Abstract: A screen panel assembly includes a screen panel and a raised screen component disposed thereon. The raised screen component includes an inclined screen surface that defines a first plane oriented at a first angle relative to the screen panel and a wedge surface positioned at a back side of the raised screen component. The inclined screen surface has a front edge that is aligned with a top surface of the screen panel and is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the screen panel, the first plane being substantially perpendicular to a displacement vector along which the screen panel assembly is accelerated by a vibratory separation device. The wedge surface is adapted to disrupt a flow path of a flow of a material mixture flowing in a longitudinal direction across the screen panel by redirecting the flow around opposing sides of the raised screen component.

Abstract: A system includes a particulate material sample that contains a fluid medium and a plurality of particles dispersed in the fluid medium. The system further includes a particle analysis apparatus having a sample cell and sample delivery means for delivering the particulate material sample to the sample cell, wherein the particle analysis apparatus is adapted to obtain particle information on at least one particle in that particulate material sample while the at least one particle is in the sample cell. Furthermore, the system also includes fluid manipulation means for manipulating movement of the fluid medium while the particle analysis apparatus is obtaining the particle information on the at least one particle, and a data processing apparatus that is adapted to determine a specific gravity of the at least one particle based on the obtained particle information.

Abstract: A screen panel assembly includes a screen panel and a raised screen component disposed thereon. The raised screen component includes an inclined screen surface that defines a first plane oriented at a first angle relative to the screen panel and a wedge surface positioned at a back side of the raised screen component. The inclined screen surface has a front edge that is aligned with a top surface of the screen panel and is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the screen panel, the first plane being substantially perpendicular to a displacement vector along which the screen panel assembly is accelerated by a vibratory separation device. The wedge surface is adapted to disrupt a flow path of a flow of a material mixture flowing in a longitudinal direction across the screen panel by redirecting the flow around opposing sides of the raised screen component.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body having a central axis, a fluid inlet coupled to the body, the fluid inlet being adapted to receive a flow of a fluid, and a fluid outlet coupled to the body. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are substantially coaxially aligned so as to define a flow axis through the apparatus, and the flow axis is laterally offset from and perpendicular to the central axis of the body. A rotating blade assembly is disposed within said body and includes a plurality of blades, wherein the rotating blade assembly is adapted to be controllably rotated about the central axis so as to control a fluid level of the flow of fluid entering the fluid inlet.

Abstract: A screen panel assembly includes a screen panel and one or more raised screen components, wherein at least one of the raised screen components is disposed on the screen panel. Furthermore, each of the one or more raised screen components includes at least one inclined screen surface that defines a first plane that is oriented at a first angle relative to said screen panel. Additionally, the first plane is substantially aligned with a second plane that is oriented at a second angle relative to a third plane that is perpendicular to a displacement vector along which the screen panel assembly is accelerated by a vibratory separation device.

Abstract: As system for measuring drilling fluid properties includes a capillary rheometer that is adapted to measure viscosity parameters of drilling fluid. The capillary rheometer includes a feed chamber, the feed chamber having a cavity, at least a first drain port for draining fluid out of the cavity, a double wall defining an annulus that opens to the cavity, and a feed port in an outer portion of the double wall that is in fluid communication with the annulus. The capillary rheometer also includes at least a first capillary tube coupled to at least the first drain port. Additionally, the disclosed system further includes a pump that is adapted to pump fluid to the feed port.

Abstract: A shale shaker for separating solids from solids laden drilling fluid is disclosed as having a basket with a scalping screen deck, at least one first screen deck and at least one second screen deck. The basket further may have a flow tray arranged between said scalping screen deck and at least one first screen deck, and a plurality of first ducts and a plurality of second ducts, the plurality of first ducts for directing solids laden drilling fluid to the at least one first screen deck. The second plurality of second ducts are for directing solids laden drilling fluid to said second screen deck.

Abstract: A system includes a particulate material sample that contains a fluid medium and a plurality of particles dispersed in the fluid medium. The system further includes a particle analysis apparatus having a sample cell and sample delivery means for delivering the particulate material sample to the sample cell, wherein the particle analysis apparatus is adapted to obtain particle information on at least one particle in that particulate material sample while the at least one particle is in the sample cell. Furthermore, the system also includes fluid manipulation means for manipulating movement of the fluid medium while the particle analysis apparatus is obtaining the particle information on the at least one particle, and a data processing apparatus that is adapted to determine a specific gravity of the at least one particle based on the obtained particle information.

Abstract: As system for measuring drilling fluid properties includes a capillary rheometer that is adapted to measure viscosity parameters of drilling fluid. The capillary rheometer includes a feed chamber, the feed chamber having a cavity, at least a first drain port for draining fluid out of the cavity, a double wall defining an annulus that opens to the cavity, and a feed port in an outer portion of the double wall that is in fluid communication with the annulus. The capillary rheometer also includes at least a first capillary tube coupled to at least the first drain port. Additionally, the disclosed system further includes a pump that is adapted to pump fluid to the feed port.

