US3895927A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the degassification of drilling muds
Assignee: Well Control Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-14
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Granted: 1975-07-22
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Expires: 1993-05-14
Abstract
Abstract Drilling mud degassification apparatus having baffle plates in a vacuum tank over which thin films of mud are degassed as they flow downward to a receiving area of the tank. Venturi-type dual ejector apparatus is located in a sump in the tank to remove degassed mud and to draw a vacuum on the upper portion of the tank.
Inventors
- 👤 Sr Gerald E Bournham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:06
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D19/00; B01D19/0021; E; E21; E21B; E21B21/00; E21B21/06; E21B21/063; E21B21/067
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A SYSTEM FOR DEGASSIFICATION OR DRILLING MUD COMPRISING A VACUUM TANK DEFINING A DEGASSIFICATION AREA IN THE UPPER PORTION AND A MUD RECEIVING AREA IN THE LOWER PORTION, MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID DEGRASSIFICATION AREA FOR DRAWING A CACUUM ON SAID TANK TO EFFECT A SEPARATION OF ENTRAPPED GAS FROM SAID MUD, A MUD OUTLET CONDUIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID MUD RECEIVING AREA, A MUD INLET CONDUIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID DEGASSIFICATION AREA, AND DENSITY SENSING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING MUD FLOW INTO SAID TANK, A PORTION OF SAID DENSITY SENSING MEANS PROVIDING MEANS TO THROTTLE SAID MUD INLET CONDUIT TO VARY THE RATE OF MUD FLOW THERETHROUGH.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
107 words
A SYSTEM FOR DEGASSIFICATION OR DRILLING MUD COMPRISING A VACUUM TANK DEFINING A DEGASSIFICATION AREA IN THE UPPER PORTION AND A MUD RECEIVING AREA IN THE LOWER PORTION, MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID DEGRASSIFICATION AREA FOR DRAWING A CACUUM ON SAID TANK TO EFFECT A SEPARATION OF ENTRAPPED GAS FROM SAID MUD, A MUD OUTLET CONDUIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID MUD RECEIVING AREA, A MUD INLET CONDUIT IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID DEGASSIFICATION AREA, AND DENSITY SENSING MEANS FOR CONTROLLING MUD FLOW INTO SAID TANK, A PORTION OF SAID DENSITY SENSING MEANS PROVIDING MEANS TO THROTTLE SAID MUD INLET CONDUIT TO VARY THE RATE OF MUD FLOW THERETHROUGH.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as defined by claim 1 and including control means for said vacuum drawing means adapted to decrease the vacuum in said tank when the mud therein rises above a predetermined level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said density sensing means comprises a valve having an element adapted to move away from a seat in the valve a distance dependent on the denisty of the mud flowing therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system as defined by claim 3 wherein said mud inlet conduit has a vertical portion upstream of its connection with the vacuum tank, and the valve element is adapted to float in the mud at a level responsive to the relative densities of the valve element and the mud.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined by claim 4, and including means for changing the density of the valve element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The flow control valve of claim 5 wherein said means for varying said element density with respect to said flfow stream density comprises a lever supporting said valve element on one end and pivoted about a mid-point, a control weight slidably positioned on said lever on the other end, whereby movement of said weight varies the effective density of said valve element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The flow control valve of claim 6 wherein said lever extends through the body of said valve, and wherein said pivot point is a sealable opening in said valve body, said weight being outside said valve body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as defined by claim 1 wherein said mud inlet conduit extends from a level below said mud receiving area upwardly to the point of communication with said degassification area.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as defined by claim 8 and including control means for said vacuum drawing means adapted to decrease the vacuum in said tank when the mud therein rises above a predetermined level.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as defined by claim 9 wherein said density sensing means comprises a valve in the upwardly extending portion of the mud inlet conduit, said valve including a seat and an element adapted to float in the mud flowing through the valve at a position relative to the seat responsive to the relative densities of the valve element and the mud.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined by claim 10, and including means for changing the density of the valve element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-21 | 1979-01-20 | 1979-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-21 | 1983-01-20 | 1983-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-21 | 1987-01-20 | 1987-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |