| US 7,514,005 B2 | ||
| Method of processing drilling fluid | ||
| Neale Browne, Houston, Tex. (US); and Catalin Ivan, Sugar Land, Tex. (US) | ||
| Assigned to M-I L.L.C., Houston, Tex. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jan. 26, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/340,034. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2007/0170118 A1, Jul. 26, 2007 | ||
| Int. Cl. B01D 17/04 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 210—708 [175/66; 175/206; 210/689; 210/710; 210/737; 210/738; 210/770] | 15 Claims |
| 1. A method of processing drilling fluid comprising an oil and water emulsion and a solid material, the method comprising;
tumbling the drilling fluid in a container by rotating the container to mechanically break the emulsion into an oil phase
and a water phase;
increasing the surface area of the solid material by tumbling the drilling fluid in the container to form the solid material
into generally spherical pellets;
adsorbing at least some of the water phase to the increased surface area of the solid material; and
recovering at least some of the oil phase.
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