Abstract: A method for treating drilling mud includes directing a first flow portion of a flow of drilling mud to a decanter centrifuge, directing a second flow portion of the flow of drilling mud to a solids particle recovery hopper, and separating an underflow from the first flow portion with the decanter centrifuge, wherein the underflow includes first solids particles having a first density. The underflow is directed to the solids particle recovery hopper, the underflow is mixed with the second flow portion in the solids particle recovery hopper, and a flow of the mixed underflow and second flow portion is directed from the solids particle recovery hopper to an active mud tank.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.

Abstract: A method for treating drilling mud includes directing a first flow portion of a flow of drilling mud to a decanter centrifuge, directing a second flow portion of the flow of drilling mud to a solids particle recovery hopper, and separating an underflow from the first flow portion with the decanter centrifuge, wherein the underflow includes first solids particles having a first density. The underflow is directed to the solids particle recovery hopper, the underflow is mixed with the second flow portion in the solids particle recovery hopper, and a flow of the mixed underflow and second flow portion is directed from the solids particle recovery hopper to an active mud tank.

Abstract: A barite recovery hopper includes a shell having an open top, wherein the barite recovery hopper is adapted to receive a flow of recovered barite particles from a solids discharge chute of a decanter centrifuge through the open top of the shell. An inlet is adapted to receive a flow of drilling mud from a mud tank. A hopper bypass gate is adapted to seal a bottom opening of the shell when the hopper bypass gate is in a closed position during a barite recovery operation, and to allow collection of at least a portion of the recovered barite particles for mixture, inside of the barite recovery hopper, with the flow of drilling mud received through the inlet when the hopper bypass gate is in the closed position. An outlet is adapted to discharge a flow of the recovered barite particle/drilling mud mixture to the mud tank.

Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.

Abstract: A barite recovery hopper includes a shell having an open top, wherein the barite recovery hopper is adapted to receive a flow of recovered barite particles from a solids discharge chute of a decanter centrifuge through the open top of the shell. An inlet is adapted to receive a flow of drilling mud from a mud tank. A hopper bypass gate is adapted to seal a bottom opening of the shell when the hopper bypass gate is in a closed position during a barite recovery operation, and to allow collection of at least a portion of the recovered barite particles for mixture, inside of the barite recovery hopper, with the flow of drilling mud received through the inlet when the hopper bypass gate is in the closed position. An outlet is adapted to discharge a flow of the recovered barite particle/drilling mud mixture to the mud tank.