A dual deck vibratory separator is provided having an improved mud flow path that provides for higher flow capacities overall is provided. The shaker has a lighter basket possessing a full-size upper deck extending across the width and length of the basket. Operational efficiency and operability is improved with flow deflecting and energy absorbing plates disposed intermediate along the mud flow path. The screen assemblies are secured with improved wedges, improved wedge guides, screen cushions, and cushion stops on transverse structure members for longer screen and slide life. An optional vacuum tray on the finishing trays further enhances recovery of drilling fluid. Maintenance, when required, is improved through ease of upper screen removal for inspection and access. Inclined side windows on each side of the basket may provide cleaning and viewing access.

A dual deck vibratory separator is provided having an improved mud flow path that provides for higher flow capacities overall is provided. The shaker has a lighter basket possessing a full-size upper deck extending across the width and length of the basket. Operational efficiency and operability is improved with flow deflecting and energy absorbing plates disposed intermediate along the mud flow path. The screen assemblies are secured with improved wedges, improved wedge guides, screen cushions, and cushion stops on transverse structure members for longer screen and slide life. An optional vacuum tray on the finishing trays further enhances recovery of drilling fluid. Maintenance, when required, is improved through ease of upper screen removal for inspection and access. Inclined side windows on each side of the basket may provide cleaning and viewing access.

An example nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention provides a flow divider that includes a slurry receiving compartment and a discharge arrangement having a plurality of discharge apertures. The slurry receiving compartment is arranged to relatively uniformly flow a portion of a slurry into each of the discharge apertures. The discharge apertures may be arranged linearly and/or horizontally such that the portions of the slurry exits each of the discharge apertures at a relatively even flow rate and feed feed boxes connected to vertically tiered screening surfaces of a screening machine.

An example nonlimiting embodiment of the present invention provides a flow divider that includes a slurry receiving compartment and a discharge arrangement having a plurality of discharge apertures. The slurry receiving compartment is arranged to relatively uniformly flow a portion of a slurry into each of the discharge apertures. The discharge apertures may be arranged linearly and/or horizontally such that the portions of the slurry exits each of the discharge apertures at a relatively even flow rate and feed feed boxes connected to vertically tiered screening surfaces of a screening machine.

A separation tank device may include a holding tank having a tank wall coupled to and extending above a tank base. A base wall may be coupled to and may extend above the tank base. The base wall may form a base upper aperture that is opposingly positioned to the tank base, and a base lower aperture may be formed in the base wall. The device may further include a movable wall having a movable upper aperture and a movable lower aperture, and the movable wall may be movable between a first position and a second position. When the movable wall is in the first position, the movable lower aperture may be positioned above and aligned with the base upper aperture, and when the movable wall is in the second position the movable lower aperture may be unaligned with the base upper aperture.

Hydro excavation vacuum apparatus that process spoil material onboard the apparatus by separating water from the cut earthen material are disclosed.

A method includes performing a downhole operation in a borehole; capturing, during the downhole operation, downhole particles and drilling mud at the surface from the borehole into a screen of at least one shaker; shaking the screen to emit vibrations to separate the downhole particles from the drilling mud; defining a vibration limit for a normal operating condition of the at least one shaker; setting a vibration fault threshold based on the vibration limit for the normal operating condition; monitoring, using at least one sensor, the vibrations over time; and determining there is a fault condition for the shaker, in response to the vibrations exceeding the vibration fault threshold.

A method includes depositing, onto a shaker screen, downhole materials and fluids coming to a surface of the borehole as a result of a downhole operation. The downhole materials are separated from the fluids using the shaker screen. Using a radar, an electromagnetic wave is emitted toward a discharge end of the shaker screen or a transit downstream to the shaker. A reflection of the electromagnetic wave reflected off a portion of the downhole materials is detected. A velocity of the downhole materials advancing along the shaker screen toward the discharge end of the shaker screen or on a transit downstream to the shaker is determined. An approximate area occupied by the downhole materials on the shaker screen is determined. A volume of the downhole materials based on the velocity of the downhole materials and the approximate area occupied by the downhole materials on the shaker screen is determined.

Vibratory screening machines that include stacked screening deck assemblies are provided. In some embodiments, at least one of the vibratory screening machines may include an outer frame, an inner frame connected to the outer frame, and a vibratory motor assembly secured to the inner frame for vibrating the inner frame. A plurality of screen deck assemblies may be attached to the inner frame in a stacked arrangement, each configured to receive replaceable screen assemblies. The screen assemblies may be secured to respective ones of the plurality of the screen deck assemblies by tensioning the screen assemblies in a direction that a material to be screened flows across the screen assemblies. An undersized material discharge assembly may be configured to receive materials that pass through the screen assemblies, and an oversized material discharge assembly having a deflector may be configured to receive materials that pass over the screen assemblies.

Transfer systems for receiving and conveying material such as earthen slurries discharged from vacuum excavators are disclosed. The transfer system may include a holding tank and a conveyor such as a drag-slat conveyor that extends into the tank to remove and convey material from the tank. The transfer system includes a hatch. The hatch is moveable from a closed position in which vehicles travel over the hatch to an open position in which the holding tank is open to receive material from the vacuum excavator.