Abstract: A method and system for removing solid materials from an oil production tank containing a liquid hydrocarbon portion and a solid portion is provided. The system includes an intake for drawing off a portion of the liquid hydrocarbon and a solid portions from the tank. A rotational particle separator receives the portion of the liquid hydrocarbon and the solid portions from the intake. A collector is provided for collecting the separated solid portion, and a return returns the separated liquid hydrocarbon portion to the tank. The system and method avoid the wasteful disposal of oil with the solid material from the oil production tank.

Abstract: In a drilling operation, where used drilling fluid is screened into a substantially solid portion and a substantially liquid drilling fluid and the drilling fluid is thereafter stored in a storage tank. A method and apparatus for of separating solids from liquids. The apparatus comprises a recirculation tank having a second liquid for receiving the solid portion, and a first rotational particle separator for separating the solid portion from the second liquid. The apparatus further includes a pump for pumping the solid portion and the second liquid from the recirculation tank to the first rotational particle separator and a bin region to receive and retain the separated solids from the first rotational particle separator, wherein the separated second liquid is returned to the recirculation tank.

Abstract: A method and a settling tank for use in separating a solids containing fluid, such as a drilling fluid. The settling tank includes a settling compartment comprised of an inlet and an upper outlet so that the fluid passes through the settling compartment generally in a first direction from the inlet toward the upper outlet. Further, a backwash fluid source directs a backwash fluid within the settling compartment generally in a second direction which is substantially opposite to the first direction. The method includes the steps of passing the fluid through the settling compartment generally in the first direction and directing the backwash fluid within the settling compartment generally in the second direction. Finally, a method is also provided for clarfying a solids containing fluid using a settling tank, wherein the settling tank is comprised of at least three isolatable settling compartments connected in series.

Abstract: A transportable drilling fluid cleaning system for removing solids from drilling fluid at a drill site comprises a platform for transporting the system. A bin region on the platform retains solids from the drilling fluid. A settling tank on the platform separates the drilling fluid into an upper fluid fraction having a reduced concentration of solids and a lower solids fraction having a higher concentration of solids as the drilling fluid flows from an inlet chamber for receiving drilling fluid to at least one other chamber. A stand on the platform supports at least one centrifuge for separating the solids from the drilling fluid, the stand being movable between stored and operating positions. The system provides a self-contained unit that is easily transportable on a flat bed truck to provide all the ancillary equipment necessary for solids control at the drill site.

Abstract: A transportable drilling fluid cleaning system for removing solids from drilling fluid at a drill site comprises a platform for transporting the cleaning system to a drill site. A bin region on the platform retains solids from the drilling fluid. A settling tank on the platform has an inlet chamber to receive drilling fluid and at least one other chamber. The settling tank acts to separate the drilling fluids into an upper fluid fraction having a reduced concentration of solids and a lower solids fraction having a higher concentration of solids as the drilling fluid flows from the inlet chamber to at least one other chamber. There is a stand on the platform to support at least one centrifuge for separating the solids from the drilling fluid. The stand is movable between a stored position during transport of the platform and an operating position. A flocculent source can be provided on the platform for adding a flocculating agent to the drilling fluid to promote removal of solids from the drilling fluid.