SISTEMA PARA MEDIR FRAGMENTOS E CASCALHOS DE PERFURAÇÃO E MÉTODO PARA IDENTIFICAR UM TAMANHO DE FRAGMENTOS E CASCALHOS DE PERFURAÇÃO

Abstract

SYSTEM FOR MEASURING DRILLING FRAGMENTS AND GRAVEL AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING THE SIZE OF DRILLING FRAGMENTS AND GRAVEL. A system for measuring drilling fragments and gravel may comprise a conveyor belt disposed below an agitator, wherein the agitator disposes the drilling fragments and gravel onto the conveyor belt, and an imaging system connected to the conveyor belt by a frame, wherein the frame positions the imaging system to form a field of view on the conveyor belt with the imaging system. The system may further include an information handling system configured to operate the agitator and the conveyor belt.One method for identifying the size of drill fragments and cuttings may involve dropping drill fragments and cuttings onto a conveyor belt from an agitator, operating the conveyor belt to move the drill fragments and cuttings through a field of view, visualizing the drill fragments and cuttings in the field of view with an imaging system, and sizing the drill fragments and cuttings based, at least in part, on one or more calibration blocks attached to the conveyor belt.

Description

"SYSTEM FOR MEASURING DRILLING FRAGMENTS AND GRAVEL AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING THE SIZE OF DRILLING FRAGMENTS AND GRAVEL" Fundamentals

[0001] During the drilling of a hydrocarbon production well, a drilling fluid or “mud” is continuously circulated from a surface location to the bottom of the wellbore being drilled and back to the surface again. The return mud includes fragments and drilling cuttings derived primarily from the formation being penetrated by a drill bit. In the case of multilateral wells, the fragments and drilling cuttings may also include metal fragments and drilling cuttings generated from milling or drilling through casing walls to form a lateral wellbore. Some downhole operations may also include wellbore enlargement operations, which can result in a unique type of fragments and cuttings returning to the surface.

[0002] Recovery of drilling debris and cuttings can be closely monitored during drilling operations. Excessive cutting, cavity buildup due to poor hole cleaning, and hole instability can cause costly incidents with stuck pipes. Well instability and stuck pipe incidents can be major contributors to non-productive time (NPT) related to drilling. Monitoring drilling debris / cavities can be useful for early detection and mitigation of such events. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be regarded as exclusive examples. The disclosed material is capable of considerable modification, alteration, combination and equivalents in form and function without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0004] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary drilling system that may employ the principles of the present disclosure;

[0005] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of an imaging system; Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 8 / 31 2 / 16

[0006] Figure 3 is a front view of the imaging system; and

[0007] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another example of the imaging system. Detailed Description

[0008] This disclosure relates to wellbore drilling operations and, more particularly, to the monitoring of drilling fluid returns and the adjustment of operating parameters of solids control equipment used to identify the density and / or size distribution of wellbore cuttings and chips. As discussed below, solids control equipment may include at least one agitator, conveyor belt, or actuator table. During operations, drilling cuttings and chips suspended within the spent drilling fluid may be monitored with one or more cuttings and chips detection devices as the cuttings and chips traverse a conveyor belt or actuator table.Data on drilling fragments and cuttings can then be generated and transmitted to an information handling system where the data is analyzed. The processed data can then be generated and analyzed to determine the properties of the fragments and cuttings, including, for example, the size distribution and density of the drilling fragments and cuttings. Observing the characteristics of drilling fragments and cuttings returning to the surface during drilling operations can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of drilling operations, which can reduce the cost of drilling wells for oil and gas exploration and subsequent production.

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary drilling system 100 that may employ the principles of this disclosure, according to one or more examples. It should be noted that although Figure 1 generally represents a land-based drilling system, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that the principles described herein are equally applicable to subsea drilling operations employing floating or sea-based platforms and rigs without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As illustrated, the drilling system 100 may include a platform Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 9 / 31 A 3 / 16 drill string 102 supports a crane 104 with a hoist 106 for raising and lowering a drill string 108. The drill string 108 may include, but is not limited to, drill pipe or spiral tubing, as it is commonly known to those skilled in the art. A kelly 110 supports the drill string 108 as it is lowered through a rotary table 112. A drill bit 114 is attached to the distal end of the drill string 108 and is driven by a downhole motor and / or by the rotation of the drill string 108 by the rotary table 112. As the drill bit 114 rotates, it creates a well 116 that penetrates various subterranean formations 118.

