Abstract: Apparatus for removing water from solid drill cuttings is disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotatable, cylindrical retort vessel having a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, with the vessel heated by an induction heating coil surrounding the vessel and travelling along the length thereof. In a preferred embodiment the apparatus includes a general assembly of a pair of retort vessels each with a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, located generally in the same vertical plane, with the downstream end of the upper vessel being in communication with the upstream end of the lower vessel. A method of removing water from drill cuttings is also disclosed.

Abstract: A drill cuttings conveying head for a portable drill rig includes a flexible tubular duct portion which is operable in conjunction with extension and retraction cylinders for the head to bend the duct portion sufficiently to permit retraction of the head to provide suitable ground clearance for transport of the rig. An actuator for bending and straightening the flexible duct portion is interconnected by way of a pressure fluid control circuit with the head extension and retraction cylinders for movement of the duct portion in conjunction with the extension and retraction of the conveying head.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for conditioning or reconditioning oil well drilling mud, comprising multiple hoppers for holding dry additive. Each hopper has a mechanism permitting the additive to be fed into an entrainment chamber at controlled, pre-selected rates. The additives are thus mixed at controlled rates with a free jet of mud forced across the entrainment chamber, to quickly achieve the desired density, viscosity and other properties of the mud. An augur is used to force the dry additive through an adjustable gate valve to control the additive flow rate. Or, the augur may be rotated at selected rates, and a fixed area additive flow passage employed between the hopper and the entrainment chamber.

Abstract: A drill cuttings conveying head member having a tubular duct portion which includes a movable sidewall forming a gate operable to be pivoted into a position blocking the flow passage in the duct portion and diverting the flowstream out of the conveying head during wet drilling conditions. A lever mechanism is connected to the gate and is operable to bias the gate in either the open or closed position.

Abstract: A conveying and collection system adapted for drilling rigs for conveying drill cuttings entrained with a bailing air flow stream emanating from the drillhole includes a generally tubular head fitted around the drillhole having a flow deflecting surface portion adapted to deflect the flow stream of drill cuttings into a conveying enclosure whereby velocity reduction and change of direction of the flow stream will separate relatively coarse cuttings. A mechanical conveyor may be disposed in the enclosure to convey the cuttings to a point remote from the drillhole. The head may be extended and retracted with respect to the drill rig deck plate by actuators controlled in accordance with the conduction of bailing air to the drill stem. One embodiment of the head comprises an enclosure formed by overlapping helical convolutions of a flat spirally coiled band.

Abstract: A method for reconditioning soils contaminated with crude oils or other refined petroleum products. The system comprises a mixer input device for mixing and heating the soils with a liquid and providing a heated blended slurry. A sparger kiln agitates the slurry to break down its component parts into a fine particle slurry. A first clarifier washes the fine particle slurry to effect a first separation of oil particles from the slurry. A network of flotation cell units further wash and agitate the fine particle slurry from the clarifier to effect a second separation of oil particles from the fine particle slurry. A reagent is added to the flotation cells to effect the oil separation. An aeration clarifier further separates the oil particles from the liquid mixture elected from the flotation cell units. A collecting system is provided to recover the oil particles separated from the first clarifier and the aeration clarifier.

Abstract: An apparatus for filtering drilling mud that is being recirculated out of the drill hole, which substantially comprises the flow conveying tubular section having at its first end a flanged base portion sealably attachable to the top portion of the hydril and open-ended at its second end for allowing fluid flow therethrough. Also provided is an outer tank portion encapsulating substantially the upper half portion of said tubular section, the tank portion having an open-ended top portion for receiving flow out of the end portion of the flow conveying tubular section and integrally attached at its bottom portion to the outer surface of the flow conveying tubular section, the outer tank portion defining a container for receiving the flow from the tubular section.

Abstract: A method for drying oil well drill cuttings to eliminate pollution causing organic material from the cuttings includes conveying the drill cuttings bearing the organic material to a heat transfer zone. Large quantities of relatively warm fixed gas are supplied to the heat transfer zone, with the gas functioning as a heat transfer medium. The gas is mixed with the drill cuttings to vaporize water and pollution causing organic material therefrom, with the temperature of the drill cuttings subsequently increasing.

