DRILLING MUD CLEANING AND RECIRCULATING SYSTEM AND VEHICLE FORMED THEREWITH

Abstract

A drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus includes a vehicle that has a platform mounted with a chassis, and a drilling mud processor for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a generator, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted with the platform. The drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet, the spoil dump bed is coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud, and the generator is coupled to power the drilling mud processor.

Description

This application is a nonprovisional of U.S. provisional patent application Serial Number 61673578, filed Jul. 19, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to drilling, to drilling mud used in drilling operations, and to apparatus and methods for cleaning dirty drilling mud at drilling sites for reuse in drilling operations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drilling mud, also known as drilling fluid, is a product used in the process of drilling deep vertical and horizontal boreholes. These holes may be drilled for oil and gas extraction, core sampling, utility installation, and a wide variety of other reasons. The mud can be an integral part of the drilling process, serving a number of functions.

One of the most critical roles of this mud is as a lubricant. Drilling generates tremendous friction, which can damage the drill or the formation being drilled. Drilling mud cuts down on the friction, lowering the heat of drilling and reducing the risk of friction-related complications. The mud also acts as a carrier for the materials being drilled, with material becoming suspended in the mud and then being carried up the drill to the surface.

Using this substance protects the stability of a borehole by controlling variables such as friction and pressure. Different muds are needed for different circumstances, and the selection and formulation of mud is managed by a mud engineer. This engineer determines the correct viscosity level for the mud, and adjusts factors such as its density as well. Water, oil, and gas-based muds can all be used, with products ranging from true mud made with materials like bentonite clays to synthetic drilling fluid.

Drilling mud is recirculated throughout the drilling process. As it rises to the surface, according to conventional techniques it passes through screens that trap the materials from the borehole, before being cycled back into the system that delivers mud to the head of the drill bit. This recirculation process is designed to cut down on waste by reusing as much mud as possible. Depending on the materials being drilled, several screens are often used to trap the materials, and sometimes the materials themselves are also coated in mud, which means that they will need to be cleaned even after filtration.

The use of screens to separate debris from drilling mud is not entirely acceptable. Some debris contaminating the drilling mud is so fine that the screens are unable to remove the debris without impeding the recirculating drilling mud. Erecting on-site screens is also tedious and cumbersome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus includes a vehicle having a platform mounted with a chassis, and a drilling mud processor for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a generator, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted with the platform. The drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet. The spoil dump bed is coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud. The generator is coupled to power the drilling mud processor. The drilling mud processor and the generator are operated with the use of operator controls mounted with the platform. The spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed. The platform has a leading end and a trailing end, the generator is located near the leading end, the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end, the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed, and the spoil dump bed is to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed. A drive assembly is coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump bed between the storage and dumped positions. The vehicle is a motorized wheeled vehicle having an operator cab mounted with the chassis, the leading end of the platform is located forward toward the operator cab, and the trailing end of the of platform is located rearward away from the operator cab.

According to the principle of the invention, a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus includes a drilling mud processor for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a generator, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, are all mounted to a platform. The drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet. The spoil dump bed is coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud. The generator is coupled to power the drilling mud processor. The drilling mud processor and the generator are operated with the use of operator controls mounted with the platform. The spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed. The platform has a leading end and a trailing end, the generator is located near the leading end, the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end, the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed, and the spoil dump bed is to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed. A drive assembly is coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump bed between the storage and dumped positions.

According to the principle of the invention, a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus includes a vehicle having a platform mounted with a chassis, and a drilling mud processor for mixing clean drilling mud and for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a premixer, a generator, a water holding reservoir, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted with the platform. The premixer is for premixing drilling mud components and applying premixed drilling mud components to the drilling mud processor, the drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive water from the water holding reservoir for mixing with premixed drilling mud components to form drilling mud for use in drilling operations. The drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet. The spoil dump bed is coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud, and the generator is coupled to power the drilling mud processor and the premixer. The drilling mud processor, the premixer, and the generator are operated with the use of operator controls mounted with the platform. An intake manifold is coupled to deliver water to the water holding reservoir. The spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed. The platform has a leading end and a trailing end, the generator is located near the leading end, the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end, the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed, and the spoil dump bed is to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed. A drive assembly is coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump between the holding and dumped positions. The vehicle is a motorized wheeled vehicle having an operator cab mounted with the chassis, the leading end of the platform is located forward toward the operator cab, and the trailing end of the of platform is located rearward away from the operator cab.

