Heated Vacuum Slurry Box for Freezing and Space-Limited Well Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vacuum tanks for transporting drill cuttings face challenges in cold climates due to freezing issues and space constraints at oil and gas well sites, with existing heating solutions being inefficient and causing unnecessary wear on equipment during warm months.
Innovation Solution
A self-contained, portable, heated vacuum slurry box with a vertical tailgate and stacking capabilities, equipped with a mechanical bay for a power unit that can be easily removed, and jacketed openings to prevent freezing, allowing for efficient transportation and compact storage, and featuring quick disconnect connectors to reduce equipment wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating functions are provided to prevent freezing in cold climates, then the drill cuttings can be transported without freezing, but the equipment suffers unnecessary wear during warm months when heating is not needed
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed to be dynamically adjustable and removable. The power unit can be completely removed from the mechanical bay during warm months using quick disconnect connectors, and the heating can be selectively applied only to areas where freezing is a risk. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt to seasonal conditions, providing heating when needed and eliminating it when not needed, thereby preventing unnecessary equipment wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system is segmented into separate components: the power unit, the heating elements, and the insulated tank. The power unit can be removed independently using quick disconnect connectors, allowing the heating function to be separated from the main vacuum tank system. This segmentation enables selective removal of the heating component during warm months while retaining the core vacuum tank functionality.
2Ease of operation
If traditional swing doors are used for unloading, then the unloading process is simple, but additional lateral room is required which is not available at confined well sites
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a traditional swing door that opens laterally, the invention uses a vertical tailgate that opens upward. This inverts the conventional door opening direction, allowing the vacuum tank to be unloaded in confined spaces without requiring additional lateral room. The vertical opening mechanism maintains ease of operation while adapting to the spatial constraints of well sites.
3Reliability
If multiple vacuum tanks are stored at the well site, then the function of the well site is not impeded, but the limited space at the site is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum tank is designed with integrated nesting capabilities, allowing multiple tanks to be stacked vertically one inside another or placed in compact configurations. The tank structure includes features that enable efficient stacking and space-saving storage arrangements, reducing the ground space required while maintaining the ability to have multiple tanks available for continuous operation at the well site.
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
Enables efficient transportation and unloading of drill cuttings in cold climates while minimizing equipment wear by maintaining material temperature and allowing for compact storage and easy disassembly for efficient use of space at well sites.
Implementation Method 1
provide heat energy to keep the drill cuttings from freezing
Implementation Method 2
The tank is insulated to maintain a temperature above freezing
Implementation Method 3
The vacuum can cause material such as drilling cuttings to be pulled into the portable tank
Implementation Method 4
The vacuum can cause material such as drilling cuttings to be pulled into the portable tank
Implementation Method 5
warm material in the interior of the tank heating air, to cause expansion and therefore increased air pressure in the enclosed space of the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A heated portable vacuum slurry box for efficiently storing and transporting material including drill cuttings from gas and oil well sites. The slurry box generally includes a vacuum tank, a structure attached to the tank, a mechanical bay, a vertical tailgate, and a hook for pulling the slurry box onto a vehicle. The features allow for the slurry box to be meet space restriction requirements at a well site while as well as function within the environmental conditions of winter and summer seasons. Jacketed openings, stack mount systems, and a removable power unit allow for efficient use of the slurry box.