Abstract: Commercial pleated paper filter elements are applied at full rated gas flow capacity in applications requiring removal of large quantities of particulate matter from large volumes of flowing air or other gas by combining the elements as second stage filters with a primary stage cyclonic separator and operating both under vacuum conditions. Compact construction is provided by disposing the filter elements in the center of a vortex of the cyclonic separator and by providing a storage manifold within the cyclonic separator for compressed gas for pulsed back flow cleaning of the filter elements.

Abstract: A method of maintaining preset parameters of a drilling mud delivered into a well in the process of drilling in which a value of the oxidation-reduction potential (redox potential) of the drilling mud is continuously measured at the inlet and outlet of the well. The obtained results are compared and a variation in the value of the redox potential of the drilling mud at the well outlet with respect to the value of the redox potential at the well inlet is registered. In case of any variation in the content of oxidation products in the drilling mud at the well outlet, the drilling mud is subjected to a unipolar electric treatment at the well inlet and the content of reduction reaction products in the drilling mud is increased until the preset value of the redox potential of the drilling mud is restored at the well outlet.

Abstract: A method of controlling fluid flow in the drilling mud treatment units of an oil/gas well drilling rig such as, for example, the shale shaker, desander, desilter, and mud cleaner portions thereof provides floating the inlet of an intake conduit at the supernatent liquid layer of the drilling rig reserve pit and providing a common distributor head for routing the supernatent liquid to the various solid control units. A pump is connected to the intake conduit and the header at the intake and discharge respectively. The pump transmits the reserve pit supernatent from the reserve pit to the header by pumping. There is provided one or more branch lines affixed to the header each discharging respectively into the drain of a drilling mud treatment unit associated with the drilling rig with the flow of reserve pit supernatent liquid keeping the various drains open. The drains are positioned to discharge back into the reserve pit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for drilling a bore hole using a dual concentric drill pipe. Air is supplied through the outer pipe to the bit to cool the bit and jet cuttings upwardly in the bore hole to a suction inlet leading from the bore hole to the inner pipe. A negative pressure is applied to the inner pipe to bail the cuttings up the inner pipe. Makeup air flows down the annulus in the bore hole to the suction inlet and prevents upward movement of dust in the bore hole. A bore hole enlarging bit is disclosed and has expansible cutters which are expanded by hydraulic fluid pressure. In one form, the expansible cutters can also be retracted by hydraulic fluid pressure. The enlarging bit is employed to enlarge a pilot bore hole from a selected beginning location to the bottom of the pilot bore hole to form a blast chamber.

Abstract: A method and a machine for obtaining of samples from the ground to determine the presence of certain substances in the ground. A drilling machine drives a drill down into the section of the ground to be prospected and cooling air is forced through the drill bit and down into the drill hole during the drilling. At least a part of the dust-laden air which escapes from the drill hole during the drilling is induced to pass through a filter web which is advanced continuously at a rate proportional to the drilling rate. When dust particles deposited on the web are analyzed, it becomes possible to determine what kind of minerals and other substances are contained in the prospected section of the ground and from which level they originate.

Abstract: A slurry diverter for use in well drilling of the type having a canister surrounding the drill shaft containing at least one compression ring member adapted to surround the drill shaft, having an O-ring-like outer portion and a thinner inwardly protruding lip portion adapted to contact the drill shaft so as to prevent the escape of slurry upwards on the drill shaft and divert such slurry through a slurry exit pipe held onto the diverter by quick release members which pipe extends away from the drill site to a diffuser held thereto also by quick release means.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons are removed from solids such as drill cuttings in apparatus including a rotating cylindrical retort vessel having a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, the auger-type conveyor is eccentrically located at the bottom of the vessel, the vessel is heated by an induction heating coil surrounding the vessel and traveling along the length thereof, and a retention device is inserted at the downstream end of the retort vessel in order to impede the discharge of solids traveling therethrough, to ensure more complete hydrocarbon removal, and the apparatus includes a general assembly of a pair of retort vessels, each with a counter rotating auger-type conveyor therein, located generally in the same vertical plane, with the downstream end of the upper vessel being in communication with the upstream end of the lower vessel.

Abstract: An automatic cleaning system is provided for a mud separator apparatus. Water and mud inputs to a mud pump feeding the separator are respectively controlled by two butterfly valves ganged for cooperation, and operated by a single valve actuator motor. When the mud separator is shut off, a time delay relay is actuated which keeps the mud separator rotor motor on line during a predetermined flush cycle. The valve actuator opens the water valve, and closes the mud valve, permitting the separator to be flushed with water. Activating the start button returns the valve actuator to the position in which the mud valve is open and the water valve is closed, thereby returning the apparatus to the mud separation cycle.