Abstract: A screen panel assembly includes a screen panel and one or more raised screen components, wherein at least one of the raised screen components is disposed on the screen panel. Furthermore, each of the one or more raised screen components includes at least one inclined screen surface that defines a first plane that is oriented at a first angle relative to said screen panel. Additionally, the first plane is substantially aligned with a second plane that is oriented at a second angle relative to a third plane that is perpendicular to a displacement vector along which the screen panel assembly is accelerated by a vibratory separation device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body having a central axis, a fluid inlet coupled to the body, the fluid inlet being adapted to receive a flow of a fluid, and a fluid outlet coupled to the body. The fluid inlet and the fluid outlet are substantially coaxially aligned so as to define a flow axis through the apparatus, and the flow axis is laterally offset from and perpendicular to the central axis of the body. A rotating blade assembly is disposed within said body and includes a plurality of blades, wherein the rotating blade assembly is adapted to be controllably rotated about the central axis so as to control a fluid level of the flow of fluid entering the fluid inlet.

Abstract: A screen for a vibratory separator includes at least two layers of screening material, at least one layer of screening material made of a plurality of intersecting wires having a coating containing nickel or chromium. Wires in the screening material including first shute wires and first warp wires at a right angles to each other. The first warp wires at a right angle to first shute wires, the second wires including second shute wires and second warp wires, each of the second shute wires at a right angle to second warp wires, and each of the second warp wires at a right angle to second shute wires. The first warp wires are aligned with second warp wires, and each of the first shute wires are aligned with a second shute wire.

Abstract: Techniques for controlling drilling fluid cleaning apparatus that reclaim lost circulation material from spent drilling fluid are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a tank, a density separation device, and a fluid density control system. The tank holds spent drilling fluid containing drilling fluid, lost circulation material, coarse solids and fine solids. The density separation device is coupled to an outlet of the tank. The density separation device provides an overflow stream and an underflow stream. The overflow stream contains less dense material than the underflow stream. The fluid density control system is configured to adjust the density of the spent drilling fluid provided to the density separation device by recirculating a portion of the underflow stream into the tank.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating a drilling fluid mixture including feeding the drilling fluid mixture to a hydrocyclone (or hydrocyclones) with a flow-volume-adjustable inlet for controlling flow of the drilling fluid mixture into the hydrocyclone(s). This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: Techniques for controlling drilling fluid cleaning apparatus that reclaim lost circulation material from spent drilling fluid are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes a tank, a density separation device, and a fluid density control system. The tank holds spent drilling fluid containing drilling fluid, lost circulation material, coarse solids and fine solids. The density separation device is coupled to an outlet of the tank. The density separation device provides an overflow stream and an underflow stream. The overflow stream contains less dense material than the underflow stream. The fluid density control system is configured to adjust the density of the spent drilling fluid provided to the density separation device by recirculating a portion of the underflow stream into the tank.

Abstract: A screen for a vibratory separator, the screen including at least two layers of screening material, including a first layer and a second layer, the first layer made of a plurality of intersecting first wires, the second layer made of a plurality of intersecting second wires, the first wires including first shute wires and first warp wires, the second wires including second shute wires and second warp wires, certain of the first warp wires aligned with a second warp wire, and/or certain of the first shute wires aligned with a second shute wire. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: A shale shaker for separating solids from solids laden drilling fluid is disclosed as having a basket with a scalping screen deck, at least one first screen deck and at least one second screen deck. The basket further may have a flow tray arranged between said scalping screen deck and at least one first screen deck, and a plurality of first ducts and a plurality of second ducts, the plurality of first ducts for directing solids laden drilling fluid to the at least one first screen deck. The second plurality of second ducts are for directing solids laden drilling fluid to said second screen deck.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for treating a drilling fluid mixture including feeding the drilling fluid mixture to a hydrocyclone (or hydrocyclones) with a flow-volume-adjustable inlet for controlling flow of the drilling fluid mixture into the hydrocyclone(s). This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A system for recovering lost circulation material from spent drilling fluid, the spent drilling fluid containing lost circulation material, drilling fluid, and undesirable solids, the system having alternating separation apparatuses, including sizing apparatus, destiny/shear separation apparatus, and sizing apparatus; and methods for using such a system.

Abstract: A system for recovering lost circulation material from spent drilling fluid, the spent drilling fluid containing lost circulation material, drilling fluid, and undesirable solids, the system having alternating separation apparatuses, including sizing apparatus, density/shear separation apparatus, and sizing apparatus; and methods for using such a system.