Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for removing fluids, particularly entrained and/or adherent fluids, from drill cuttings generated during the well drilling process. A generally cylindrical wire-wrapped screen having a bore therethrough rotates about its longitudinal axis. Suction pressure is applied through the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. As fluid-laden drill cuttings are deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen, fluids are drawn off of the cuttings and evacuated from the inner bore of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen. Solid components of the cuttings remain on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen and eventually roll off the screen. A scraping member is provided to agitate cuttings deposited on the outer surface of the cylindrical wire-wrapped screen.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 23, 2002
Date of Patent:
January 27, 2004
Assignee:
Drill Cuttings Technology, L.L.C.
Inventors:
Owen Thomas Risher, Nolan Joseph Fitch, Michael David Billeaud, David Jon Tilley, Ronald Charles Landry