[0010] A pump 120 (e.g., a mud pump) circulates drilling fluid 122 through a feed pipe 124 and to the kelly 110 which carries drilling fluid 122 downhole through the interior of the drill string 108 and through one or more holes in the drill bit 114. The drilling fluid 122 is then recirculated back to the surface via an annular space 126 set between the drill string 108 and the wellbore walls 116. At the surface, the recirculated or spent drilling fluid 122 exits the annular space 126 and may be conveyed to one or more fluid processing units, such as solids control equipment 128, by means of an interconnecting flow line 130.

[0011] The return or spent drilling fluid 122 may contain fragments and cuttings derived from the well 116 as the drill bit 114 grinds and scrapes the bottom and walls of the well 116. The spent drilling fluid 122 may also contain various solid additives, such as lost circulation materials, added to the drilling fluid 122 to enhance its operation. After passing through the fluid processing units, including the solids control equipment 128, a “clean” drilling fluid 122 may be deposited in a nearby holding tank 132 (i.e., a mud tank or suction tank). One or more chemicals, fluids, or additives may be added to the drilling fluid 122 via a mixing hopper 134 coupled in communication with, or otherwise in fluid communication with, the holding well 132.

[0012] The 128 solids control equipment can be configured to remove Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 10 / 31 4 / 16 substantially remove drilling fragments and cuttings, solids and other unwanted debris from the drilling fluid 122 and thus separate the residues from particulates or reusable materials. Solids control equipment 128 may include, but is not limited to, one or more agitators (e.g., shale agitator), a desilter, a desander, any combination thereof and similar (typically solids separation units, based on particle size range). To remove drilling fragments and cuttings and other unwanted solids from the return drilling fluid 122, the agitators used in the solids control equipment 128 may include one or more agitator screens (not shown) through which the drilling fragments and cuttings can pass to be separated from the drilling fluid 122.

[0013] A common problem encountered with solids control equipment 128 may be the inefficient removal of unwanted solids and other particles. For example, when solids control equipment 128, such as agitators, may not be properly tuned, they may sometimes pass unwanted solids or other contaminant particles into the holding tank 132, thus providing a less effective drilling fluid 122 that is recirculated back to the well 116. In other cases, untuned solids control equipment 128 may inadvertently remove valuable components or additive materials from the drilling fluid 122, similarly having an adverse effect on the performance of the drilling fluid 122.

[0014] In the examples, the agitator screens used in the solids control equipment 128 must be able to handle the total circulation rate of the drilling fluid 122, thus generating the drilling waste volume while simultaneously recovering the drilling fluid volume 122. The agitator screens may typically be the only equipment that is changed or altered to handle fluctuating deviations in the properties of the drilling fluid 122, such as changes in the drilling fluid flow rate 122 or drilling conditions, such as the drill bit penetration rate 114. In addition, agitator screens may also typically be the only equipment in conventional drilling systems that separate solids based on size.

[0015] As disclosed below, the 128 solids control equipment and more Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 11 / 31 5 / 16 In particular, one or more agitators of solids control equipment 128 can be attached to an imaging system 136 configured to help optimize the operating parameters of the agitators. As described in this document, the imaging system 136 can be configured to provide an operator with a real-time indication of the efficiency of the solids control equipment 128, thus enabling the operator to proactively adjust and change one or more operating parameters of the solids control equipment 128 (e.g., the agitators) to optimize its operation.Exemplary operating parameters of 128 solids control equipment that can be adjusted may include, but are not limited to, increasing or decreasing the tilt angle (i.e., inclination) of a stirrer screen, increasing or decreasing the vibration amplitude of a stirrer, increasing or decreasing the vibration frequency of a stirrer, changing the size (i.e., mesh size) of a stirrer screen, changing a mesh configuration or profile (e.g., alternative hole shapes) of a stirrer screen, changing the operating speed (i.e., RPM) of a centrifuge, changing the frequency in variable speed drive (VSD) equipment, and any combination thereof.

