Recycling centrifuge for the reduction of viscosity and gel strength of drilling fluids

Patent · Tue Oct 27 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5960684

Hartley, B G

The invention relates to process and apparatus for reducing the viscosity and gel strength of drilling fluids, or muds, without any necessity of introducing additives, or chemicals, into the mud. It embodies, in particular, (I) a process wherein a hydratable clay containing drilling fluid, or mud, is contacted with a revolving, or otherwise moving, surface at an angle of contact sufficient to impart adequate compression or sheer force, or both, to dewater the hydrated clay constituent, or constituents, of said drilling fluid, or mud; and (II) an apparatus, or inertial device, constituted generally of structure inclusive of a revolvable cone within the inner surface of which a stream or spray of said hydratable clay-containing drilling fluid, or mud, can be impinged or contacted, when the cone is revolved at sufficient speed, to impart adequate compression or sheer force, or both, to dewater the hydrated clay constituent, or constituents, and thereby reduce the viscosity and gel strength of the drilling fluid, or mud.

• Assignee: IFI; EDB-82-027074
• Patent Number(s): US 4297225
• OSTI ID: 5960684
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030300 -- Natural Gas-- Drilling
Production
& Processing
CENTRIFUGES
CLAYS
CONCENTRATORS
CONES
DRILLING EQUIPMENT
DRILLING FLUIDS
EQUIPMENT
FLUIDS
MINERALS
MOTION
MOTORS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
PUMPS
RECYCLING
REMOVAL
ROTATION
VISCOSITY
WATER REMOVAL
WELLS