Abstract: A method and system for collecting, defluidizing and disposing of oil and gas well drill cuttings is disclosed including a system consisting primarily of a separation tank assembly, a vacuum pump assembly, a solids collection box and a liquids collection tank. The seperating tank having an upper slurry chamber, for recieving cuttings via suction from a shaker screen trough via a suction line, and a lower liquid chamber having a strainer therein, for collecting liquids compressed from the drill cuttings. A helical conveyor screw is passed through the upper slurry chamber and the strainer located in the lower liquid chamber. An adjustable plug is provided to restrict the cuttings flow through the strainer discharge opening. When cutting are forced from the upper slurry chamber via the helical conveyor screw into the strainer against the preset tension of the adjustable plug, fluids are forced through the sides of the strainer into the lower liquid chamber where they are pumped out to a liquids collection tank.

Abstract: A Kelly Mud Saver Valve Sub is provided having a tubular valve body with an annular seat fixed in the interior of the valve body. A tubular closure member is reciprocally mounted within the valve body, and is biased with a helical spring into a closing relationship with the annular seat. Unidirectional seals are provided around the closure member to form a chamber in which the spring is retained, the unidirectional seals permitting fluid only to leave the chamber but not enter it. Spacer rings are provided at the downhole end of the chamber to prevent downhole pressure from being communicated past the spacer rings. The closure member in the valve accordingly opens solidly under the force of hydraulic pressure since the pressure acts against a larger area of the uphole end of the closure member than of the downhole end.