[0016] In examples, the imaging system 136 (photo, acoustic, inductive, capacitive, etc.) may include or be communicatively coupled to an automated control system (not shown). When the detection limits obtained by the imaging system 136 exceed a predetermined operating limit for the drilling fluid 122, the automated control system may be configured to autonomously adjust one or more operating parameters to bring the operation back within the appropriate operating limits and optimize the operation of the solids control equipment 128. The fine-tuning solids control equipment 128 can ensure that the drilling fluid 122 is maintained at appropriate and efficient operating levels. Furthermore, when proper solids control practices are used, the cost of maintaining the drilling fluid 122 and related equipment can be greatly reduced.

[0017] Figure 2 illustrates the solids control equipment 128, more specifically an agitator 200, conveyor belt 202 and an imaging system 136 according to some embodiments. As illustrated, solids control equipment 128 Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, p. 12 / 31 6 / 16 can be connected to an information handling system 204. The systems and methods of this disclosure can be implemented, at least in part, with an information handling system 204. The information handling system 204 may include any instrumentation or aggregate of instrumentation operable for computing, estimating, classifying, processing, transmitting, receiving, retrieving, originating, switching, storing, displaying, manifesting, detecting, recording, reproducing, manipulating, or using any form of information, intelligence, or data for commercial, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system 204 may be a processing unit 206, a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price.The information handling system 204 may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and / or other types of non-volatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system 204 may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communication with external devices, as well as various input and output (I / O) devices, such as an input device 208 (e.g., keyboard, mouse, etc.) and a video monitor 210. The information handling system 204 may also include one or more operable buses for transmitting communications between the various hardware components.

[0018] Alternatively, the systems and methods of this disclosure may be implemented, at least in part, with computer-readable non-transient media 212. Computer-readable non-transient media 212 may include any instrument or aggregation of instruments that can retain data and / or instructions for a period of time. Computer-readable non-transient media 212 may include, for example, storage media such as a direct access storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive or floppy disk drive), a sequential access storage device (e.g., a tape disk drive), compact disc, CD-ROM, DVD, RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) and / or flash memory; as well as communication media such as Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 13 / 31 7 / 16 wires, optical fibers, microwaves, radio waves and other electromagnetic and / or optical carriers; and / or any combination thereof.

[0019] During operations, information from the solids control equipment 128 can be collected and / or processed by the information handling system 204. For example, information recorded by the imaging system 136 can be stored in memory and then processed by the information handling system 204. Processing can be performed in real time during data acquisition. Without limitation, information from the imaging system 136 can be processed by the information handling system 204, which can then control the agitator 200 and the conveyor belt 202 based, at least in part, on the processed information from the imaging system 136. The processed information can be displayed for personnel to observe and stored for future processing and reference.

[0020] It should be noted, however, that the imaging system 136 schematically represented in Figure 2 is only one example of a type of imaging system, device, or apparatus that can be used in accordance with the principles of this disclosure. In fact, other types and configurations of imaging systems incorporating other computer design configurations may alternatively and appropriately incorporate the principles of this disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, the following description of imaging system 136 is provided for illustrative purposes only and should not be considered limiting.

[0021] In the examples, imaging system 136 may be located on or near drilling platform 102 (e.g., referring to Figure 1). In other examples, however, any of the component parts or modules shown in Figure 2 may be located in a remote location without departing from the scope of disclosure. For example, some of the data and processing modules of imaging system 136 may be located in a remote operations center where the data can be received and analyzed by a geologist, mud logist, or other type of logging professional. Furthermore, the remote location may include a mobile device, such as an tablet or laptop computer, and the resulting data and / or computational analysis. Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 14 / 31 8 / 16 can be transmitted through a data distribution system, or through any other mobile transfer standard used in the industry.

[0022] As illustrated, the imaging system 136 may include one or more fragment and gravel (or solid) detection devices coupled in a communicative manner and otherwise communicating with the information handling system 204. As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the detection devices may be a camera 214 and a laser 216 according to some embodiments. The camera 214 and the laser 216 may be positioned adjacent to, above, beside, and / or similarly to the conveyor belt 202. The camera 214 and a laser 216 may be configured to monitor drilling fragments and gravel 218 as they move with the conveyor belt 202.

