Inclined Perforated Drill Cutting Sampler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting drill cuttings samples from circulation fluid often result in loss of samples due to overflow, contamination, and non-representative sampling, especially during high-volume drilling operations, where larger cuttings are not accurately screened out, leading to incomplete data on rock formations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a frame, an inclined perforated member, and a removable collector that mounts over the downstream end of a vibratory screen, allowing only pre-selected sized cuttings to pass through while larger ones are rejected, with a sprayer to clean and separate the desired cuttings efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If drill cuttings are collected in a container placed in the flow from the shale shaker, then samples can be obtained for geological evaluation, but samples are lost due to overflow when the container fills to the top
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the cutting flow by using a perforated plate with multiple openings, distributing cuttings across multiple collection points simultaneously. This prevents overflow at any single location and enables continuous sampling without sample loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-container collection method to a multi-level collection system with cuttings falling through vertical perforations into a collection pan below, adding a vertical dimension to the sampling process and eliminating overflow constraints.
2Quantity of substance
If a container is used to collect drill cuttings samples, then samples can be gathered for analysis, but contamination occurs when fluids are accidentally introduced into the container
Solution Approach 1:
The perforated plate acts as an intermediary element that separates the shale shaker environment from the collection pan. It allows cuttings to pass through while blocking fluid contamination, protecting the sample integrity during collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection pan functions as a contained receptacle that isolates collected cuttings from external fluid contamination sources, providing a protected environment for sample accumulation.
3Quantity of substance
If drill cuttings accumulate in a collector underneath the shale shaker, then samples can be collected, but the samples are not representative when an assistant scoops cuttings from the top or digs into the contents
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service sampling where the collection pan automatically accumulates a representative mixture of cuttings through the perforated plate. The uniform distribution through multiple perforations eliminates the need for manual scooping or digging, ensuring the collected sample is inherently representative of the drilling interval.
4Quantity of substance
If larger cuttings are not screened out during collection, then all cuttings are captured, but the sampling efficiency decreases and data completeness on rock formations is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The perforated plate provides local quality control by allowing smaller, representative cuttings to pass through the perforations into the collection pan while larger cavings are diverted away. This local filtering at the collection point ensures efficient sampling of the desired cutting size range.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures uniform sampling of drill cuttings, reducing sample loss and contamination, providing a representative and efficient collection of cuttings for analysis, even during high-volume drilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
a frame, an inclined perforated member... mountable to, so as to cooperate with, a downstream end of a vibratory screen over which drill cuttings are passed in a downstream flow direction so that vibratory motion of the vibrating screen is transmitted at least in part to the frame
Implementation Method 2
The sprayer is mounted adjacent the upstream end of the planar member so as to direct fluid spray downstream along the planar member and over the perforations
Implementation Method 3
The perforations are sized to screen out those cuttings exceeding a predetermined size and to allow to pass through the perforations those cuttings equal to or less than the predetermined size
Data Source
AI summary
A device for sampling drill cuttings includes a frame, an inclined perforated member mounted on the frame, a sprayer for washing cuttings down over the perforations, and a removable open-topped cuttings collector mounted under the perforated member, the perforated member cooperating with the downstream end of a vibratory screen over which the cuttings pass before translating onto the perforated screen.