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A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing and counting artificial drill cuttings from a returning drill mud containing a mixture of both artificial and natural drill cuttings. The artificial drill cuttings are injected into the drilling fluid and supplied to a drill string and have magnetic

A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing and counting artificial drill cuttings from a returning drill mud containing a mixture of both artificial and natural drill cuttings. The artificial drill cuttings are injected into the drilling fluid and supplied to a drill string and have magnetic properties, while the natural drill cuttings do not. A rotary magnetic drum having a first endless belt travelling therearound receives the cuttings mixture and the magnetic artificial cuttings adhere to the first belt by being attracted to the drum, while the natural drill cuttings do not, thereby permitting separation of the two. The artificial cuttings are removed from the drum by a second endless belt cooperating with the first endless belt to define a nip between them. The belts positively engage with and remove the artificial cuttings from the drum.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An apparatus for separating artificial drill cuttings from a mixture containing artificial drill cuttings having predetermined magnetic properties and other drill cuttings not having said predetermined properties, comprising: conveyor means including a first endless belt positioned for carryin

1. An apparatus for separating artificial drill cuttings from a mixture containing artificial drill cuttings having predetermined magnetic properties and other drill cuttings not having said predetermined properties, comprising: conveyor means including a first endless belt positioned for carrying magnetic artificial cuttings and non magnetic cutting on its upper surface and feeding said mixture to one end of the first belt; a rotating drum at said one end of said first belt about which said first belt passes, said rotating drum being magnetized over at least a portion of its circumferential peripheral surface, said drum attracting and holding said artificial drill cuttings to said first belt by means of its magnetization and not holding said other drill cuttings to said first endless belt so that said other drill cuttings fall off the end of the first belt as it passes over the drum; means for collecting said other drill cuttings which are not held to said first belt; a second endless belt positioned so as to carry the artificial drill cuttings and extending generally parallel to said first belt over at least part of its length and forming a nip with said first endless belt at a position adjacent said drum for carrying the artificial drill cuttings between it and said first endless belt, and means spaced from said drum for collecting artificial drill cuttings carried from said first endless belt. 2. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising means for counting the artificial drill cuttings removed from said drum. 3. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said second endless belt is positioned and arranged to receive said artificial drill cuttings removed from said first endless belt and to transport them to said collecting means. 4. An apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a separator apparatus for separating a portion of said natural drill cuttings from said mixture and for applying the remainder of said mixture to said conveyor means. 5. An apparatus as in claim 4, including a borehole for supplying said mixture and further comprising: means for supplying said mixture as received from said borehole and carried by a drilling mud; mud separation means for separating said mixture from said drilling mud; and means for supplying said mixture to said separator apparatus. 6. An apparatus as in claim 4, wherein said second endless belt revolves about at least two spaced rollers, one of said rollers having a fixed axis, the other of said rollers having an axis supported by a pivotal arm, means for biasing said pivotal arm such that said other roller is moved toward said first endless belt. 7. An apparatus as in claim 6, wherein said biasing means on said pivot arm comprises a counterweight. 8. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said means for collecting comprises a rotary tray apparatus rotatable about a center axis thereof and disposed to receive said artificial drill cuttings removed from said first endless belt. 9. An apparatus as in claim 8, wherein said rotary tray apparatus comprises a first outer circular tray and a second inner circular tray removably mounted within said outer circular tray. 10. An apparatus as in claim 9, wherein said rotary tray apparatus further comprises a motor and drive means coupling the output of said motor to drive said outer rotary tray. 11. An apparatus as in claim 10, wherein said outer rotary tray comprises a bottom and a circular upwardly directed sidewall having slots provided in the upper edge thereof, said drive means comprising means coupled to said motor for engaging with said slots to drive said outer rotary tray in rotation. 12. An apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a wiper positioned and arranged for leveling artificial drill cuttings collected on said rotary tray apparatus. 13. An apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the entire circumferential peripheral surface of said drum is magnetized. 14. A method for separating artificial drill cuttings from a mixture containing artificial drill cuttings having predetermined magnetic properties and other drill cuttings not having said predetermined magnetic properties, comprising: conveying said mixture by a first endless belt to a rotating drum at one end of said first endless belt; passing said first endless belt about the outer circumferential surface of said rotating drum, said outer circumferential surface being magnetized over at least a portion of its extent, said outer circumferential surface of said drum attracting and holding said artificial drill cuttings to said first endless belt by means of its magnetization and not holding said other drill cuttings to said first endless belt; collecting said other drill cuttings which are not held to said first endless belt; removing artificial drill cuttings held to said first endless belt by said drum from said drum by means of a second endless belt extending parallel to said first endless belt over at least a portion of its length and contacting with said first endless belt at a position adjacent said drum by carrying said artificial cutting between said two belts; collecting artificial drill cuttings removed from said drum from said second endless belt. 15. A method as in claim 14, further comprising counting the artificial drill cuttings removed from said drum. 16. A method as in claim 14, wherein said second endless belt receives said artificial cuttings removed from said first endless belt and transports them for collection. 17. A method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of preliminarily separating a portion of said natural drill cuttings from said mixture and conveying the remainder of said mixture to said rotating drum. 18. A method as in claim 14, further comprising: supplying a drilling mud containing said mixture; separating said mixture from said drilling mud; and separating a portion of said natural drill cuttings from said mixture and conveying the remainder of said mixture to said rotating drum. 19. A method as in claim 14, wherein said second endless belt revolves about at least two spaced rollers, one of said rollers having a fixed axis, the other of said rollers having an axis supported by a pivotal arm, and further comprising the step of biasing said pivotal arm such that said other roller is moved toward said first endless belt. 20. A method as in claim 14, wherein the entirety of said outer circumferential surface is magnetized.