Assembly for separating drilling cuttings from drilling mud and for transferring the drilling cuttings into a transport container.

摘要

A method of removing drill cuttings from an oil and gas well drilling platform includes the steps of separating the drill cuttings from the well drilling fluid on the drilling platform so that the drilling fluids can be recycled into the well bore during drilling operations. The cuttings are transmitted via gravity flow to a materials trough having an interior defined by sidewalls and a bottom portion. The drill cuttings are suctioned from the bottom portion of the trough interior with a first suction line having an intake portion that is positioned at the materials trough bottom. Drill cuttings are transmitted via the suction line at flow velocities in excess of 100 feet per second to a holding tank that has an access opening. A vacuum is formed within the holding tank interior using a blower that is in fluid communication with the tank interior via a second vacuum line. Liquids and solids flowing in the vacuum lines are separated from the vacuum lines before the liquids and solids can enter the blower. The blower is powered with an electric motor and the tank interior is sealed after being filled with drill cuttings to be disposed of. The tank is configured to be emptied via gravity flow at a remote disposal site by opening the access openings and allowing the cuttings to flow via gravity from the tank interior access openings.