摘要 |
An apparatus (11) for treating drilling fluid used in a diamond drilling operation to remove solids therefrom and thereby control the solids content of the drilling fluid. The apparatus is also arranged to introduce additives into the drilling fluid. The apparatus (11) is configured as a unit (13) which is adapted to be transported to the site of the drilling operation. The apparatus (11) has a support structure (15) which carries a tank system (33) comprising first, second and third (41, 42 and 43) and a decanting centrifuge (71) for separating drilling fluid into a solids component and a liquid component with the liquid component being discharged into the first tank (41) The apparatus (11) also has a separator (73) for performing an optional preliminary separation process on the drilling fluid and discharging the separated drilling fluid into the second tank (42). The apparatus (11) is operable in first and second modes, wherein in the first mode drilling fluid for treatment is delivered to the decanting centrifuge (71) and bypasses the mechanical separator (73), and wherein in the second mode drilling fluid for treatment is delivered to the mechanical separator (73) and discharged into the second tank (42) from where it is transferred to the decanting centrifuge (71). |