Abstract: Gas laden drilling mud is effectively handled by a centrifugal pump system which allows the flow of released gases from the drilling mud to move in the same axial direction as the mud flow through the pump; whereupon the released gases may be conducted to safe disposal areas. A hollow-centered impeller is driven by a hollow shaft through which the gases may be withdrawn. A prerotation chamber and impeller shroud below the impeller admit drilling mud into the impeller housing, providing the drilling mud with initial rotational velocity through a reduced radius, and further establishing a central opening through which gases escaping from the drilling mud will be released due to centrifugal forces on the mud. Released gases may then be removed through the central passage in the hollow shaft, which shaft may be provided with external means for preventing upward flow of fluid therearound.

Abstract: A unique degasifying system for removing entrapped gas bubbles from a viscous drilling fluid utilizes a hollow shaft pump having a hollow impeller, with a prerotation chamber and impeller shroud below the impeller; a spray vessel having a continuous sheet radial spray head and vacuum creating means therein; a vacuum conduit connecting the vacuum creating means to the hollow shaft of the pump; and an enclosed degasifying trough connected to the spray vessel and having fluidic seal means at each end, with a gas exhaust conduit connected thereto.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for removing gas from drilling mud without allowing the gas to escape to the atmosphere before the gas is treated to prevent contamination. The system includes a mud-gas separator vessel with a drilling mud inlet, means for maintaining a minimum mud level in said mud-gas separator vessel, a separator vessel gas outlet, and a separator vessel drilling mud outlet. A degassing means includes a drilling mud inlet located in a position higher than said minimum mud level. Enclosed conduit means connects the separator vessel drilling mud outlet to said degassing means drilling mud inlet.