[0023] In examples, camera 214 may be a high-speed camera capable of capturing images and / or video of drilling fragments and cuttings 218 in real time or at timed intervals dependent on the drilling operation (e.g., drilling, circulation, cleaning, etc.). Camera 214, for example, may include one or more charge-coupled device (CCD) cameras, one or more low-light or infrared cameras, a 3D laser scanner, a cone-scope holography camera, a coherent laser radar, one or more touch probes, a magnetic position tracker, or any combination thereof. In at least one example, camera 214 may include a high-speed microscope.In addition, the 214 camera can be configured for use with one or more light sources, such as a white light source, an incandescent light source (e.g., a tungsten filament lamp), an infrared light source, laser 216, one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), or any combination thereof.

[0024] As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the laser 216 can be used as a light source, which can illuminate the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 with a known wavelength of electromagnetic radiation according to some embodiments. As a result, the drilling fluid 122 (e.g., referring to Figure 1) and various additives suspended in it (e.g., lost circulation materials, etc.) can become relatively transparent in contrast to the cuttings. Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, p. 15 / 31 9 / 16 of adjacent perforations 218, so that only the perforation gravel 218 is visible for image capture. In some examples, one or more energy modification devices (not shown), such as a polarizer, a beam splitter, and / or a filter, may interpose fragments and perforation gravel 218 to reduce the number or width of wavelengths seen by the camera 214. For example, a polarizer may be used to align the light energy in the 'P' or 'S' directions (so that the processed energy is p-polarized or s-polarized) or to generate a mixture of P and S polarized energy. A beam splitter may be used to reduce the spectrum of the received energy to some selected or preferred range of wavelengths. Lastly, a filter may be used to further narrow the range to a selected spectrum before image detection.

[0025] As illustrated in Figure 3, the camera 214 and laser 216 can be configured to illuminate the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 (for example, referring to Figure 2) in a field of view 220 on the conveyor belt 202. As illustrated, a structure 222 can support the camera 214 and laser 216, which can aid in the processing of drilling fragments and cuttings 218. Processing the drilling cutting 218 can result in the determination of various characteristics of the drilling fragments and cuttings 218, such as fragment and cuttings size distribution or density of drilling fragments and cuttings 218 traversing the conveyor belt 202.As used in this document, the “density” of drilling fragments and cuttings 218 refers to the amount of drilling fragments and cuttings 218 moving on the conveyor belt 202 during a given period of time, or in other words, the flow rate of drilling fragments and cuttings 218. Upon receiving image data derived from the camera 214, a software program stored in the processing unit 206 can be programmed with instructions that, when executed by processor(s) in the processing unit 206, perform desired measurements or analyses on drilling fragments and cuttings 218 to determine the size distribution of drilling fragments and cuttings and / or density of drilling fragments and cuttings 218. In one example, the software might include a three-dimensional (3D) face recognition program or an analysis program. Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 16 / 31 10 / 16 particle size to measure and determine the desired characteristics of drilling fragments and cuttings 218. The drilling fragments and cuttings 218 can be analyzed in real time by the software to determine the real-time size distribution of fragments and cuttings and / or the density of drilling fragments and cuttings 218 moving on the conveyor belt 202.

[0026] With continued reference to Figures 2 and 3, the conveyor belt 202 can be placed under the agitator 200, where the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 can fall from the agitator 200 onto the conveyor belt 202. The length and width of the agitator screen can be customized according to operational needs. In the examples, the conveyor belt 202 can be mounted on a grid where the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 can fall onto the conveyor belt 202, which can transport the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 to the edge of the conveyor belt 202. Furthermore, the conveyor belt 202 can be driven by one or more motors 224 (electric or pneumatic). Various types of motors 224 can be considered, such as AC motors, DC motors, servo motors, stepper motors, etc. For electric motors, junction boxes may be required to supply power and capture signals.Furthermore, the motor 224 and the conveyor rollers 226 can be connected by various options, such as gear arrangements, chains, and / or sprockets. The motors 224 can move a track 232, which can also be identified as a belt, on which the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 can be disposed. The track 232 can move based, at least in part, on arrangements of gears, sprockets, and one or more motors 224. Additionally, the track 232 can include a phobic or hydrophobic oil coating, which can prevent the drilling fragments and cuttings 218 from sticking to the surface of the track 232, which could tilt the measurements.

