The disclosure provides for systems and methods for removing particle settlement in a heater system. The method includes introducing a fluid into a first heater of the heater system, wherein the first heater is operable to increase the temperature of the introduced fluid. The method further includes actuating a first air agitation unit to discharge a volume of compressed air into the first heater, wherein the compressed air is configured to provide mixing and suspension to particles settled within the first heater through the velocity and expansion of the compressed air to atmospheric pressure. The method further includes discharging a mixture from the first heater comprising the fluid and the particles from the first heater and directing the discharged mixture to a return point in a flow path.

A well production particulate measurement system having a stationary frame removably mountable to tank, a hopper coupled to the frame and moveable relative to the frame; a well production inlet configured to receive well production and discharge the particulates and liquid into the hopper, and to strip at least a portion of a gas phase from the well production; and a weight transducer coupled to the system and configured to sense a weight of particulates in the hopper.

Methods and systems for removing drilling fluid from wet drill cuttings are described. According to some embodiments, the method comprises: at a pressure above atmospheric pressure: using an internal combustion engine, combusting an air-fuel mixture comprising air and a hydrocarbon-based fuel, thereby producing a combustion exhaust at a first temperature; providing the combustion exhaust to the wet drill cuttings to contact and directly heat the wet drill cuttings by convection so that at least some fluid is evaporated therefrom and at least some dry solid drill cuttings remain, the evaporated fluid comprising drilling fluid and water; condensing at least a portion of the evaporated fluid to produce condensed drilling fluid, water and non-condensable inert gas; and separately recovering the condensed drilling fluid, the water and the dry solid drill cuttings.

During a drilling operation, drilling mud is degaussed to remove magnetic interference that may disrupt measurements.

A method for estimating a parameter relating to solids recovered from a wellbore may include drilling a wellbore using a bottomhole assembly; conveying solids in the wellbore to a surface location using a drilling fluid; separating the drilling fluid from the solids using at least one shaker; conveying the separated solids by using a conveyor; and continuously dropping the solids into a solids evaluator positioned vertically above the dryer. The solids evaluator includes a chute having a vertically aligned bore in which the dropped solids reach a constant velocity, a sensor assembly generating a microwave field in a section of the chute where the dropped solids have the constant velocity, and a control unit in signal communication with the sensor assembly. The control unit estimates a mass flow rate of the solids based on the generated signals. The method may further include generating the signals representative of a mass flow rate of the dropped solids using the sensor assembly and using the control unit to estimate the mass flow rate of the solids based on the generated signals.

A system for separating components from a slurry of drilling fluid and drill cuttings on a shaker screen having an upper side and a lower side within a shaker. The system also has a pressure differential generator to pull an effective volume of air through a section of the shaker screen to enhance the flow of drilling fluid through the section of the shaker screen and the separation of drilling fluid from drill cuttings and further maintain an effective flow of drill cuttings off the shaker. A method of separating components of a slurry of drilling fluids and solids has the steps of delivering the slurry to a shaker, flowing the slurry over a first screen and applying an effective amount of vacuum to a first portion of the first screen to remove the drilling fluids from the slurry without stalling the solids on the first screen.

A system for removing debris from a drill hole, the system comprising a drill rod, a first lumen extending through the drill rod, and a second lumen extending parallel to the first lumen; a drill bit for mounting to the drill rod, the drill bit being configured to form the drill hole; at least one air channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one air channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the first lumen of the drill rod; at least one vacuum channel extending between the proximal end of the drill bit and the distal end of the drill bit, the at least one vacuum channel being configured to be fluidically connected to the second lumen of the drill rod; and a container fluidically connected to the second lumen of the drill rod.

A drilling mud screen comprising: a body having a first end and a second end and a centerline, wherein the first end and/or the second end of the body has a means to engage a drilling mud screen puller/installer tool; a drilling mud inlet at the first end of the body; a filter having a first end, a second end, and openings, wherein the filter is fluidly connected to the second end of the body via a first connection and/or an optional first end retaining ring; a drilling mud outlet at the openings of the filter; and a second end cap fluidly connected at the second end of the filter via a second connection, wherein the filter has an optional retaining ring disposed between the first connection and the second connection is disclosed.

An apparatus and method for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads is provided. The apparatus includes a hydrocyclone, for separating drilling fluid into a high density stream and a low density stream containing a major portion of the lubrication beads; a receiving pump, for pumping drilling fluid to the hydrocyclone; a discharge pump, for pumping the high density stream from the lower end of the hydrocyclone to further processing; and a hose for flowing the low density stream from the upper end of the hydrocyclone to the cleaned fluid handling system. A method for integrating the apparatus for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads from a drilling fluid into a solids control apparatus includes positioning an end of a first hose to receive the drilling fluid; arranging an end of a second hose in communication with the first shaker's filter screen; and setting an end of a third hose to empty into the cleaned fluid handling system. A method for facilitating recovery of lubrication beads from a drilling fluid by a shaker system includes receiving drilling fluid in a hydrocyclone; separating the drilling fluid into a high density stream and a low density stream containing a major portion of the lubrication beads; and flowing the high density stream to a first shaker of the shaker system, and directing the low density stream to a second shaker of the shaker system.

Deck assemblies for vibratory separators are provided. In accordance with an implementation, an upper deck assembly for use with a vibratory separator having a basket and a lower deck, the upper deck assembly includes a pair of side rails, a filter screen, and a support. The side rails are couplable to inward facing surfaces of the basket and the filter screen is supportable by the side rails. The support extends from the filter screen and is configured to engage the lower deck or a support surface of the vibratory separator and provide support for the filter screen across a width thereof.