an ejector nozzle (52) by which vacuum and pressure are applied, and an outlet nozzle (53). The inlet and outlet nozzles (51, 52) are selectively closed by interconnected knife gate valves, operated in tandem by a pneumatic cylinder whereby when one valve is closed, the other is open an vice-versa. An ejector valve located in the ejector nozzle (52) alternately creates vacuum and generate air flow through the vessel (50). The air from the ejector is introduced into the discharge line after closure of the outlet valve.

Abstract: Storage apparatus includes a supporting base (11) supporting silos (14) having a lower conical portion (15) and silo port (16) controlled by an outlet knifegate valve (17), and a charging port (20) controlled by an inlet knifegate valve (21). An upper portion (22) of the silo is closed by a domed top (18). The silo ports (16) are manifolded to a common outlet (not shown). A charge manifold (25) interconnects the respective upper charging ports (20) and connects the ports to the cuttings source conduit (26). A pressure/vacuum port (27) is connected via cycle control valve (30) to an ejector assembly (not shown) valved to be able to cycle between a vacuum phase and a pressure phase of about 16 psig using a compressed air source. Control means is selectively operable to control the outlet valve (17), inlet valve (21) and cycle control valve (30).

Abstract: Cutting wash apparatus includes a wash tank (11) having side walls (15) converging to an inclined lower floor (16) and containing an air agitated wash solution including a surfactant. A cyclone separator (27) receives an oil-based mud and cutting-containing slurry through inlet (30), passing mud to an outlet (31) and a cuttings-rich component to the wash tank (11). A skimmer (13) removes wash overflow and a mud and slurry fines raft floated by the agitation, and passes this to a separator (18). Separated wash liquid is aerated and returned by pump (19) to injection points (28, 29) to recycle wash and provide the agitation. An auger (23) operates in a casing (21) opening into the tank (11) and extending upward of the wash tank and having an upper end discharge outlet (38). Additional aeration and agitation air is injected through air injection bars (45).

Abstract: Vessels (10, 11, 12 and 13) are associated with an inlet manifold (14) passing to inlets (16), each controlled by a knifegate valve (17). The lower ends of the pots (10) and (12), and pots (11) and (13), pass material through respective outlet knifegate valves (22) to respective first (23) and second (24) delivery lines. The respective knifegate valves (17) and outlet knifegate valves (22) of pots (10) and (11) on the one hand and pots (12) and (13) on the other, are operable by respective common pneumatic actuators (25). Each pot has an ejector assembly (26) having an upper chamber (28), an air injector nozzle (30), and an accelerator tube (31) to create the venturi function. An air cycling valve (32) transitions the upper chamber (28) between a depressurized space and a pressurized space. The accelerator tube (31) exhausts to a delivery line (23 or 24). Ejector assembly (26) air is supplied via air control valve (35).

Abstract: There is provided sludge extraction apparatus (10) including a collection pipe (13) having a plurality of spaced, a suction pump (23), a suction pipe (15) with an end connected to the suction pump (23) and a suction head assembly (16) connected to the other end and slidable through the collection pipe (13) from an end, the suction head assembly (16) including a leading body portion (17) spaced from and connected to a trailing body portion (21) having an axial bore (19) connected to a suction pipe (15), the leading (17) and trailing (21) body portions substantially occluding the collection pipe (13) in use and defining there between a suction zone (22) of a length selected to open to at least one said opening at selected positions of the suction head assembly along the collection pipe.

Abstract: A pneumatic evacuation pump including: an inlet assembly (10) having an inlet valve (14) interposed between an inlet accepting material (13) from a material supply and a charging port (17) and selectively operable purge air injection means (20) located on the charging port side of said inlet valve; a chamber of selectable length (11) and substantially constant cross section and having a charge end opening to said charging port and a discharge end; and a delivery assembly (12) having a passage opening to said discharge end and extending to a delivery outlet, a delivery valve (24) interposed in said passage between said discharge end and said delivery outlet, a selectively operable, venturi vacuum source (31) opening to said passage between said discharge valve and said discharge end, and selectively operable exhaust air injections means (41) located downstream of said discharge valve and utilizing exhaust air from said venturi; a compressed air supply supplying said venturi and said purge air injection means;

Abstract: Vessels (10, 11, 12 and 13) are associated with an inlet manifold (14) passing to inlets (16), each controlled by a knifegate valve (17). The lower ends of the pots (10) and (12), and pots (11) and (13), pass material through respective outlet knifegate valves (22) to respective first (23) and second (24) delivery lines. The respective knifegate valves (17) and outlet knifegate valves (22) of pots (10) and (11) on the one hand and pots (12) and (13) on the other, are operable by respective common pneumatic actuators (25). Each pot has an ejector assembly (26) having an upper chamber (28), an air injector nozzle (30), and an accelerator tube (31) to create the venturi function. An air cycling valve (32) transitions the upper chamber (28) between a depressurized space and a pressurized space. The accelerator tube (31) exhausts to a delivery line (23 or 24). Ejector assembly (26) air is supplied via air control valve (35).

Abstract: A Pump consisting of a pressure vessel (50), an inlet nozzle (51), an ejector nozzle (52) by which vacuum and pressur are applied, and an outlet nozzle (53). The inlet and outlet nozzles (51, 52) are selectively closed by interconnected knife gate valves, operated in tandem by a pneumatic cylinder whereby when one valve is closed, the other is open an vice-versa. An ejector valve located in the ejector nozzle (52) alternately creates vacuum and generate air flow through the vessel (50). The air from the ejector is introduced into the discharge line after closure of the outlet valve.