According to the principle of the invention, a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus includes a drilling mud processor for mixing clean drilling mud and for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a premixer, a generator, a water holding reservoir, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, are all mounted with a platform. The premixer is for premixing drilling mud components and applying premixed drilling mud components to the drilling mud processor. The drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive water from the water holding reservoir for mixing with premixed drilling mud components to form drilling mud for use in drilling operations. The drilling mud processor is coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet. The spoil dump bed is coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud. The generator is coupled to power the drilling mud processor and the premixer. The drilling mud processor, the premixer, and the generator are operated with the use of operator controls mounted with the platform. An intake manifold is coupled to deliver water to the water holding reservoir. The spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed. The platform has a leading end and a trailing end, the generator is located near the leading end, the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end, the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed, and the spoil dump bed is to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed. A drive assembly is coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump between the holding and dumped positions.

Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated apparatus and method embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a curb-side elevation view of a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus including a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system mounted with a platform that, in turn, is mounted with a chassis of a vehicle, the drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system includes a water reservoir underlying a drilling mud processor, a generator, and a spoil dump bed shown as it would appear in a storage position in preparation for receiving debris generated by the drilling mud processor in the cleaning of drilling mud;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmented view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a street-side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmented view of the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a highly generalized schematic representation of the drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system first illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmented view of the drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system of FIG. 1 illustrating operator controls used to operate the drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmented view of the drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system of FIG. 1 illustrating a premixer of the drilling mud processor;

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and further illustrating a pump coupled in fluid communication between a drilling mud pump applied to drilling mud of a drilling site and a dirty drilling mud inlet of the drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system;

FIG. 9 is a highly generalized rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 illustrating the spoil dump bed as it would appear in a dumped position for ejecting debris therefrom; and

FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective view of the spoil dump bed of FIG. 9 shown as it would appear in the dumped position, and a drive assembly coupled to the spoil dump bed for moving the spoil dump bed from the storage position as in FIG. 1 to the dumped position as in FIGS. 9 and 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIGS. 1-4 in which there is seen a drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus denoted generally at 20. Apparatus 20 includes drilling mud cleaning and recirculating system 21, and vehicle 22. Vehicle 22 includes chassis 23 having forward or upstream end 24 and rearward or downstream end 25, curb or starboard side 26 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, street or port side 27 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and cab 28 positioned at forward or upstream end 24 where an operator sits. Vehicle 22 is a conventional motorized wheeled vehicle that is operated and driven by an operator that sits in cab 28. In this embodiment, vehicle 22 is a conventional 2½ ton, three-axle cargo truck that in use is driven about from drilling site to drilling site for drilling mud cleaning and recirculation purposes with the use of system 21. Other like or similar vehicles can be used.

System 21 is self-contained in that it is complete in itself, according to the principle of the invention. System 21 is mounted with chassis 23 behind cab 28, and system 21 is transported from drilling site to drilling site via vehicle 22. System 21 consists of a body or platform 40 mounted with chassis 23 behind cab 28, and drilling mud processor 41, premixer 42, generator 43, water holding reservoir 44, spoil dump bed 45, dirty drilling mud inlet 46, and, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, clean drilling mud outlet 47, all of which are mounted firmly in place with platform 40, such as by welding, brackets, fasteners, couplings, or the like. With additional reference to FIG. 5, which is a highly generalized schematic representation of system 21 illustrating processor 41, premixer 42, generator 43, reservoir 44, spoil dump bed 45, dirty drilling mud inlet 46, and clean drilling mud outlet 47, processor 41 is for cleaning and recirculating dirty drilling mud relative to a drilling site, and for mixing clean drilling mud for application to a drilling site in preparation for drilling operations. Premixer 42 is part of processor 41, and is for receiving and premixing drilling mud components, such as natural and/or synthetic drilling mud components and additives, and applying the premixed drilling mud components to processor 41.

