GB1111065A - Vortex type re-conditioner and re-conditioning method for used drilling mud - Google Patents

Abstract

1,111,065. Centrifugal separators; continuous mixing apparatus. VORTEX TOOL & MANUFACTURING CO. 15 April, 1966, No. 16518/66. Headings B1C and B2P. [Also in Division El] In an apparatus for reconditioning used drilling mud, Fig. 3, the mud is pumped upwardly via an inlet 11 at the lower end of a vessel 9 by means of an impeller 28 mounted on a perforated hollow shaft 24 which is driven by a motor 27. The mud is mixed and agitated and moved centrifugally outwardly by means of the impeller 28 and is further mixed and agitated by means of perforated flat and conical discs 31, 32 mounted on the shaft 24, the perforations in the discs gradually diminishing in size from the periphery inwards Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown). Due to the effect of the centrifugal force, undesirable sands present in the mud are thrown against the wall of the vessel and, as they reach the top of the section 10 of the vessel they aredeflected by means of an annular deflector 16 into a valved discharge pipe 19. Occluded gases present in the mud pass through holes 29 into the interior of the shaft and, via holes 24, out of the shaft into the section 12 of the vessel from which they are discharged to atmosphere by means of a fan 36 and a pipe 23. The reconditioned mud passes through the opening in the deflector 16 and is discharged through a pipe 21. In use, the section 10 of the vessel is submerged to a level ML in a pit containing used mud, Fig. 1. One or more additives may be mixed with the mud as it enters the vessel inlet 11 by being fed from a hopper 40 via piping 41, 42, the feed being preferably enhanced by a rotating screw 43 in the pipe 42.