Abstract: An industrial vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The vacuum cleaner comprises a housing having an inlet port, means for creating a vacuum in the housing to suck dust into the housing, means located in the housing adjacent such inlet port for separating any liquid or snow which may be drawn up with the dust, and a filter, also located in the housing, for collecting the dust.

Abstract: A separator for use in separating air-born rock material from air. The separator comprises a housing defining a generally horizontal air flow path with at least one set of spiral deflector bands within the housing extending across the flow path. Each band preferably comprises a twisted strip of material which is resilient, but the strip can also be made from rigid or flexible material.

Abstract: The drilling fluid of deviant composition is subjected to a separating process comprising two stages, including a sieving stage and thereafter a pressure filtration stage, the drilling fluid clinging to the sieve residue obtained in the sieving stage is sucked off by means of a partial-vacuum, the liquid obtained in the separating stage is used for adjusting the desired composition of the drilling fluid in the supply container thereof, and the solid material separated in the separating process is dried and further processed for recovering the solid material to be used in the drilling fluid.

Abstract: Abnormal drilling conditions are detected by monitoring mud volume of the mud system or rate of change of the mud volume. In one embodiment, makeup mud is automatically added to the system as solids are removed from the mud. Abnormal conditions are indicated by when the rate of makeup mud addition differs from the rate of solids removal. The mud system is maintained at a substantially constant volume by means of tanks specially constructed to provide a small mud/air interface.

Abstract: A drilling fluid circulation system for containing drilling cuttings, gas and drilling fluid in a closed loop. The system includes a separator having two sealed compartments, one for settling out drilling cuttings and one for holding clean drilling fluid. A fine solids separator is provided between the two compartments, and a gas exhaust line for conducting gas released from the returning drilling fluid is provided to conduct the produced gas to a safe location away from the working area. A solids discharge device is provided for removing settled drilling cuttings.

Abstract: A method for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings at an onsite location, e.g. offshore drillsite, whereby the cuttings can be disposed of directly without the risk of pollution. The contaminated cuttings are separated from the drilling mud and are mixed with a solid oil absorbent material which absorbs the free oil from the contaminated cuttings. A surfactant may be added to aid in binding the oil in the cuttings and the oil absorbent material. Where the cuttings are of large size, they are preferably ground before mixing them with the oil absorbent material. Further, where the mixture of cuttings may include small or dust-like particles, the mixture is compacted into pellets, briquettes or other masses having a sufficient density to sink in water.

Abstract: In a dust collecting suction system for a rock drilling apparatus, the air rushing out of the borehole is collected in a hood and sucked through a coarse dust separator and a filter unit. The coarse dust from the separator is cleaned by an air currrent to remove remaining fine particles and then it is dumped on the ground whereas the finer dust from the filter unit is collected in plastic bags.

Abstract: This relates to drilling in water from a platform or vessel using a riser pipe. An inverted funnel skirt or cone is placed over slots cut in the wall of a riser pipe a short distance above its lower end. The apex end of the cone is welded to the riser pipe above the slots and drill cuttings pass through the slots and fall to the seafloor. Another embodiment includes an "L" shaped diverter flowline welded to the periphery of each hole in the riser pipe with one leg of the "L" extending a short distance below the hole.

Abstract: Solid lubricating particles such as spherical plastic beads which are useful in drilling operations are separated from drill cuttings by (1) depositing a mixture of the particles and cuttings on a reciprocating deck which operates in a manner such that the mixture moves in one direction across the deck and (2) passing a wash stream across the mixture in a second direction approximately perpendicular to the direction of the mixture flow. The wash stream causes the solid lubricating particles to move in the second direction at a rate significantly greater than the drill cuttings. The lubricating particles are readily recovered from the drill cuttings for reuse in the drilling operation.

Abstract: An onsite method and apparatus for treating oil-contaminated drill cuttings at an onsite location, e.g., offshore drillsite, whereby the cuttings can be disposed of directly without the risk of pollution. The contaminated cuttings are separated from the drilling mud and are passed to a heating section of a treating unit where they are sprayed with steam to flash distill the oil from the cuttings. The distilled oil and the spent steam are passed to a cooling section of the treating unit where they are condensed before being passed to a water-oil separator. The cleaned cuttings are removed from the heating section for disposal, e.g., by dumping them into the water if at an offshore location.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing volatile materials from drill cuttings by vaporizing the materials on the cuttings in a non-oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: A discharge valve assembly for use in dust collection systems is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a conduit (160) and a rotatable valve member (162). A rod (192) is connected to the valve member (162). The conduit (160) is formed of an elastic material and has a generally circular cross section. The conduit (160) also has an inner diameter (164) in an unstretched condition. The valve member (162) has a generally circular cross section and an outer diameter (178) which is greater than the inner diameter (164). The rod (192) has an axis spaced from a line bisecting the valve member (162) and is connected to the valve member (162) for rotation of the valve member (162) between a closed and an open position. In one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of discharge valve assemblies are disposed below a number of dust separator mechanisms (60,92). A discharge valve assembly can also serve as a suction or vacuum breaking means (158) in a multiple-stage dust collector system.

Abstract: Recovery of drilling fluid from the mud leaving the well. The mud is first subjected to conventional separation on screens, settling tanks and/or hydrocyclones, whereafter the resulting liquid is centrifuged. The centripetal effluent of the centrifuge is recycled, alone of in mixture with non-centrifuged liquid, to the drilling tool.The process is applicable to drilling on land and at sea, saves drilling additives, avoids the need for the maintenance of mud tips, transportation of spent mud and avoids pollution.

Abstract: A tool for introducing self-tapping dowels in a structure by a drilling process which is accompanied by the generation of large-size drillings, has a shaft connectable with a drive, a dowel holder connectable with the shaft and having a receiving bore which includes a first section adapted to receive a dowel shank and a second section adapted to receive the large-size drillings, and a suction arrangement movable relative to the dowel holder to and from an operative position in which it communicates with the second portion of the dowel holder and draws air therethrough to thereby suck the large-size drillings into the second section of the dowel holder bore wherein they are retained during the drilling process.

Abstract: A three-stage dust collector incorporating a side outlet cyclone separator as the second dust collection stage. The side outlet separator includes an inlet end, an outlet end and a continuous side wall therebetween. A plurality of side outlet apertures are provided in the side wall and the separator has a plurality of axial passageways between its inlet and outlet ends. A vortex generating device is affixed within each axial passageway proximate the inlet end thereof and a device is provided for channeling clean air from within each axial passageway through a side outlet aperture. The vortex generated in the flow of dust-laden air entering the axial passageway discharges dust through the outlet end of the separator while cleaned air is channeled through the channeling device to a third stage separator.

Abstract: Method for removing volatile materials from drill cuttings by vaporizing the materials on the cuttings in a non-oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and means for using nitrogen exhaust gases or gaseous mixtures of combustible products for reduction of oxygen in drilling fluids during the drilling of well bores and which comprises utilizing nitrogen from normally waste exhaust gases or the like, injecting the nitrogen and other gases present into the usual drilling muds for replacing the oxygen contents of the drilling muds with the nitrogen gas, whereby corrosive action of the drilling muds is greatly reduced or substantially eliminated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing drilling mud wherein mud containing lost circulating material is passed from the well to a separator device where it is separated from the drilling mud and is reintroduced into the drilling mud after the mud has been cleaned of undesirable solid particulate. In the separator, the lost circulating material is retained on a coarse screen while the mud and drilling solids pass to a finer mesh screen. The finer mesh screen removes the drilling solids and allows the mud to pass to the mud tank. The separator includes structure to recirculate the lost circulating material to the mud tank.

Abstract: A drill cuttings and dust control hood formed as an inverted rectangular box having depending flexible skirts on three lateral sides and a swinging door formed on a fourth side of the box for drill cuttings removal. The dust control hood includes a conical drill cuttings deflector disposed around the drill stem and directly above the drill hole. The conical deflector includes a plurality of apertures disposed around its base and above a transverse baffle plate. A source of air suction is connected to a tangential outlet opening through the deck of the hood into the interior of the space formed within the conical deflector. Flexible collars on the hood deck and the apex of the conical deflector form dust seals around the drill stem.

