Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for drying, decontaminating and incinerating oil well cuttings containing water and hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising: a. a base portion; b. at least one horizontally disposed cylindrical chamber mounted on the base portion, the chamber having a continuous wall defining a continuous bore therethrough and a first end for receiving the wet oil well cuttings thereinto; c. auger means disposed coaxially withand along the length of the chamber bore for moving the cuttings from the first end to the second end of the chamber; d. heating means, positioned radially around the wall of the chamber along its entire length, for providing heat within the chamber to a temperature of at least 750 degrees F. for incinerating the wet oil field cuttings moving through the chamber, the heating means including a plurality of electrical heating rods disposed within the internal wall of the drying chamber and positioned radially around the chamber wall; e. heat conducting means comprising a continuous layer over the chamber wall forming a composite layer with the wall of the drying chamber that is positioned between the heating rods and the wall of the drying chamber for providing uniform conduction of heat from the rods into the chamber along substantially the entire length of the chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
209 words
An apparatus for drying, decontaminating and incinerating oil well cuttings containing water and hydrocarbons, the apparatus comprising: a. a base portion; b. at least one horizontally disposed cylindrical chamber mounted on the base portion, the chamber having a continuous wall defining a continuous bore therethrough and a first end for receiving the wet oil well cuttings thereinto; c. auger means disposed coaxially withand along the length of the chamber bore for moving the cuttings from the first end to the second end of the chamber; d. heating means, positioned radially around the wall of the chamber along its entire length, for providing heat within the chamber to a temperature of at least 750 degrees F. for incinerating the wet oil field cuttings moving through the chamber, the heating means including a plurality of electrical heating rods disposed within the internal wall of the drying chamber and positioned radially around the chamber wall; e. heat conducting means comprising a continuous layer over the chamber wall forming a composite layer with the wall of the drying chamber that is positioned between the heating rods and the wall of the drying chamber for providing uniform conduction of heat from the rods into the chamber along substantially the entire length of the chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus in claim 1, further providing means communicating with each of the drying chambers for allowing exhausting of gas during the drying, decontaminating and incinerating process.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus in claim 1, further comprising a means for drawing air through the drying chamber during the drying process.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus in claim 1, wherein each of the auger means is provided with a variable motor for varying the speed of the cuttings as the cuttings are moved through each of the drying chambers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the heat conducting means includes a graphite layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the graphite layer includes a graphite cement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the graphite layer is a graphite paint.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for varying the speed of movement of cuttings through the chamber bore.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of horizontally disposed drying chambers mounted upon a common support base, each chamber having a bore occupied by an auger.