Importance

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Abstract

A continuous-belt drilling mud separation unit is removably mounted in a box-like housing disposed in the flow path of drilling mud or drilling fluids and is operated by a motor on the housing. The separation unit includes a generally rectangular frame, a tensioning system, and a wide continuous belt in the form of a mesh screen, chain, self-cleaning chain link belt, or combination chain link belt and wire mesh screen which extends around rollers or sprockets and is driven in a continuous loop moving along the longitudinal axis of the frame. As drilling mud or drilling fluids are conducted onto the moving belt, liquids and particles smaller than the openings in the belt pass through the openings and liquids and particles larger than the openings are transported on the moving belt and are discharged off of one end as the belt completes its path. The drilling mud separation system is installed upstream from a conventional solids control equipment, such as shale shakers, and removes large amounts of large drill solids and gumbo from the drilling mud or drilling fluid prior to the drilling fluid or drill mud flowing to the conventional solids control equipment. By removing large drill solids and gumbo from the drilling mud or drilling fluid, the present apparatus improves the efficiency and performance and reduces the cost of operating and maintaining the conventional solids control equipment.

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First Claim