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Centrifugal pump with screw pump accelerator and reverse flow vane

Centrifugal pump with screw pump accelerator and reverse flow vane description/claims

The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/867,161, filed Nov. 24, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present invention relates generally to centrifugal pumps. More particularly, the present invention relates to centrifugal pumps for fluids containing solids.

During the drilling of a well, mud is circulated down hole to carry away drill cuttings. On the surface the mud is recirculated in different tanks using pumping units for delivering the mud to de-silter and de-sander.

Pumping of such fluids in a consistent manner can be difficult, which may make sample collection difficult and adversely affect readings or analysis of the samples.

A pump of the present invention may be used to deliver mud to a sample catcher, which benefits from a consistent flow for analytical measurement on drilling cuttings contained in the mud.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for pumping drilling mud with cuttings collected from active mud systems to the necessary height of reservoir. Specifically the pumping is performed in the field from possum belly (or mud box) to the sample catcher. The invention is providing the means for compact, portable and flow quantity adjustable pumping device for confined space as possum belly on the shale shaker.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for pumping drilling fluid containing drill cuttings having a reverse vane pump, a screw pump, a centrifugal pump, a drive shaft common with the reverse vane pump, the screw pump, and the centrifugal pump, the drive shaft adapted to be rotatably driven by a motor.

Preferably the screw pump includes helical auger. Preferably the reverse vane pump includes a blade impeller, the blade impeller having a plurality of radial blades. Preferably the blades are mounted at an angle forming a pitch. Preferably the pitch is between about 15° and about 75°. More preferably the pitch is between about 30° and about 60°. Most preferably the pitch is substantially 45°.

Preferably the centrifugal pump includes a horizontal centrifugal impeller. Preferably the horizontal centrifugal impeller comprising a substantially planar wing mounted to an radial arm. Preferably the radial arm includes a twisted wing mounted at an arm angle. Preferably the arm angle is between about 15° and about 75°. More preferably the arm angle is between about 30° and about 60°. Most preferably the arm angle is substantially 45°.

Preferably the apparatus includes a common housing, housing the reverse vane pump, the screw pump, and the centrifugal pump, the common housing having an upper portion proximate the centrifugal pump and a lower portion proximate the reverse vane pump. Preferably the upper portion comprising a window, the window adapted to allow air into the common housing. Preferably the lower portion includes a screen or guard, adapted to restrict the flow of larger objects into the apparatus.

Preferably the lower portion includes a screw pump inlet, the screw pump inlet having an opening through the lower portion of the common housing and extending along at least a portion of the screw pump. Preferably, an adjustable lift assembly for regulating the depth of submersion of the apparatus into the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings is provided.

Preferably the apparatus is powered by a drive means. Preferably the drive means includes an electric motor or a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic power pack.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method for pumping drilling fluid containing drill cuttings including providing air into the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings for decreasing the density of the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings.

Preferably the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings and air are agitated or otherwise blended or mixed or circulated.

Preferably pressurized air is injected into the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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