초록 ▼

This disclosure sets out a method and apparatus for recovery of cesium formate in water solution after use in a drilling process where trash and other debris accumulate in the drilling fluid. It incorporates a first stage centrifuge, a second stage centrifuge and a membrane separator serially connec

This disclosure sets out a method and apparatus for recovery of cesium formate in water solution after use in a drilling process where trash and other debris accumulate in the drilling fluid. It incorporates a first stage centrifuge, a second stage centrifuge and a membrane separator serially connected, and incorporates a feedback loop. A feedback loop iteratively redirects solids and heavy weight concentrate after processing and recycles it to enhance recovery by enhanced removal of cuttings and trash in the stream. In addition, cuttings and other solids removed from the fluid stream are introduced into a wash tank, mixed with water, and the cuttings are further processed to remove remnants of the cesium formate. These recovered cesium formate remnants are passed through an evaporator to regain the density loss attributable to the dilutive wash water. The cuttings can then be thrown away without throwing away the valuable cesium formate in the drilling solution.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of separating particles, cuttings and debris from the solvent in the cesium formate drilling fluid stream carrying particles in the solvent that requires no separation enhancing chemical processing, wherein the method comprises:(a) inputting the drilling fluid st

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A method of separating particles, cuttings and debris from the solvent in the cesium formate drilling fluid stream carrying particles in the solvent that requires no separation enhancing chemical processing, wherein the method comprises:(a) inputting the drilling fluid stream to the membrane separator at the controlled temperature and pressure and flow rate, wherein(i) said membrane separator comprises the first membrane layer of sintered first material and the second membrane layer of sintered second material attached to said first membrane layer, and(ii) said drilling fluid stream impinges first upon said first membrane layer;(b) fabricating said sintered first material and said second material with the pore size so that the filtrate including solvent can pass therethrough thereby removing and separating said filtrate and said solvent passing through the membrane separator from the drilling stream;(c) fabricating said sintered first material with the pore size so that the concentrate cannot pass through said first membrane layer thereby removing the concentrate from the drilling fluid stream;(d) passing the concentrate through a preliminary centrifugal separator and the to the membrane separator connected thereto by a feedback loop;(e) recovering solids from a flow of the concentrate not passing through the membrane separator by directing the concentrate into the wash tank and washing the concentrate with water to thereby remove cesium formate in the water solution.