Separator screen with solids conveying end area

Details Separator screen with solids conveying end area Separator screen with solids conveying end area

2002-06-12

2004-04-27

Prince, Fred G. (Department: 1724)

Liquid purification or separation

Filter

Movable medium

C210S483000, C209S261000, C209S401000, C209S403000, C209S405000, C209S412000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06726029

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to: screens for vibratory separators and shale shakers; vibratory screening methods; and separators and shale shakers used in such methods; and, in certain particular aspects, to methods for separating different size particles from the top of a screen assembly on a vibratory separator device.
2. Description of Related Art
Vibratory separators are used in a wide variety of industries to separate materials such as liquids from solids or solids from solids. Typically such separators have a basket or other screen holding or mounting apparatus mounted in or over a receiving receptacle or tank and vibrating apparatus for vibrating the basket. One or more screens is mounted in the basket. Material to be treated is introduced to the screen(s) and separated material on top of the screen(s) flows off an end of an end screen. In many screens used with vibratory separators, there are a plurality of spaced-apart supports that support screening material on the screen.
With certain prior art screen assemblies used in vibratory separators and shale shakers, screening material is mounted on a frame or support and the screening material extends over substantially all of the frame's or support's area; but there is an end area that is solid and is a boundary for the screening material. Separated material on the top of the screen that is to exit from the end of the screen moves off of the screening material, over this solid end area, and then off of the screen assembly. In many prior art screen assemblies this end area is relatively smooth compared to the relatively contoured or non-smooth surface presented to fluid by the screening material.
Separated material, e.g., but not limited to, drilling solids, can accumulate at the very end of the screening material and tend to bunch up and agglomerate rather than move off the screen end over the solid end area. Whereas the screening surface of the screening material provides non-smooth areas on which a solid particle can gain a foothold and move forward and non-smooth areas that can launch a solid particle forward, the smooth end area presents only a smooth solid surface that accomplishes no facilitation of particle movement. Particularly when a screen is inclined so that separated material is moving “uphill,” this phenomenon of solids accumulation can occur.
As shown in
FIGS. 1A and 1B
, it is also a known phenomenon in the prior art for separated solids to move down a screen and to tend to move above open screening areas and to tend to move away from areas of screening material beneath which are located support ribs, bars, members, strips, beams, etc.
FIG. 1A
shows relatively large solids LS moving down and off a screen SC above open screening areas OA. Relatively smaller solids SS move down and off the screen above supports (not shown) under the screen SC. Of course, some solids LS can and do move in the areas in which the smaller solids SS move and vice versa.
To illustrate this phenomenon, a screen SR in
FIG. 1B
is shown with its screening material removed so that a plurality of support ribs RB are exposed. Larger solids SL tend to move on screening material in areas beneath which no rib is present; and relatively smaller solids SD tend to move in the areas beneath which the ribs RB are located.
In the prior art no effort has been made to take advantage of this particle separation by size that occurs on top of vibratory separator screens. Rather, the combined flow of particles of all sizes flows off the end of a screen and into a single tank, receptacle, or collection container or onto the ground.
FIGS. 2A-2E
show a prior art screen assembly
1
with a frame
2
, cross supports
3
, and screening mesh
4
. A plurality of openings
5
extend through the frame
12
. Typically the screening mesh
4
is one, two, three or more layers of screening material. The top surfaces of the frame parts are typically smooth.
There has long been a need, recognized by the present inventors, to overcome the deleterious effects of material accumulation and agglomeration at the non-smooth end area of a screen assembly. There has long been a need, recognized by the present inventors, for an efficient and effective method to utilize the particle separation that occurs on the top of screens with lower support members on vibratory separators.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a screen assembly for a vibratory separator or shale shaker with a frame or other screen support with a plurality of openings therethrough, the frame having a material exit end, screening material on the frame over the openings, the frame having an end area at the material exit end of the frame, and end structure or apparatus at the end area for facilitating material movement over the end area and off the screen assembly.
The present invention discloses, in certain aspects, a screen assembly with a frame or other screen support with a plurality of openings therethrough, the frame having a material exit end, screening material on the frame over the openings, wherein set or hardened adhesive material, epoxy or glue connects the screening material to the frame, the screening material having a top surface, portions of the adhesive material at the top surface of the screening material, material or solids movable on the portions of the adhesive material, the portions of the adhesive material having portion apparatus or structure for impeding the movement of solids on the portions and/or for directing material or solids off of the portions.
The present invention discloses, in at least certain aspects, screen assemblies with structure at an end area that is non-smooth and which facilitates movement of separated material, including, but not limited to, drilling solids and/or drilled cuttings, over and off of the end area of the screen assembly, e.g., by providing a “foothold” for the solids or material rather than a smooth area. In one aspect, the structure includes a roughened end area that is made, for example, by using a file or other tool, or a buffer, grinder or sander on the previously-smooth end area to provide a non-smooth area. With such a tool, etc. gouges, recesses, pits, and/or indentations to any desired depth, and in one particular aspect up to {fraction (1/16)} inch deep, may be provided in the end area. Such gouges, etc. may be in a pattern across the end area or they may be random in size, width, extent and depth. In other aspects, non-smooth areas are provided on areas of the screen (in addition to end areas) to impede material or solids flow over these areas and/or to direct material or solids off of these areas.
In other aspects, a piece of non-smooth material, including, but not limited to screening material of coarse, fine or medium mesh; Kevlar (trademark) material; synthetic fabric; natural fabric, including, but not limited to, burlap, canvas, and denim; woven or air laid web material; and/or releasably cooperating fastener material [e.g., but not limited to hook material, loop material, and Velcro (trademark) material], is used to provide a non-smooth top surface that facilitates material movement over the end area, e.g., by providing a “foothold” for solids rather than a smooth surface; or on other areas of the screening material to impede material or solids flow over these areas and/or to direct material or solids off of these areas. The mesh, etc. may be secured to the screen end area (or to other screen areas, e.g., that have an amount of set or hardened material that can act as a non-screening pathway for material or solids and which can deleteriously affect screen performance) with any suitable adhesive, glue, epoxy, screws, plugs, rivets, bolts, and/or other fastener devices or substances.
In certain embodiments, the width of the non-smooth area is substantially similar to that of the screening material. In other aspects, the width of the non-smooth area is wider than that of the screening material. In yet other

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Separator screen with solids conveying end area does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Separator screen with solids conveying end area, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Separator screen with solids conveying end area will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3265684