US4387514A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for drying oil well drill cuttings
Assignee: MI Drilling Fluids Co
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Filing: 1981-04-06
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Granted: 1983-06-14
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Expires: 2001-04-06
Abstract
Abstract A method for drying oil well drill cuttings to eliminate pollution causing organic material from the cuttings includes conveying the drill cuttings bearing the organic material to a heat transfer zone. Large quantities of relatively warm fixed gas are supplied to the heat transfer zone, with the gas functioning as a heat transfer medium. The gas is mixed with the drill cuttings to vaporize water and pollution causing organic material therefrom, with the temperature of the drill cuttings subsequently increasing.
Inventors
- 👤 James N. McCaskill, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:15
CPC Classifications
F; F26; F26B; F26B3/00; F26B3/02; F26B3/06; F26B3/08; F26B3/092; F26B3/0923; E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/065; E21B21/066; E21B41/00; E21B41/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for drying oil well drill cuttings to eliminate pollution causing volatile organic material including hyrocarbons from the cuttings comprising the steps of: conveying the drill cuttings bearing the organic material to a heat transfer zone; pre-heating large quantities of relatively warm combustion supporting gas acting as a heat transfer medium to a temperature less than the ignition point of said hydrocarbons; supplying large quantities of the relatively warm gas to the heat transfer zone to form a diluted gas-organic material mixture to prevent the formation of a combustible mixture; and directly mixing the gas with the drill cuttings to rapidly vaporize water and pollution causing volatile organic material from the drill cuttings and subsequently increase the temperature of the cuttings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for drying oil well drill cuttings to eliminate pollution causing volatile organic material including hyrocarbons from the cuttings comprising the steps of: conveying the drill cuttings bearing the organic material to a heat transfer zone; pre-heating large quantities of relatively warm combustion supporting gas acting as a heat transfer medium to a temperature less than the ignition point of said hydrocarbons; supplying large quantities of the relatively warm gas to the heat transfer zone to form a diluted gas-organic material mixture to prevent the formation of a combustible mixture; and directly mixing the gas with the drill cuttings to rapidly vaporize water and pollution causing volatile organic material from the drill cuttings and subsequently increase the temperature of the cuttings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein: the conveying step includes vibrating the drill cuttings; and the supplying step includes delivering the gas at a substantially high velocity whereby individual particles of drill cuttings are fluidized upon intermixing with the relatively warm temperature high velocity fixed gas.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claims 1 or 2 wherein the gas is air.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for drying oil well drill cuttings to eliminate pollution causing organic material including hydrocarbons from the cuttings comprising the steps of: conveying the drill cuttings bearing the organic material to a heat transfer zone; vibrating the cuttings in the heat transfer zone; pre-heating large quantities of relatively warm air acting as heat transfer medium to a temperature less than the ignition point of said hydrocarbons; supplying large quantities of the relatively warm temperature air at a high velocity to the heat transfer zone to form a diluted gas-organic material mixture to prevent the formation of a combustible mixture; and directly intermixing the air with the drill cuttings whereby water and pollution causing organic material are vaporized and thereafter entrained in the air stream exiting from the heat transfer zone.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for drying oil well drill cuttings to eliminate pollution causing organic material including hydrocarbons from the cuttings comprising the steps of: conveying the drill cuttings bearing the organic material to a heat transfer zone; vibrating the cuttings in the heat transfer zone; pre-heating large quantities of relatively warm air acting as heat transfer medium to a temperature less than the ignition point of said hydrocarbons; supplying large quantities of the relatively warm temperature air at a high velocity to the heat transfer zone to form a diluted gas-organic material mixture to prevent the formation of a combustible mixture; and directly intermixing the air with the drill cuttings whereby water and pollution causing organic material are vaporized and thereafter entrained in the air stream exiting from the heat transfer zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the temperature of the air is maintained below the ignition temperature of the entrained organics to prevent ignition of the air-vaporous organic material mixture.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 wherein the quantity of air supplied to the heat transfer zone is of a relatively large magnitude to dilute the air-vaporous organic material mixture to prevent an explosive mixture from being formed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-06-13 | 1986-12-13 | 1987-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-06-13 | 1990-12-13 | 1991-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-06-13 | 1994-12-13 | 1995-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |