DEWATERING OF DRILLING MUD USING A FILTER PRESS

摘要

A method of separating a mixture of liquid and insoluble solids in a filter press may comprise: diluting the mixture; adding a flocculating agent to the diluted mixture and stirring to form a chemically processed mixture; pumping the chemically processed mixture into a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press to form a filter cake, wherein the chamber is lined by filter cloths, and wherein, during the pumping, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; heating the filter cake in the chamber, wherein, during the heating, filtrate is forced through the filter cloths and out of the chamber; and releasing dried filter cake from the chamber. During the heating, the chamber may be vacuum pumped to facilitate removal of water vapor. Furthermore, before the diluting, additional solids may be added to the mixture. The method may be used to dewater drilling mud, and mixtures of drilling mud with drill cuttings. A system for dewatering a mixture of drilling mud and drill cuttings may comprise: a mixing vessel for mixing together the drilling mud and drill cuttings to form the mixture; a filter press for dewatering the chemically processed mixture; a pump for pumping the mixture from the mixing vessel into the filter press; and a heater for heating the mixture in the filter press.