[0027] During operations, the speed of the conveyor belt 202 can be easily determined, as well as controlled to a particular RPM of the motor 224. The speed of the conveyor belt 202 can be controlled by the information handling system 204, which can be based at least in part on information from the imaging system 136. For example, the conveyor belt 202 can accelerate or decelerate based on the number of fragments and drilling cuttings 218 that pass by. Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 17 / 31 11 / 16 through the field of view 220 of the imaging system 136. In addition, the motor 224 may have an RPM sensor to produce a feedback signal. The speed of the motor 224 may be changed electronically and remotely from the information handling system 204 based on the feedback signal from the RPM sensor and / or the size and number of drilling fragments and cuttings 218.

[0028] To determine the size of drilling fragments and cuttings 218, the imaging system 136 can be calibrated to identify the different sizes of drilling fragments and cuttings 218. As illustrated in Figure 2, this calibration can be performed automatically using calibration blocks 228. In one or more examples, there may be any number of calibration blocks 228 attached to the conveyor belt 202. Each calibration block 228 may have a different size. In addition, each calibration block 228 may include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can identify each calibration block 228 individually and the size of the calibration block 228. During calibration operations, the information handling system 204 can activate self-cleaning mechanisms, not illustrated, that can clean the conveyor belt 202, which may leave each calibration block 228 exposed.Thus, when a calibration block 228 passes through the field of view 220 (e.g., referring to Figure 3), the particular size of the calibration block 228 is captured and recorded. This size is identified by the RFID tag on the calibration block 228. An RFID transmitter 230 (e.g., referring to Figure 3) can operate and function to identify the RFID tag. Furthermore, size calibration can be performed on a rotation of the conveyor belt 202. The speed of the conveyor belt 202 can be varied to accommodate the imaging system 136 during calibration mode.

[0029] Figure 4 illustrates another example of solids control equipment 128, which includes an actuator table 400, an agitator 200, and an imaging system 136. As illustrated in Figure 4, the actuator table 400 can be arranged below the agitator 200 from which the drilling fragments and gravel 218 can fall. As illustrated, the actuator table 400 can include an actuator system 402 and one or more calibration blocks 228, which may include RFID tags as discussed above. The Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 18 / 31 The 12 / 16 actuator system 402 may include a piston 404, which may also be identified as a cylinder. The piston 404 may be pneumatic, electric, or hydraulic.

[0030] During operations, the agitator 200 can release a predetermined quantity of fragments and drilling chips 218 onto the actuator table 400. After releasing the fragments and drilling chips 218, the agitator 200 can stop, which can allow the imaging system 136 to scan the actuator table 400 and the fragments and drilling chips 218 on the actuator table 400. The size of the fragments and drilling chips 218 can be determined from the imaging system 136, which has been calibrated using calibration blocks 228 as described above. After sweeping away fragments and drilling cuttings 218, the actuator system 402 can extend the plunger 404 through the length of the actuator table 400, which can remove the fragments and drilling cuttings 218 from the actuator table 400, and a new batch of fragments and drilling cuttings 218 can be released from the agitator 200.

[0031] Consequently, the systems and methods disclosed in this document may be directed to a method for receiving measurement data from a remote wire rope system. The systems and methods may include any of the various features of the systems and methods disclosed herein, including one or more of the following statements.

[0032] Statement 1: A system for measuring drilling fragments and cuttings may comprise a conveyor belt disposed below an agitator, wherein the agitator disposes the drilling fragments and cuttings onto the conveyor belt, and an imaging system connected to the conveyor belt by a frame, wherein the frame positions the imaging system to form a field of view on the conveyor belt with the imaging system. The system may further include an information handling system configured to operate the agitator and the conveyor belt.

[0033] Declaration 2: The system of declaration 1, wherein the imaging system comprises a camera and a laser, wherein the camera is configured to measure a size of the drilling fragments and gravel.

[0034] Declaration 3. The system of declarations 1 or 2, further comprising one or more calibration blocks, wherein one or more calibration blocks are of different sizes.

[0035] Declaration 4. The system of declaration 3, in which one or more calibration blocks Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 19 / 31 13 / 16 are attached to the conveyor belt and include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.

[0036] Declaration 5. The system of declaration 4, further comprising an RFID transmitter, connected to the frame, which is configured to read RFID tags.

[0037] Declaration 6. The system of declarations 1-3, further comprising one or more motors, wherein one or more motors are connected to the conveyor belt and are configured to operate the conveyor belt.

[0038] Declaration 7. The system of declaration 6, in which the information handling system is further configured to operate one or more engines based, at least in part, on information from the imaging system.

[0039] Statement 8. A system for measuring drilling fragments and cuttings may comprise an actuator table disposed below an agitator, wherein the agitator disposes the drilling fragments and cuttings onto the actuator table, and an imaging system connected to the actuator table by a frame, wherein the frame positions the imaging system to form a field of view on the actuator table with the imaging system. The system may further include an information handling system configured to operate the agitator and the actuator table.

[0040] Declaration 9: The system of declaration 8, wherein the imaging system comprises a camera and a laser, wherein the camera is configured to measure a size of the fragments and drilling gravel.

[0041] Declaration 10. The system of declarations 8 or 9, further comprising one or more calibration blocks, wherein one or more calibration blocks are of different sizes.

[0042] Declaration 11. The system of declaration 10, in which one or more calibration blocks are connected to the actuator table and include an RFID tag.

[0043] Declaration 12. The system of declaration 11, further comprising an RFID transmitter, connected to the frame, which is configured to read RFID tags.

[0044] Declaration 13. The system of declarations 8-10, further comprising an actuator system connected to the actuator table, wherein the actuator system includes a piston.

[0045] Statement 14. The system of statement 13, in which the handling system of Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 20 / 31 14 / 16 information is still configured to operate the actuator system based, at least in part, on information from the imaging system.

[0046] Statement 15. A method for identifying the size of drill bits and cuttings may comprise dropping drill bits and cuttings onto a conveyor belt from an agitator, operating the conveyor belt to move the drill bits and cuttings through a field of view, visualizing the drill bits and cuttings in the field of view with an imaging system, and sizing the drill bits and cuttings based, at least in part, on one or more calibration blocks attached to the conveyor belt.

[0047] Statement 16. The method of statement 15, wherein the imaging system comprises a camera and a laser.

[0048] Declaration 17. The method of declarations 15 or 16, wherein one or more calibration blocks comprise an RFID tag.

[0049] Statement 18. The method of statement 17, further comprising identifying one or more calibration blocks by means of an RFID tag with an RFID transmitter.

[0050] Statement 19. The method of statements 15-17, further comprising controlling a conveyor belt speed with an information handling system.

[0051] Statement 20. The method of statement 19, wherein the conveyor belt speed is based, at least in part, on the drilling fragments and gravel within the field of view.

[0052] The preceding description provides several examples of the systems and methods of use disclosed in this document, which may contain different method steps and alternative combinations of components. It should be understood that, although individual examples may be discussed in this document, the present disclosure covers all combinations of the disclosed examples, including, without limitation, different combinations of components, combinations of method steps, and system properties. It should be understood that compositions and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps; compositions and methods may also “essentially consist of” or “consist of” various components and steps. Furthermore, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 21 / 31 15 / 16 in the claims, are defined in this document to mean one or more of the element they introduce.

[0053] For the sake of brevity, only certain ranges are explicitly disclosed in this document. However, ranges of any lower limit may be combined with any upper limit to report a range not explicitly reported, as well as ranges of any lower limit may be combined with any other lower limit to report a range not explicitly reported, in the same way, ranges of any upper limit may be combined with any other upper limit to report a range not explicitly reported. Additionally, whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any range included falling within the range are specifically disclosed.In particular, every range of values ​​(of the form, “from approximately aa to approximately b”, or, equivalently, “from approximately aab”, or, equivalently, “from approximately ab”) described in this document shall be understood to establish each number and range encompassed within the broader range of values, even if not explicitly cited. Thus, each individual point or value may serve as its own lower or upper limit combined with any other individual point or value or any other lower or upper limit, to cite a range not explicitly cited.

[0054] Therefore, the present examples are well adapted to achieve the aforementioned purposes and advantages, as well as those inherent therein. The particular examples disclosed above are merely illustrative and may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent ways, evident to those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of the present document. Although individual examples are discussed, the disclosure covers all combinations of all examples. Furthermore, no limitation is intended for the details of construction or design shown in this document, except as described in the following claims. Also, the terms in the claims have their ordinary simple meaning unless explicitly and clearly defined otherwise by the patent holder.Therefore, it is evident that the particular illustrative examples revealed earlier may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of those examples. Petition 870250108894, dated 11 / 27 / 2025, page 22 / 31 16 / 16 If there is any conflict in the uses of a word or term in this descriptive report and one or more patents or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this descriptive report shall be adopted.

Claims

1. System for measuring drilling fragments and cuttings, characterized in that it comprises: - a conveyor belt (202) disposed below an agitator (200), the agitator disposing the drilling fragments and cuttings (218) on the conveyor belt (202); - an imaging system (136) including one or more devices for detecting fragments and cuttings or solids, the imaging system (136) connected to the conveyor belt (202) by a structure (222), the structure (222) positioning the imaging system (136) to form a field of view (220) on the conveyor belt (202) with the imaging system (136); - an information handling system (204) coupled in a communicative manner to the imaging system (136) and a solids control device (128) for operating the agitator (200) and the conveyor belt (202);and - one or more calibration blocks (228), wherein one or more calibration blocks (228) are of different sizes and wherein one or more calibration blocks (228) are attached to the conveyor belt (202) and include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.; 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the imaging system (136) comprises a camera (214) and a laser (216), wherein the camera (214) is configured to measure the size of the drilling fragments and gravel (218).

3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an RFID transmitter (230) connected to the structure (222), which is configured to read RFID tags.

4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises one or more motors (224), wherein one or more motors (224) are connected to the conveyor belt (202) and are configured to operate the conveyor belt (202).

5. System according to claim 4, characterized in that the information handling system (204) is further configured to operate one or more engines Petition 870260046548, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 8 / 13 2 / 3 (224) based, at least in part, on information from the imaging system (136).

6. System for measuring drilling fragments and cuttings, characterized in that it comprises: - an actuator table (400) disposed below an agitator (200), the agitator (200) disposing of the drilling fragments and cuttings (218) on the actuator table (400); - an imaging system (136) connected to the actuator table (400) by a structure (222), the structure (222) positioning the imaging system (136) to form a field of view (220) on the actuator table (400) with the imaging system (136); - an information handling system (204) configured to operate the agitator (200) and the actuator table (400); and - one or more calibration blocks (228), wherein one or more calibration blocks (228) are of different sizes and wherein one or more calibration blocks (228) are connected to the actuator table (400) and include an RFID tag.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the imaging system (136) comprises a camera (214) and a laser (216), wherein the camera (214) is configured to measure the size of the drilling fragments and gravel (218).

8. System according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises an RFID transmitter (230), connected to the structure (222), which is configured to read RFID tags.

9. System according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises an actuator system (402) connected to the actuator table (400), wherein the actuator system (402) includes a piston (404).

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the information handling system (204) is further configured to operate the actuator system (402) based, at least in part, on information from the imaging system (136).

11. Method for identifying the size of drilling fragments and cuttings characterized by comprising: - dropping drilling fragments and cuttings (218) onto a conveyor belt (202) from an agitator (200); Petition 870260046548, dated 05 / 15 / 2026, page 9 / 13 3 / 3 - operating the conveyor belt (202) to move the drilling fragments and cuttings (218) through a field of view (220); - visualizing the drilling fragments and cuttings (218) in the field of view (220) with an imaging system (136); and - sizing the drilling fragments and cuttings (218) based, at least in part, on one or more calibration blocks (228) attached to the conveyor belt (202), wherein one or more calibration blocks (228) comprise an RFID tag.

12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the imaging system (136) comprises a camera (214) and a laser (216).

13. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises identifying one or more calibration blocks (228) by means of the RFID tag with an RFID transmitter (230).

14. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises controlling a conveyor belt speed (202) with an information handling system (204).

15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the speed of the conveyor belt (202) is based, at least in part, on the drilling fragments and gravel (218) within the field of view (220).

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