APPARATUS FOR SAMPLING DRILL HOLE CUTTINGS

摘要

A sample collection system for collecting a drill cuttings sample (66) from a hole (63) being drilled during its drilling includes a stem collector (50) surrounding the drill pipe (60). Pressurized air injected into the hole (63) through the drill pipe (60) forms an air-entrained drill cuttings stream (65) which travels up the drill hole (65) during drilling and which is directed by the stem collector (50) into a conduit (93) which directs stream (65) to a sampling device (51). Sampling device (51) samples drill cuttings stream (65) and creates a stream of sample cuttings which is directed to a diffuser (52) which separates the cuttings sample (66) from the air stream. The cuttings sample (66) passes into a sample collection chute (134) from which it or portions thereof may be transferred into a sample container or bag. Stem collector (50) seals against the ground (66) surrounding the hole (63) being drilled to direct substantially all drill cuttings to sampling device (51), thus substantially eliminating loss of fines prior to sampling and thus helps form a substantially representative sample. The sampling system can be mounted under the drill deck (55) of a drilling rig.