Abstract: This disclosure addresses the problem of preventing sediment laden water (“sediment slurry”) resulting from hydraulic collection of nodules from the seabed from entering the riser and lift system that carries the nodules to the surface as a slurry. An example includes collecting nodules from the seabed by hydraulic suction, separating the nodules utilizing an inverse hydrocyclone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a slurry from the surface of the subsea floor, separating that slurry into multiple slurries, and pumping the desired slurry to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of gas and liquid-solid slurry under pressure, and passage of the liquid-solid slurry to an atmospheric discharge.

Abstract: A centrifuge system includes a centrifuge and a feed line fluidly connected to centrifuge with the centrifuge driven by a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system includes an electric motor driving a hydraulic pump connected to a fluid reservoir with the hydraulic pump providing hydraulic fluid to one or more hydraulic motors which in turn rotate the centrifuge. The system includes a pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressure and a speed sensor for measuring the rotational speed of the centrifuge. A controller can be in communication with the hydraulic system and the sensors and can receive measurements from the sensors and adjust the pressure of hydraulic fluid flowing to the one or more hydraulic motors to maintain a rotational speed of the centrifuge based on differing loads. The system can include one or more valves, controlled by the controller, which can also adjust the hydraulic pressure of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a slurry from the surface of the subsea floor, separating that slurry into multiple slurries, and pumping the desired slurry to the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of gas and liquid-solid slurry under pressure, and passage of the liquid-solid slurry to an atmospheric discharge.

Abstract: A vertical cuttings dryer (“VCD”) can be used to separate solid particulate from entrained liquid. In some examples, the VCD includes a screen mounted coaxially with an internal wiper housing that carriers a wiper sweeping out an annular space between the screen and wiper housing. The VCD may have a first motor connected through drive shaft to the screen and a second motor connect through a separate drive shaft to the wiper housing. A controller can independently control the speed of the first motor and the second motor to independently a magnitude of centrifugal force applied to material being processed as well as a residence time of the material being processed in the annular space.

Abstract: A shale shaker that includes a base, a basket, a vibrator interconnected with the basket, and two shaker screens releasably mounted on the basket, with the first shaker screen having a discharge end, with the second screen having a first end with a seal abutted thereto, with the second screen positioned such that the seal is positioned below the first shaker screen, and positioned so that discharge from the first screen will not discharge onto the seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering and concentrating rare earth elements from seabed sediment deposits using seabed excavators and shipboard processing systems.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering and concentrating rare earth elements from seabed sediment deposits using seabed excavators and shipboard processing systems.

Abstract: A vertical cuttings dryer (“VCD”) can be used to separate solid particulate from entrained liquid. In some examples, the VCD includes a screen mounted coaxially with an internal wiper housing that carriers a wiper sweeping out an annular space between the screen and wiper housing. The VCD may have a first motor connected through drive shaft to the screen and a second motor connect through a separate drive shaft to the wiper housing. A controller can independently control the speed of the first motor and the second motor to independently a magnitude of centrifugal force applied to material being processed as well as a residence time of the material being processed in the annular space.

Abstract: A shale shaker that includes a base, a basket, a vibrator interconnected with the basket, and two shaker screens releasably mounted on the basket, with the first shaker screen having a discharge end, with the second screen having a first end with a seal abutted thereto, with the second screen positioned such that the seal is positioned below the first shaker screen, and positioned so that discharge from the first screen will not discharge onto the seal.

Abstract: A shaker screen comprises a frame that has a plurality of opposing sides. The shaker screen also comprises a screen assembly attached to the frame. In addition, each side of the shaker screen comprises a tubular member having an inner edge, an outer edge, and defining a central axis. Further, a horizontal plane intersects the central axis, the outer edge, and the inner edge of each side.

Abstract: A shaker screen comprises a frame that has a plurality of opposing sides. The shaker screen also comprises a screen assembly attached to the frame. In addition, each side of the shaker screen comprises a tubular member having an inner edge, an outer edge, and defining a central axis. Further, a horizontal plane intersects the central axis, the outer edge, and the inner edge of each side.