Processor 41 is coupled in fluid communication via plumbing 50 to receive water from reservoir 44 for mixing with premixed drilling mud components to form drilling mud for use in drilling operations, for adding moisture to drilling mud, and for cleaning processor 41, such as upon completion of a drilling operation or cycle. Processor 41 is also coupled in fluid communication to dirty drilling mud inlet 46 via plumbing 51 to receive dirty drilling mud from dirty drilling mud inlet 46 for cleaning, and is coupled in fluid communication to clean drilling mud outlet 47 via plumbing 52 to deliver clean drilling mud to clean drilling mud outlet 47 for application to a drilling site during drilling operations or in preparation for commencing drilling operations. Plumbing 50, plumbing 51, and plumbing 52 are conventional and well-known by the skilled plumber, each consisting of a system of one or more pipes and other apparatus, such as one or more pumps, for conveying fluid. Dirty drilling mud inlet 46 is a 3″ or 2″ cam-lock, and clean drilling mud outlet 47 is a 3″ cam-lock. Spoil dump bed 45 is coupled to receive debris/cuttings generated by processor 41 from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud by processor 41, and generator 43 is coupled to power system 21 components, including processor 41 and premixer 42 and the various associated switches and electrical components. Operator controls 49 used to operate system 21 are mounted with platform 40.

Platform 40 is formed of reinforced steel plates and supports and has a leading end 40A directed forward toward the back of cab 28, and extends rearwardly along the length of chassis 23 to an opposed trailing end at downstream end 25 of chassis 23. Platform 40 is set atop chassis 23. Platform 40 is conventionally married 23 to chassis 23, such as with welding, brackets, couplings, fittings, and/or fasteners, or the like, so as to securely and rigidly connect/affix platform 40, and thus system 21, to chassis 23. Automotive lighting, such a brake lights 60, blinker lights 61, and caution-and-warning lights 62, as a matter of example, are formed in trailing end 40B of platform 40. An electrical harness (not shown) of system 21 is conventionally plugged into the corresponding electrical harness of vehicle 22 to electrically connect the automotive lighting in trailing end 40B of platform 40 for operating said automotive lighting in the operation of vehicle 22.

Processor 41, premixer 42, generator 43, spoil dump bed 45, and operator controls 49 are set atop platform 40, and reservoir 44 is formed in platform 40 under processor 41, premixer 42, and generator 43. Reservoir 44 has a 1000 gallon capacity in this embodiment as a matter of example, and can consist of a single chamber or receptacle or multiple chambers or receptacles. In the present embodiment, reservoir 44 consists of a forward chamber or receptacle denoted at 44A toward leading end 40A of platform 40, and a rearward chamber or receptacle 44B behind forward chamber or receptacle 44A. In this embodiment, forward chamber or receptacle denoted at 44A has a 200 gallon capacity, and rearward chamber or receptacle 44B behind forward chamber or receptacle 44A has an 800 gallon capacity, and this can be reversed if so desired and other capacities can be used as well without departing from the invention. Chambers 44A and 44B cooperative to form reservoir 44, and is baffled being equipped with baffles to restrain sloshing. Reservoir 44 is cathodic protected for corrosion control, and is configured with stand overflow vents. Utility covers to chambers 44A and 44B of reservoir 44 may be provided for providing access to chambers 44A and 44B for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance purposes.

An inlet or intake manifold 56 in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 is coupled in fluid communication to deliver water to chambers 44A and 44B of reservoir 44. Intake manifold 56 consists of a conduit 57 having loading port 58 and valves 59A and 59B on either side of loading port 58. After coupling a fluid line to loading port 58, valve 59A can be opened to supply replenishing water under pressure to chamber 44A, and valve 59B may be opened to supply replenishing water under pressure to chamber 44B. Valves 59A and 59B may each be closed with chambers 44A and 44B, respectively, are filled to the desired or the required level, whether at a drilling site or at a staging area in preparation for driving vehicle 22 to a drilling site.

