METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING DRILLING MUD CONTAINING AN OIL/WATER EMULSION

摘要

The invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling drilling mud containing oil/water emulsion, comprising the step of decomposing the emulsion content of the mud, separating phases thus obtained, and establishing said decomposition between electrodes powered by at least the limit voltage of stability the emulsion, so that determining experimentally the level of the voltage of stability, type of voltage and residence time, then settling the solid phase of the decomposed emulsion content of the mud into a slurry, and separating the liquid phase containing macroscopic oil and water phase elements created during settling. The apparatus (A) according to the invention contains a mixing and storing unit (A1) for drill-cuttings connected to a homogenizing unit, and an emulsion decomposing unit (3) provided by positive "and negative electrodes alternating in a vertical arrangement; and a gas outlet arranged on the top of the emulsion decomposing unit (3).