Suction Sieving Apparatus for Drilling Mud Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sieving apparatuses, such as shale shakers, face issues with noise, vibration transmission, frequent cloth replacement, and exposure to hazardous evaporation during drilling fluid separation, especially when dealing with high viscosity drilling mud from sandstone formations, where solid particles agglomerate and adhere strongly.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus utilizing a suction device to create a fluid flow through the sieving element, with a vacuum pump and air supply to separate drilling mud from particles, and incorporating features like ultrasound and cleaning nozzles to enhance separation efficiency and safety, while minimizing noise and vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional shale shakers are used for sieving drilling fluid, then solid particles can be separated from the fluid, but the device transmits substantial vibrations to the base and generates high noise levels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidvibration and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies controlled mechanical vibration through a vibrating element that oscillates at specific frequencies to facilitate particle separation through the筛布, while the damping element absorbs excess vibrations to prevent transmission to the base, thus resolving the contradiction between separation efficiency and vibration/note control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The damping element acts as an intermediary between the vibrating sieving system and the base, absorbing and dissipating vibration energy to prevent harmful vibrations and noise from being transmitted to the surrounding environment while maintaining effective separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the sieving cloth is moved relative to the material to achieve sieving effect, then particles can be separated, but the sieving cloth is subjected to considerable wear and must be replaced frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidsieving cloth service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The vibrating element induces oscillatory motion in the sieving cloth, creating dynamic separation conditions that reduce particle adhesion and minimize wear on the cloth surface, thereby extending its service life while maintaining separation efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The periodic vibration applied to the sieving cloth creates alternating periods of high and low stress, preventing continuous wear in the same locations and reducing overall material degradation, thus extending the cloth's operational lifespan

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If high viscosity drilling fluid is used for drilling sandstone formations, then drilling can proceed, but conventional sieving apparatuses cannot provide enough gravitational forces to separate the drilling mud from solid particles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling fluid viscosity adaptationVSAvoidseparation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The vibrating element generates oscillatory forces that supplement gravitational forces, enabling effective separation of solid particles from high viscosity drilling fluid by creating dynamic motion that overcomes the increased bonding strength between mud and particles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #18Mechanical vibration

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the separation process by introducing vibration frequency and amplitude as additional separation mechanisms, allowing effective processing of fluids with varying viscosities including high viscosity drilling muds that cannot be separated by gravity alone

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If shale shakers are used for sieving, then drilling fluid can be cleaned, but hazardous substances evaporate to the immediate environment exposing personnel to health risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrilling fluid cleaningVSAvoidhazardous evaporation exposure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The enclosure with sealed walls acts as a protective shell that contains the sieving process, preventing hazardous evaporation from reaching the environment and personnel while maintaining effective drilling fluid cleaning operations inside the enclosed space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure creates a controlled environment that isolates hazardous substances from the external atmosphere, effectively protecting personnel from exposure while allowing the cleaning process to proceed normally within the sealed space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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 apparatus achieves efficient separation of drilling mud and particles, reduces maintenance needs, and encapsulates hazardous vapors for controlled disposal, improving operational safety and reducing environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

an apparatus utilizing a suction device to create a fluid flow through the sieving element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a fluid flow produced by a fluid-flow-generating device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

a vacuum pump and air supply to separate drilling mud from particles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 4

incorporating features like ultrasound and cleaning nozzles to enhance separation efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 5

cleaning nozzles to enhance separation efficiency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 6

encapsulates hazardous vapors for controlled disposal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical containment: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP1896195B1Apparatus for sieving and fluid separation and a method of using same
Publication Date: 2014.07.16 VIRDRILL AS
  • EP1896195B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1896195B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1896195B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention describes an apparatus (1) for the sieving and fluid separation of a material containing fractions of a solid and fluid, the material being placed on an upper side of at least one sieving element (13) , and the apparatus (1) being provided with at least one fluid-flow- generating device (5) for the production of a fluid flow through a portion of the material-carrying sieving element (13) . The invention also describes a method of using the apparatus (1) .