Generator 43 is located near leading end 40A of platform 40 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 behind cab 28 as shown in FIGS. 1-4, operator controls 49 are located along the street side 27 of vehicle 22 beside generator 43, spoil dump bed 45 is located near trailing end 40B of platform 40, and processor 41 and premixer 42 are located between generator 43 and spoil dump bed 45. Premixer 42 is located between processor 41 and generator 43 for convenient worker access. A raised framework, railing, or scaffold 70, shown best in FIGS. 1-4, is formed with platform 40 around processor 41, premixer 42 and generator 43 for holding workers and for worker safety. Scaffold 70 is welded in place to platform 40, and in an alternate embodiment may be releasably secured in place with removable fasteners, such as nut-and-bolt fasteners. A ladder 71 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in FIG. 1 is mounted with platform 40 between leading and trailing ends 40A and 40B on curb side 26, and extends downwardly from platform 40 toward the ground so as to be available for workers to climb up and down from platform 40 from curb side 26 of vehicle 22 as needed in the operation of system 21 and for accessing operator controls 49. Once on platform 40, workers can move about around the system 21 equipment for operation and maintenance purposes. Ladder 71 can be a fixed ladder, or mounted to platform 40 for movement, such as with a pivot mount, between raised and locked positions for storage during transport and then lowered for use by workers to climb up and down from platform 40. Ladder 71 is positioned at curb side 26 of vehicle 22, and may be positioned at street side 27 of vehicle 22 in an alternate embodiment.

Processor 41 and premixer 42 are each known in the art. In this embodiment, processor 41 is a known drilling mud mixing, cleaning, and recirculating system, and premixer 42 is a known mixing apparatus for receiving and premixing drilling mud components, including natural and/or synthetic drilling mud components and additives. Processor 41 and premixer 42 are each designed and sold by Mud Technology International, Inc., have offices at 2610 Hwy 31 W, Athens, Tex. 75751. Processor 41 has the usual and well-known pumps for pumping in dirty drilling mud to be cleaned through plumbing 51 via dirty drilling mud inlet 46 and for pumping out clean drilling mud clean drilling mud to outlet 47 via plumbing 52 for application to a drilling site, an 8.4 sq. ft. shaker, an 8.4 sq. ft. desilter, cones with 20 micron cut points, for interchangeable pretension screen, adjustable shaker legs, and a 100 gals./min. cleaning capacity with a 600 gallon total capacity split in half to designate a dirty and clean side and designed with removable lids as to transport fluid from job-site to job-site. Generator 43 is also well-known, and in this embodiment is a conventional and readily available 480 volt, three phase diesel generator. Generator 43 powers system 21 components. Using techniques well-known to the skilled electrician, generator 43 is electrically connected via conventional electrical wiring/cabling to power processor 41 and premixer 42 and operator controls 49, and operator controls 49 are, in turn, coupled conventionally in electrical signal communication with conventional electrical wiring/connections for operating processor 41 for drilling mud cleaning and mixing purposes, for operating premixer 42 for premixing drilling mud components and applying premixed drilling mud components to processor 41, and for increasing and decreasing the operating parameters of generator 43. An ON/OFF switch 80 at curb side 26 of platform 40 near leading end 40A is used to turn generator 430N and OFF. Upon turning generator ON, processor 41, premixer 42, and operator controls 49 are powered by generator 43 in preparation for use of system 21 for drilling mud cleaning and recirculation purposes.

Spoil dump bed 45 is a large, steel-reinforced, open top container and is mounted to platform 40 for movement between a storage position extending upright to receive debris from processor 41 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 8, and a dumped position tilted downwardly as in FIGS. 9 and 10 and as indicated by phantom outline in FIG. 5 to eject debris from spoil dump bed 45. In the preferred embodiment, spoil dump bed 45 has a 4.5 yard containment volume and is located near trailing end 40B of platform 40 so as to be capable of ejecting debris from trailing end 40B of platform 40 in the dumped position of spoil dump bed 45. Dump bed 45 has a rear gate 45A that closes as shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 8-10 to contain debris, and an open position as shown in phantom outline in FIG. 5 for dumping the contents of dump bed 45 at a suitable dump site. Latches 45B formed on either side of gate 45A are used to lock gate 45A in its closed position, and when released allow gate 45A to open, as shown in phantom outline in FIG. 5. Gate 45A is preferably a sealed gate to provide fluid containment in dump bed 45.

