Abstract: An improved process for removing dissolved metals from waste water using a recycle high density sludge is described. Specifically, the process comprises the steps of: (1) treating waste water containing dissolved metals with a recycle stream containing alkaline surface active recycle particles to precipitate the dissolved metals on the surface of the recycle particles; (2) treating a portion of the treated waste water containing metal precipitate solids with an alkaline reagent to form alkaline surface active recycle particles; (3) recycling the alkaline treated stream containing the alkaline surface active particles; and (4) separating the portion of the stream from step (1) not treated with alkaline reagent into a water component which is free of dissolved metals and solids and a sludge component which contains solids.

Abstract: Solid lubricating particles such as spherical plastic beads which are useful in drilling operations are separated from drill cuttings by (1) depositing a mixture of the particles and cuttings on a reciprocating deck which operates in a manner such that the mixture moves in one direction across the deck and (2) passing a wash stream across the mixture in a second direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of the mixture flow. The wash stream causes the solid lubricating particles to move in the second direction at a rate significantly greater than the drill cuttings. The lubricating particles are readily recovered from the drill cuttings for reuse in the drilling operation.