Abstract: A roof drill dust collector is disclosed which comprises a closed housing in which dust-laden air is carried through a first stage dust separator, a second stage dust separator, and a third stage dust filter, before being expelled to open air. The first and second stage separators deposit dust in first and second collection chambers having a common floor, being a hinged door. The housing has means therein for automatically, in sequence, spraying streams of water on the collection chamber walls, opening the hinged door to dump the collected dust, sending a reverse pulse of air through the third stage filter, and closing the hinged door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for automatically recovering the entirety of the excavated materials in the order in which they are raised to the surface.The excavated materials being delivered through the central passage of a double pipe system pass into a strainer pipe 6 discharging into a perforated recovery sheath 5 which is closed at its base. A decompression sleeve 3 encloses the strainer pipe. Air and water are evacuated through the strainer slots 6 and all the excavated materials are deposited at 5 in the order in which they are brought up.The invention is applicable to any reverse circulation drilling system.

Abstract: This specification discloses a system and method for flushing and cleaning a hydrocyclone used in removing drilled solids from a drilling mud circulated in the drilling of a borehole. The system is comprised of a feed pump connected via a mud conduit to the inlet of a hydrocyclone. A check valve is located in the mud conduit intermediate the feed pump and the inlet of the hydrocyclone which allows the mud to flow through the mud conduit only in the direction toward the hydrocyclone. Another conduit for flowing a cleaning liquid is connected with the mud conduit on the hydrocyclone side of the check valve. A valve responsive to a signal, pressure or electrical, is located in this other conduit intermediate the mud conduit and a supply of cleaning liquid.

Abstract: A method and system for neutralizing various toxic and explosive gases, described particularly with respect to those gases which escape during the drilling of oil and gas wells, including heating the gases to reacting temperature, desulfurizing the gases with a suitable catalyst, and reacting hydrocarbon gases to form inert gases. In one embodiment exhaust gases from existing energy sources are utilized to accomplish heating and these gases are also rendered inert. A means is also disclosed for disposing of large volumes of natural gas produced in "kicks" during the drilling of oil wells.

Abstract: A process for removing oil base mud adhering to cuttings obtained in well drilling operations, comprising contacting the cuttings with a solvent consisting essentially of a mixture of ethyleneglycol monoisobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate, ethyl butyl ketone, ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethyleneglycol diethyl ether, and diethyleneglycol mono-n-hexyl ether, together with paraffin oil, in relative proportions of from 10:90 to 80:20. This forms a mixture of oil and solvent on the cuttings which is readily removable; as by washing or centrifuging or a combination of the two.

Abstract: A method for determining the amount and character of rotary drilling bit wear without interruption of the drilling operation.The method comprises flowing a drilling fluid through the borehole and around the bit with sufficient velocity to remove the formation and bit cuttings as well as dust and other fragments knocked or worn loose from the bit, placing a magnetic in close proximity to the recovered material such that a portion of the ferrous cuttings, fragments and dust are attracted to the surface of the magnet, removing the ferrous cuttings, fragments and dust from the magnet and examining them under an optical microscope to enable observation of their size, shape and color, and comparing the quantity, size, shape and color of the recovered ferrous material with the quantity, size, shape and color of ferrous cuttings, fragments and dust indicative of known conditions of bit wear.scale.

Abstract: Coal can be mined from a substantially vertical or steeply inclined seam by forming a cavity in the seam and filling the cavity with a magnetite slurry having a specific gravity greater than the coal being mined therefrom.As the coal is dislodged, it will float to the top and be pumped from the cavity by the excess magnetite slurry being supplied to the cavity. A coal-magnetite slurry separator is used to separate the coal from the magnetite slurry, whereupon the magnetite slurry is reinjected into the cavity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for complete reverse air vacuum drilling by entrainment of chips and dust in a high velocity air stream created by applying a vacuum to the drill stem or the annulus of a drilled hole, removing the drilled particles by entrainment in the flow of air created by the vacuum and collection of the drilled particles for visual or other analysis.

Abstract: Drilling mud having a high density capable of countering high pressures in formations penetrated by the borehole of a well is prepared by delivering a drilling mud having barite suspended in it into a cyclone separator at a rate which causes the pressure drop in the liquid as it passes through the cyclone separator to exceed 500 psi. A suspension of barite in drilling mud liquids is discharged as underflow from the cyclone separators. That suspension, which has a density in the range of 16 to 20 pounds per gallon, is either blended with a controlled amount of drilling mud liquids to produce a drilling mud of the desired density or pumped directly into the well to place a slug of very high density drilling mud in the well.