Looking to FIG. 5, spoil dump bed 45 is mounted for pivotal movement between its storage position as in FIGS. 1-4 and 5 and its dumped position as in FIGS. 9 and 10 at trailing end 40B of platform 40 with a conventional pivot or pivot mount 84. Looking to FIG. 10, a drive assembly 85 is coupled between spoil dump bed 45 and platform 40 for moving spoil dump bed between the storage position as in FIGS. 1-4 and 5 and the dumped position as in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this embodiment, drive assembly 85 is a conventional hydraulic cylinder assembly consisting of a cylinder 86 mounted with platform 40 and operating rod 87 mounted with the underside of spoil dump bed 45 and mounted partially within cylinder 86 for movement in reciprocal directions between retracted and extended orientations, whereby the retracted position of operating rod 87 corresponds to the storage position of spoil dump bed 45, and the extended orientation of operating rod 87 corresponds to the dumped position of spoil dump bed 45. The described cylinder assembly is electric over hydraulic cylinder operated powered by generator 43 via conventional electrical wiring, and is operated via dump controls 88 in FIGS. 3, 4, and 10 located on starboard side 27 of platform 40 near the front of spoil dump bed 45. In an alternate embodiment, the described cylinder assembly can be powered by the onboard 12 volt vehicle 22 power.

Vehicle 22 is a mobile platform capable of driven about for transporting system 21 from drilling site to drilling site for drilling mud cleaning and recirculation purposes. In use, vehicle 22 is driven to a drilling site 90 as in FIG. 4 and a conduit 91 is coupled in fluid communication between a drilling mud pump 94 suspended in drilling mud 95 from a tripod framework 96. Drilling mud pump 94 is an entirely conventional 3-hp electric submergible pump, and in this embodiment is coupled to be powered by generator 43 (not shown in FIG. 8) via electrical cable 97 electrically connected between generator 43 (not shown in FIG. 8) and drilling mud pump 94. Generator 43 is turned ON and processor 41 is activated via operator controls 49. As drilling commences, drilling mud 95 from drilling site 90 is pumped to dirty drilling mud inlet 46 and through plumbing 51 from dirty drilling mud inlet 46 to processor 46 where the dirty drilling mud extracted from drilling site 90 is cleaned, namely, rid of cuttings, sand, and other debris. After the dirty drilling mud runs through processor 41 and is cleaned, processor 41 pumps the clean drilling mud to ad through plumbing 52 to clean drilling mud outlet 47, and it is there that it is ejected and returned to drilling site 90 for reuse in the drilling operation. The drilling mud from drilling site 90 is continuously recirculated through processor 41 for cleaning during the drilling process. This preserves the drilling mud and eliminates waste, reduces drilling down time, and allows for continuous drilling operations. Although not shown a conduit coupled between drilling site 90 and clean drilling mud outlet 47 applies the cleaned drilling mud to drilling site 90 from clean drilling mud outlet 47. During a drilling operation, this process continues so as to continuously recirculate drilling mud to and from drilling site 90 for continuous, uninterrupted drilling. The drilling operations can vary, and may be horizontal directional drilling, downhole oil drilling, downhole water well drilling, geotechnical drilling, etc.

Plumbing 50 includes conventional fluid pump 50A shown in FIGS. 1-5. Operator controls 49 are, in turn, coupled conventionally in electrical signal communication with conventional electrical wiring/connections for operating processor fluid pump 50A for pumping water to processor 41 from reservoir 44. During a drilling operation, fluid pump 50A may be periodically activated via operating controls 49 to add water to processor 41 when necessary to mix with the drilling mud if it becomes too dry.

Processor 41 may be used to develop fresh drilling mud for application to a drilling site, such as drilling site 90 in FIG. 8. To add or resupply fresh drilling mud to a drilling site, fresh drilling mud components, such as natural and/or synthetic components and additives, are applied to premixer 42.

