Vapor extracting and separator cleaning apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments relate to an apparatus for separating solids from drilling fluid that includes a shaker having a screening surface onto which the fluid and solids are directed and a vibratory drive vibrating the screening surface. A cabinet includes a plurality of walls enclosing the shaker, a vapor extraction system for circulating clean air into the cabinet and vapors out of the cabinet, and a cleaning system including a plurality of nozzles for directing the cleaning fluid toward the shaker. Furthermore, embodiments relate to a method for extracting vapors and cleaning a shaker that includes enclosing the shaker in a cabinet. The cabinet includes a plurality of walls through which a fresh air inlet and a vapor outlet are disposed, a solids collection container having a solids outlet, a sump having a fluid exit passage in which a valve is disposed, and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with a cleaning fluid supply. Furthermore, the method connecting the vapor outlet to a fume extraction system, directing drilling fluid and solids onto a screening surface of the shaker, and discharging separated solids to a solids collection container. The solids collection container includes a solids outlet in which a rotary valve is disposed. The method also includes directing separated drilling fluid into a sump below the screening surface of the shaker, and selectively actuating the rotary valve to remove separated solids from the cabinet.

1 . An apparatus for separating solids from drilling fluid comprising: 
 a shaker selectively receiving drilling fluid including solids at a feed end, wherein the shaker includes a screening surface onto which the fluid and solids are directed, a vibratory drive vibrating the screening surface to induce separation of the solids from the fluid, a discharge end from which solids are discharged from the shaker, a sump below the screening surface to which separated fluid is directed, and a fluid exit passage providing fluid communication of fluid out of the sump;    a cabinet including a plurality of walls enclosing the shaker;    wherein the cabinet further comprises: 
 a vapor extraction system including a fresh air inlet and a vapor outlet for circulating clean air into the cabinet and vapors out of the cabinet; and  
 a cleaning system including a plurality of nozzles selectively receiving cleaning fluid and directing the cleaning fluid toward the shaker.  
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the fresh air inlet comprises: 
 a first cabinet wall having an opening therethrough;    a weighted curtain selectively positioned to substantially cover the opening such that air from outside the cabinet can be drawn into the cabinet through a portion of the opening.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the weighted curtain includes a bottom edge; and 
 wherein the first cabinet wall is angled so that the bottom edge of the weighted curtain is held below the opening against the first cabinet wall.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fresh air inlet comprises: 
 a first cabinet wall having an opening therethrough;    a set of louvers disposed in the opening through the first cabinet wall;    wherein the louvers are biased to a closed position and are drawn open by a pressure differential to allow fresh air into the cabinet.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the vapor outlet provides fluid communication of vapors from inside the cabinet to a fume extraction system.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the vapor extraction system further comprises a condenser for drawing vapors from the cabinet through the vapor outlet.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a solids collection container disposed at the discharge end of the shaker;    a rotary valve disposed in the solids collection container providing selective communication of solids to an area outside of the cabinet.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a valve in the fluid exit passage providing selective fluid communication of fluid in the sump of the shaker to a corresponding collection area outside of the cabinet.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein in the valve is selectively actuated to a first position in which fluid is communicated from the sump to the drilling fluid collection area and to a second position in which fluid is communicated from the sump to a cleaning fluid collection area.  
   
   
       10 . An apparatus for cleaning and extracting vapors from a shaker, wherein the shaker includes a feed end to which drilling fluid containing solids is directed, a discharge end from which separated solids are discharged from the shaker, and a screening surface through which the drilling fluid is separated from the solids, the apparatus comprising: 
 a cabinet including a plurality of walls enclosing the shaker;    a sump below the screening surface of the shaker receiving separated drilling fluid;    a fluid exit passage providing fluid communication from the sump to an area external to the cabinet;    a vapor extraction system including a fresh air inlet and a vapor outlet for circulating clean air into the cabinet and vapors out of the cabinet; and    a cleaning system including a plurality of nozzles selectively receiving cleaning fluid and directing the cleaning fluid towards the shaker.    
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the fresh air inlet comprises; 
 a first cabinet wall having an opening therethrough;    a weighted curtain selectively positioned to substantially cover the opening such that air from outside the cabinet can be drawn into the cabinet through a portion of the opening;    wherein the weighted curtain includes a bottom edge; and    wherein the first cabinet wall is angled so that the bottom edge of the weighted curtain is held below the opening against the first cabinet wall by gravity.    
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the vapor outlet is configured to interface with a fume extraction system.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a solids collection container disposed at the discharge end of the shaker;    a rotary valve disposed in the solids collection container providing selective communication of solids to an area outside of the cabinet.    
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a valve in the fluid exit passage providing selective fluid communication of fluid in the sump;    wherein in a first position the valve provides fluid communication to a drilling fluid collection area outside of the cabinet; and    wherein in a second position the valve provides fluid communication to a cleaning fluid collection area outside of the cabinet.    
   
   
       15 . A method for extracting vapors and cleaning a shaker comprising: 
 enclosing the shaker in a cabinet including a plurality of walls through which a fresh air inlet and a vapor outlet are disposed, a solids collection container having a solids outlet, a sump having a fluid exit passage in which a valve is disposed, and a plurality of nozzles in fluid communication with a cleaning fluid supply;    substantially sealing the solids outlet and fresh air inlet;    connecting the vapor outlet to a fume extraction system;    activating the fume extraction system to reduce pressure in the cabinet and draw air through portions of the fresh air inlet;    actuating the valve in the fluid exit passage to provide fluid communication from the sump to a drilling fluid collection area;    directing drilling fluid and solids onto a screening surface of the shaker;    discharging separated solids to a solids collection container, wherein the solids collection container includes a solids outlet in which a rotary valve is disposed;    directing separated drilling fluid into a sump below the screening surface of the shaker; and    selectively actuating the rotary valve to remove separated solids from the cabinet.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 halting the direction of drilling fluid and solids onto the screening surface of the shaker;    actuating the valve in the fluid exit passage to provide fluid communication from the sump to a cleaning fluid collection area;    providing cleaning fluid to the nozzles inside the cabinet; and    directing the nozzles to spray the cleaning fluid toward the shaker.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  further comprising: 
 collecting the cleaning fluid in the cleaning fluid collection area; and    recycling the cleaning fluid back into the cabinet.