Sieve Device with Secondary Filter for Drilling Mud

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sieve devices for untreated drilling mud, such as shale shakers, face challenges in detecting defects in screening cloths, leading to uncontrolled return of solid particles to the well, which can mix with reusable drilling liquid, causing operational disruptions and wear on equipment.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a secondary filter with a filter guard and bypass arrangement in the sieve device, allowing for controlled diversion of untreated drilling mud and early detection of filter damage through weight, volume, or pressure differential monitoring, ensuring continuous operation and maintaining the integrity of the drilling liquid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single filter device is used to separate drilling liquid from drill cuttings, then the separation function is provided, but the system cannot detect filter defects leading to uncontrolled particle return

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter integrityVSAvoidfilter system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into two independent parts: a primary filter device for separation and a secondary filter for monitoring. The secondary filter acts as an independent detection system that does not interfere with the primary separation function, allowing defect detection without compromising the main filtering operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary filter serves as an intermediary monitoring system between the primary filter and the drilling liquid flow. It indirectly detects primary filter defects by capturing particles that pass through the primary filter, providing defect detection without directly interfering with the primary separation function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If sampling is performed at set intervals by Mud-logger, then some detection is provided, but continuous monitoring is not achieved allowing uncontrolled particle return

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection response time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary filter provides continuous monitoring of drill cuttings in real-time as the drilling liquid flows through the system. This continuous action replaces intermittent sampling, ensuring immediate detection of filter defects without time delays between sampling intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary filter creates a feedback mechanism where particles passing through the primary filter are immediately captured and can trigger alerts. This real-time feedback allows for immediate detection and response to filter defects, eliminating the delayed detection inherent in periodic sampling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If an additional stationary filter is added to detect defects, then defect detection is enabled, but the system stops supply of untreated drilling mud causing upstream process problems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedefect detection capabilityVSAvoidprocess continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary filter acts as an intermediary monitoring system that detects defects without interrupting the main process flow. By positioning it in parallel and using it solely for detection purposes, the system can identify filter issues while maintaining continuous operation of the primary drilling mud processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary filter creates a copy or duplicate detection pathway that mirrors the primary filter's function for monitoring purposes only. This duplicate system allows defect detection without requiring interruption of the main drilling mud flow, as the secondary filter handles only a portion of the flow for detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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

The secondary filter and bypass system prevent operational disruptions by allowing controlled diversion of untreated drilling mud, reducing equipment wear, and ensuring the quality of the return drilling liquid, thereby maintaining process efficiency and extending the life of screening cloths.

Implementation Method 1

at least one secondary filter arranged to be able to separate drill cuttings from drilling liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a filter guard arranged in connection with the secondary filter; and a bypass arrangement which by means of the filter guard is arranged to be able to open for communication

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential monitoring: Pressure Drop

Data Source

PatentEP2593632B1Sieve device for untreated drilling mud and a method of using same
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 VIRDRILL AS
  • EP2593632B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2593632B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2593632B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a sieve device (1) for untreated drilling mud being brought up from a well and a method for use of the sieve device (1), where the sieve device (1) is provided with a filter device (3) arranged to separate a share of the drilling liquid from the drill cuttings, and where the sieve device (1) is connected to a first outlet arranged to be able to receive the drill cuttings held back on the filter device (3), and a second outlet (11) arranged to be able to receive the drilling liquid flowing through the filter device (3) and directed to the second outlet (11) via a channel (15), as the sieve device (1) is further provided with: - at least one secondary filter (13) arranged to be able to separate drill cuttings from drilling liquid, where the secondary filter (13) is arranged in said channel (15) in such a way as to lead drilling liquid through the secondary filter (13) and on to said second outlet (11); - a filter guard (17) arranged in connection with the secondary filter (13); and - a bypass arrangement (19) by means of which the filter guard (17) is arranged to be able to open for communication of untreated drilling mud held back on the secondary filter (13), into said second outlet (11) for drilling liquid.