In a particular example, 600 gallons of water is transferred to processor 41 from reservoir 44, and bentonite and other drilling mud additives/components are added to processor 41 via premixer 42, which are then mixed by processor 41 to produce 600 gallons of fresh drilling mud, which may be pumped to clean drilling mud outlet 47 through plumbing 52 for application to a drilling site.

Premixer 42 is activated via operator controls 49 to premix the fresh drilling mud components, and to apply the premixed fresh drilling mud components to processor 41. Fluid pump 50A is activated via operating controls 49 to add water to processor 41, which is mixed with the premixed drilling mud components to form fresh drilling mud, which is pumped by processor 41 through plumbing 52 to clean drilling mud outlet 47 for application to a drilling site for use in a drilling operation.

Upon completion of a drilling operation, conduit 91 and pump 94 are detached and cleaned and stored, whether on vehicle 22 or elsewhere. For convenient storage, platform 40 may be configured with storage lockers for storing conduit, pumps, tools, clothing, and other equipment. As a matter of example in FIGS. 1-5, a storage locker 100 is formed on curb side 26 and street side 27 of platform 40 at leading end 40A of platform, which are used to store equipment. Although system 21 includes two storage lockers 100, less or more can be incorporated as may be desired without departing from the invention. Clean or cleaned drilling mud may be retained in processor 41 for a subsequent drilling operation and made road worthy by the installation of tank lids within the top section of the tank allowing a full tank of mud to be transported from job site to job site. In the alternative, processor 41 may be cleaned in preparation for storage or transport to a new drilling site.

To clean processor 41, processor 41 is operated to empty it of drilling mud, fluid pump 50A is activated via operator controls 49 to supply cleansing water to processor 41 for cleaning purposes, and processor 41 is activated via operating controls 49, which, churns the cleansing water and flushes it through processor 41 for cleaning, and which then pumps the cleansing water through plumbing 52 to clean drilling mud outlet 47, where it is ejected onto the ground or other deposit or waste site.

Spoil dump bed 45 is located at trailing end 40B of platform 40 behind processor 41 and is in the storage position during processor 41 operation, whereby debris, such as cuttings, sand, and other debris, generated by processor 41 is dumped rearwardly from processor 41 into spoil dump bed 45 in the direction of arrowed line A in FIG. 5 where it is collected and held until it is later dumped at a suitable dump site simply by actuating drive assembly 85 with dump controls 88 illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 10. And so spoil dump bed 45 is movable between the storage position to receive debris from processor 41, debris generated by processor 41 from the cleaning of drilling mud, and the dump or dumped position to eject debris therefrom from trailing end 40B of platform 40 from downstream end 25 of chassis 23 of vehicle 22. Gate 45A of spoil dump bed 45 is closed in the storage position so as to contain debris and spent drilling fluids therein. Again, gate 45A is preferably a sealed gate to provide fluid containment in dump bed 45. To dump the contents from dump bed 45, spoil dump bed 45 is moved from its storage position toward processor 41 to its dumped position tilted rearwardly from processor 41 and from trailing end 40B of platform 40 and downstream end 25 of chassis 23 of vehicle 22 as in FIGS. 9 and 10 via the operation of drive assembly 85 with the use of dump controls 88. Gravity acting on gate 45 allows gate 45 to open, as shown in phantom outline in FIG. 5, when latches 45B are opened to permit the contents of spoil dump bed 45 to eject from spoil dump bed 45 and onto the ground or other designated dumping site. With spoil dump bed 45 located at trailing end 40B of platform 40 at downstream end 25 of chassis 23, vehicle 22 may be backed up to locate spoil dump bed 45 at the designated dumping site in preparation for dumping the contents of spoil dump bed 45 at the designated dumping site. After the contents are released from spoil dump bed 45, drive assembly 85 is activated via dump controls 88 to move spoil dump bed 45 from its dumped position to its storage position in preparation for receiving debris from processor 41 generated by the cleaning of drilling mud, whereby gravity acting on gate 45 causes gate to move from its open position to its closed position, at which point it may be secured in place simply by closing latches 45B.

The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus, comprising:

a vehicle having a platform mounted with a chassis;

a drilling mud processor for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a generator, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted with the platform;

the drilling mud processor coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet;

the spoil dump bed coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud; and

the generator coupled to power the drilling mud processor.

2. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising operator controls mounted with the platform for operating the drilling mud processor and the generator.

3. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating according to claim 1, wherein the spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed.

4. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising:

the platform has a leading end and a trailing end;

the generator is located near the leading end;

the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end;

the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed; and

the spoil dump bed to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed.

5. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 3, a drive assembly coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump bed between the storage and dumped positions.

6. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the vehicle further comprises a motorized wheeled vehicle having an operator cab mounted with the chassis, the leading end of the platform is located forward toward the operator cab, and the trailing end of the of platform is located rearward away from the operator cab.

7. A drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus, comprising:

a drilling mud processor for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a generator, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted to a platform;

the drilling mud processor coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet;

the spoil dump bed coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud; and

the generator coupled to power the drilling mud processor.

8. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising operator controls mounted with the platform for operating the drilling mud processor and the generator.

9. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed.

10. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising:

the platform has a leading end and a trailing end;

the generator is located near the leading end;

the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end;

the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed; and

the spoil dump bed to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed.

11. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 9, a drive assembly coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump bed between the storage and dumped positions.

12. A drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus, comprising:

a vehicle having a platform mounted with a chassis;

a drilling mud processor for mixing clean drilling mud and for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a premixer, a generator, a water holding reservoir, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted with the platform;

the premixer for premixing drilling mud components and applying premixed drilling mud components to the drilling mud processor;

the drilling mud processor coupled in fluid communication to receive water from the water holding reservoir for mixing with premixed drilling mud components to form drilling mud for use in drilling operations;

the drilling mud processor coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet;

the spoil dump bed coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud; and

the generator coupled to power the drilling mud processor and the premixer.

13. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising operator controls mounted with the platform for operating the drilling mud processor, the premixer, and the generator.

14. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising an intake manifold coupled to deliver water to the water holding reservoir.

15. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed.

16. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising:

the platform has a leading end and a trailing end;

the generator is located near the leading end;

the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end;

the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed; and

the spoil dump bed to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed.

17. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 15, a drive assembly coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump bed between the storage and dumped positions.

18. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the vehicle further comprises a motorized wheeled vehicle having an operator cab mounted with the chassis, the leading end of the platform is located forward toward the operator cab, and the trailing end of the of platform is located rearward away from the operator cab.

19. A drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus, comprising:

a drilling mud processor for mixing clean drilling mud and for cleaning dirty drilling mud, a premixer, a generator, a water holding reservoir, a spoil dump bed, a dirty drilling mud inlet, and a clean drilling mud outlet, all mounted with a platform;

the premixer for premixing drilling mud components and applying premixed drilling mud components to the drilling mud processor;

the drilling mud processor coupled in fluid communication to receive water from the water holding reservoir for mixing with premixed drilling mud components to form drilling mud for use in drilling operations;

the drilling mud processor coupled in fluid communication to receive dirty drilling mud from the dirty drilling mud inlet for cleaning, and to deliver clean drilling mud to the clean drilling mud outlet;

the spoil dump bed coupled to receive debris generated by the drilling mud processor from the cleaning of dirty drilling mud; and

the generator coupled to power the drilling mud processor and the premixer.

20. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising operator controls mounted with the platform for operating the drilling mud processor, the premixer, and the generator.

21. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising an intake manifold coupled to deliver water to the water holding reservoir.

22. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the spoil dump bed is mounted to the platform for movement between a storage position to receive debris from the drilling mud processor and a dumped position to eject debris from the spoil dump bed.

23. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising:

the platform has a leading end and a trailing end;

the generator is located near the leading end;

the spoil dumb bed is located near the trailing end;

the drilling mud processor is located between the generator and the spoil dump bed; and

the spoil dump bed to eject debris from the trailing end of the platform in the dumped position of the spoil dump bed.

24. The drilling mud cleaning and recirculating apparatus according to claim 22, a drive assembly coupled between the spoil dump bed and the platform for moving the spoil dump bed between the storage and dumped positions.