US4208285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Drill cuttings disposal system with good environmental and ecological properties
Assignee: MI Drilling Fluids Co
•
Filing: 1978-10-20
•
Granted: 1980-06-17
•
Expires: 1998-10-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for removing volatile materials from drill cuttings by vaporizing the materials on the cuttings in a non-oxidative atmosphere.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Sample, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:54
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/065; E21B21/066; E21B41/00; E21B41/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for the thermal treatment of oil well drill cuttings which transforms them from a wet oily condition to a clean substantially oil-free condition, comprising means for separating the cuttings from a drilling fluid, means for feeding said separated cuttings to a vented heating chamber having a non-oxidative environment, means for moving said separated cuttings through said chamber, means for heating said cuttings to a temperature of 500° to 700° F. to vaporize the volatile materials therein, and convert the hydrocarbon residue on and in the cuttings to a form sufficiently pollutionfree as to be fit for direct disposal in water or on land, means for collecting said heated cuttings and, means for collecting volatile materials for discharge to the atmosphere
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for the thermal treatment of oil well drill cuttings which transforms them from a wet oily condition to a clean substantially oil-free condition, comprising means for separating the cuttings from a drilling fluid, means for feeding said separated cuttings to a vented heating chamber having a non-oxidative environment, means for moving said separated cuttings through said chamber, means for heating said cuttings to a temperature of 500° to 700° F. to vaporize the volatile materials therein, and convert the hydrocarbon residue on and in the cuttings to a form sufficiently pollutionfree as to be fit for direct disposal in water or on land, means for collecting said heated cuttings and, means for collecting volatile materials for discharge to the atmosphere
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which said separating means is an open mesh screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which said feeding means is a screw conveyor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which the moving means are rotating, hollow screw helices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which the heating means is a non-flammable, heat-transfer fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which the means for collecting the heated cuttings is an air lock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which the means for collecting the volatiles is a vapor-scrubber/condenser system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus of claim 1, in which the separating means is a gravity vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3693951A
Cited
US3821026A
Cited
US3860019A
Cited
US3766997A
Cited
US3901254A
Cited
US4040866A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-06-17 | 1983-12-17 | 1984-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-06-17 | 1987-12-17 | 1988-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-06-17 | 1991-12-17 | 1992-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |