WO2008007987A1

WO2008007987A1 - Washing apparatus and components for a washing apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008007987A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2007/000187
Authority: WO
Inventors: James Dexter Ryan
Original assignee: James Dexter Ryan
Priority date: 2006-07-13
Filing date: 2007-07-13
Publication date: 2008-01-17

Abstract

A washing apparatus (50) includes a conveyor (18, 51) which moves containers (12, 53) between a number of stations. The stations include a washing station (70), a rinsing station (80) and a drying station (90, 93). Each container (12, 53) includes at least one screen (22, 24, 55, 56, 57) retaining material to be washed within the container but allowing washing fluids to enter the container. The washing apparatus can be easily disassembled for transportation and is particularly suited to washing of drill cutting samples from oil, gas or other wells for inspection and/or storage.

Description

WASHING APPARATUS AND COMPONENTS FOR A WASHING APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a washing apparatus and components for a washing apparatus, particularly but not exclusively to a washing apparatus for washing drill cutting samples from oil, gas and other wells for inspection and/or storage.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Drill cutting samples taken from oil and gas wells are presently cleaned by hand usually by the well site geologist. The washing and drying operation is thus physically demanding and time consuming.

When drilling using oiled based muds the washing and drying process must be done under a fume hood in a single use building as the fumes are toxic. This has been an acceptable method historically but the practise is coming under scrutiny as health and safety issues are recognised. The risk of future liability is now a prime concern to oil companies.

During fast drilling, a geologist can spend up to 10 hours a day preparing samples. This leaves little time for analysis and for the geologist to rest/sleep. As a consequence it is well recognised and documented that many wells can be affected adversely by geologist fatigue which can often lead directly to significant costs to the drilling company.

There is therefore a need for a washing apparatus for the washing and drying of drill cutting samples whereby the physical effort involved in cleaning the drill cutting samples is removed or lessened and a safer working environment is provided. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide such a washing apparatus, or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides a washing apparatus including: one or more containers for containing, in use, a material to be washed, each container including a first screen having apertures dimensioned to retain the material to be washed but allowing washing fluid to flow through the screen to wash material contained in the container; a plurality of stations, including: a washing station at which a washing fluid delivery device delivers washing fluid to a container; a rinsing station at which a rinsing fluid delivery device delivers rinsing fluid to a container; and a drying station for drying material contained in a container; and a conveyor configured to move one or more containers between the stations.

Preferably the apparatus is suitable for washing of materials such as drill cutting samples from oil, gas and other wells.

In a preferred form of the invention the container further includes a second said screen located above the first screen.

According to a preferred form of the invention a third screen is located between the first and second screens. Preferably the size of apertures in the third screen is greater than that of the first screen. Preferably the first and second screens have apertures of the same size. In a second aspect the invention provides a modular washing apparatus including: one or more container modules for containing, in use, a material to be washed, each container module including a first screen having apertures dimensioned to retain the material to be washed but allowing washing fluid to flow through the screen to wash material contained in the container module; a main module having: a plurality of stations, including: a washing station for washing material contained in a container module; a rinsing station for rinsing material contained in a container module; and a drying station for drying material contained in a container module; and a conveyor configured to move one or more container modules between the stations; a washing component module configured to attach to the main module at the washing station; and a rinsing component module configured to attach to the main module at the rinsing station.

In a third aspect the invention provides a rotating nozzle for a washing apparatus including: a body having a circular bore therein; a sleeve within the circular bore; a nozzle shaft within the sleeve, the nozzle shaft rotating freely with respect to the body; and a nozzle arm attached to the nozzle shaft and having one or more nozzle outlets arranged such that fluid flowing through the nozzle drives rotation of the nozzle arm with respect to the body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevation illustration of one embodiment of washing apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged illustration of the central washing unit of the apparatus; Figure 3 is a top plan illustration of the central washing unit;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a washing apparatus;

Figure 4B is a top plan view of the washing apparatus of Figure 4A;

Figure 5A is a perspective view of a container of the washing apparatus of Figure 4A;

Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 5B;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container magazine of the washing apparatus of Figure 4A;

Figure 7 shows a pump and washing fluid tank for the washing apparatus of Figure 4A;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the washing apparatus of Figure 4A; and

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the washing apparatus of Figure 4A.

Figure 1 OA is an exploded perspective view of a rotating nozzle; and Figure 1 OB is a perspective view of the nozzle of Figure 1 OA in an assembled state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of a washing apparatus.

As shown in Figure 1 the apparatus includes a central washing unit 1 0 that has a housing with an input end which, in the illustrated form of the invention, is associated with a delivery chute or the like 1 1 whereby containers in the form of screen stack units 1 2 can be loaded one at a time into the central unit 1 0.

The output end of the central unit 1 0 has means for collecting screen stack units

1 2 that have passed through the central unit 1 0. In the illustrated form of the invention the collection unit 1 3 can incorporate a bag support 1 5 from which a bag 14 is hung and into which screen stack units 1 2 issuing from the central unit can fall.

The delivery chute or system 1 1 can take various forms. In the illustrated form a spiral rack 1 6 is able to receive screen stack units 1 2 and present these to the input end of the central unit 1 0. A restraining lug 1 7 restrains the leading screen stack unit 1 2 until such time as it is required to enter onto the conveying means 1 8 for moving the screen stack unit 1 2 through the central unit 10.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other means of presenting a succession of screen stack units 1 2 to the central unit can be used. For example, the screen stack units 1 2 could be loaded into a vertical rack which has a restraining means at its lower end to prevent the lowest screen stack unit 1 2 from moving onto the conveyor means until required to do so. The conveyor means 1 8 can take different forms. For example, the conveyor means 1 8 could, as illustrated, be an endless belt extending about rollers or the like 1 9 and driven by suitable controlled drive means M (Figure 3). The type of control necessary will become apparent from the following description.

The conveyor belt 1 8 will include means such as openings or cut-out areas 18a (Figure 3) to receive and engage the lowermost end of a screen stack unit 1 2 for indexed movement of the screen stack units 1 2 from the input end through the various stages of washing and drying (as will hereinafter be apparent) to the output end. These cut-out areas 1 8a will be at spaced apart distances equivalent to the various positions of the stations within the central unit 10 at which the cleaning/drying operations are carried out. The movement of the conveyor belt is stop-start so that the screen stack units 1 2 are indexed through the central unit 10.

In another arrangement a non-moveable table could extend through the central unit 10 and have pusher bars, lugs or the like moveable there along by way of a chain, belt or similar drive. These pusher bars, lugs etc. will impart the necessary movement of the screen stack units.

Accordingly, the lead screen stack unit 1 2 at the loading apparatus 1 1 will be released by the restraining lug 1 7 and be indexed by movement of the conveying means 1 8 to a washing station within the central unit 10 which has an upwardly directed spray nozzle 20. The opening 1 8a with which the lowermost end of the screen stack unit is engaged, locates above the nozzle 20.

Each screen stack unit 1 2 essentially consists of a body 21 (which in the preferred form of the invention is tubular). At the lowermost and uppermost ends of the body 21 there is positioned thereacross a screen 22, which according to the preferred form of the invention (intended for washing of drill cutting samples), has apertures of a size commensurate with a mesh in the order of 50 mesh.

Centrally in the length of the body 21 there is a third or coarse screen 24 which, once again for cleaning of drill cutting samples, has openings in the order of around 3mm diameter. The physical size of the body 21 and the distance between the screens 22 and coarse screen 24 is such as to be able to accommodate a desired quantity of drill cutting samples.

Prior to the screen stack units 1 2 being placed into the loading apparatus 1 1 , each screen stack unit will be opened and a quantity of drill cutting samples or other material to be washed will be loaded into what will be the upper part of the body 21 so as to reside on the coarse screen 24. Consequently when the screen stack unit 12 arrives in position above nozzle 20, the lower part of the body will be empty (save for any samples that may have fallen through the coarse screen 24 together with dirt and/or drilling mud). The majority of the cutting samples will, however, reside in the upper part of the screen stack unit 1 2 i.e. reside on the upper surface of the coarse screen 24.

The central unit 10 is connected via a clean water inlet 27 to a mains water supply. This inlet 27 is connected by pipe 28 to a branch where the water under the control of solenoid valves 29 can be directed as required to the cleaning nozzle 20 and the rinsing nozzle 30. The pipe 31 leading to the cleaning nozzle

20 is connected via branch pipe 32 to a container 33 in which detergent is loaded. Means (not shown) are provided to enable detergent to become entrained in the water passing to the nozzle 20. For example, a venturi type mixer arrangement could be provided at the connection of the pipes 31 and 32.

A manually or remotely operated valve 32a is provided to control the supply of detergent to the water passing along pipe 31 .

The spray nozzle 20 can, in one form of the invention, be a rotating nozzle or, in another form, can be of a construction which provides a rotating water stream issuing therefrom.

In a preferred form of the invention a fan pattern of spray issues from the nozzle 20. The nozzle preferably sprays water over substantially the full cross-sectional area of the lowermost screen 22 of the screen stack unit 12. Water is thus forced up through the screen 22 and up through the coarse screen 24 to thereby impinge on and agitate the drill cutting samples located in the upper part of the body 21 . As a consequence dirt, drilling mud and any other unwanted materials are washed from the drill cutting samples, and the finer drill cutting samples drop through the coarse screen 24 to reside in the lower part of the body 21 supported by the lowermost screen 22.

Once the washing operation has finished the conveyor means 1 8 once again indexes so that the screen stack unit 1 2 is moved to the rinsing station and a new screen stack unit 1 2 (assuming there is one ready for loading) is indexed into the washing station.

At the rinsing station the nozzle 30 is located above the screen stack unit 1 2 and thus applies a rinsing wash through the upper screen 22 to apply a supply of rinsing (clean) water to the samples within the body 21 . At both the washing and rinsing stations, water and material issuing from the screen stack unit 1 2 falls into a drain pan 34. This drain pan 34 is arranged so that water and suspended material flows to a drainage area 35 to exit from the housing of the central unit 10 via a waste water outlet 36. This extraction of the waste water and suspended materials can be by way of a gravity feed or a suitable pump mechanism can be employed. However, in the interest of simplicity but more importantly to keep the central unit of a compact overall size

(for reasons of weight and physical dimensions so that the central unit is readily transportable), a gravity feed is to be preferred.

The next indexing movement of the conveyor means 1 8 moves the screen stack unit 1 2 at the rinsing station into a dryer 37. This dryer is, in the preferred form of the invention, a fan providing heated air through duct 38 into the lower end of a conical lower portion 39 which opens to the aperture 1 8a in the conveyor means 1 8 and thereby permits heated air to be blown up through the screen stack units 1 2. A hood 40 locates over the upper end of the body 21 so that exhaust air can pass therethrough to an exhaust duct 41 .

An outlet end 42 of the exhaust duct 41 is accessible outside the housing of the central unit 10 and can be connected to a further duct so that exhaust can be ducted to atmosphere outside the building or room in which the cleaning operation is taking place. This is particularly important when the samples being cleaned are samples that have been obtained from a drilling process using oil based muds. An exhaust air fan can be associated with the exhaust duct 41 or exhaust outlet 42. Also filters, collectors etc., can be associated with the exhaust duct 41 /exhaust outlet 42.

Within the cental unit 10 will be located a control unit 43, though in an alternative embodiment this control unit 43 could be a separate external unit which is suitably connected to the central unit 1 0 to provide control of the operation of the solenoid valves 29, the motor M of the conveyor means 1 8 and the dryer 37, as well as the operation of the loading means e.g. restraining lug 1 7, which controls the entry of screen stack units 1 2 onto the conveyor means

18.

Upon next indexing operation of the conveyor means 1 8 the screen stack unit 1 2 in the dryer 37 will move to the outlet end of the central unit 10 and be collected e.g. by dropping into the collector bag 14.

Because of the indexed operation of the conveyer means 1 8, a screen stack unit 1 2 will generally be located in each of the washer, rinser and drying stations. The apparatus can be operated by the control unit 43 so as to be of automatic and continuous operation so that a geologist is not required to attend the operation of the apparatus. In the control unit 43 means can be provided for sensing when there are no more screen stack units 1 2 waiting to enter the central unit 10 whereupon the completion of three further indexing movements of the conveyor 18, the unit can shut down automatically. This means of sensing the presence of a screen stack unit 1 2 can be a spring controlled sensor 1 7a associated with the restraining lug 1 7. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the washer apparatus is open to modification within the scope of the invention. For example, more than one washing station could be provided. In another modification a pressure booster could be incorporated so as to increase the pressure of the washing/rinsing water to above mains pressure. Such a pressure booster may be required when cleaning samples derived from drillings using oil based muds.

Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The present invention thus provides a washer that can deal with small and fine samples and is able to rid the samples of sticky toxic drilling fluids. This is done in an automated process with the multiple screen stack units 1 2 able to simply and easily contain the samples, enable the various operations to be carried out, and retain the cleaned samples in a manner which enables the well site geologist to carry out his/her analysis. The system is in a compact, transportable and robust form. The aspect of transportability is important as it enables a geologist to carry the unit as accompanying luggage when using public transport e.g. air transport.

A further embodiment is shown in Figures 4A and 4B. A washing apparatus 50 includes a rotating conveyor, in the form of a rotating top plate 51 . The top plate 51 includes a number of apertures 52 for receiving containers 53. In the embodiment shown the top plate has six apertures evenly spaced around the top plate. For clarity only a single container 53 is shown, although in practice up to five containers 53 may be held in apertures 52 at any one time.

Other forms of container holders may be suitable, such as depressions or projections in or on the top plate and configured to engage with the containers. However apertures are preferred as they are simple and allow easy access to the container from below.

A suitable container is shown in Figures 5A and 5B. The container 53 is generally of cylindrical construction, having a tubular outer wall 54. A number of screens

55, 56, 57 are positioned within the tubular wall 54. A first screen 55 at a bottom end of the container has apertures which are sized to retain the material to be washed, but allow washing and rinsing fluids to enter the container. A second screen 56 is provided at a top end of the container and may have apertures of the same or similar size as those in the first screen. A third screen

57 is positioned between the first and second screens and holds the material 58 to be washed. This screen may have apertures larger than those of the first screen.

The container and its screens are thus similar to those described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

The apparatus includes six stations, each of which will be described in detail below.

Returning to Figures 4A and 4B, a container magazine 60 is positioned at an input station and contains one or more containers 53 waiting to begin the washing cycle. An enlarged cross-sectional view of the container magazine is shown in Figure 6.

This view shows an aperture 52 (not marked in Figure 6) in the top plate 51 aligned with the bottom of the container magazine 60, such that a bottom one 61 of the containers 53 held within the magazine 60 drops partly through the aperture 52 in the top plate 51 . In this position, the side walls of the aperture 52 engage with the outside walls of the container 53 such that the container will move with the aperture when the top plate 51 rotates. The bottom surface of the container 61 rides on a deck plate 62 which is positioned a suitable distance below the top plate 51 .

When no aperture 52 is positioned beneath the container magazine 60, the bottom container remains in the magazine 60, its bottom surface sliding on the top surface of the top plate 51 .

The container magazine 60 is secured to the side wall 63 of the apparatus 50 by a support arm 64. The support arm 64 also holds a proximity sensor 65, which senses the proximity of a sensor target 66 on the top plate 51. A number of such targets are provided around the top plate and the sensor 65 provides signals related to top plate position to a controller, allowing accurate control of the top plate rotation and indexing of the conveyor movement.

The proximity sensor and targets may be a magnetic field sensor and magnets, for example.

In the embodiment shown the top plate rotates anti-clockwise. So a container received from the container magazine 60 is carried to a washing station 70.

The washing station 70 operates in a similar manner to that of Figures 1 to 3. a washing fluid delivery device 71 delivers washing fluid from below into the container 53. A wash shield 72 is supported above the container 53 by a support arm 73, to prevent washing fluid from escaping. It is preferred to wash the material from below as this provides better results than washing from above. A sample washed from above tends to form a cake against the screen 57, so that it is not thoroughly washed. A sample washed from below will be agitated by the flow of fluid and is not constrained by the screen 57. This leads to a more thorough washing process.

The washing station of this embodiment uses a washing fluid tank 74 and pump 75, as shown in Figure 7. The washing fluid held in the tank 74 is pumped through a conduit 76 through the pump and into the washing fluid delivery device via a further conduit connected to a solenoid valve 77 (Figure 9). A 1 horsepower pump has been found suitable. Used washing fluid drains from the washing station 70 through an outlet 78 (Figure 9) and drainage conduit 79 (Figure 7) back into the tank 74 and is thus recycled.

The recycling arrangement may include suitable filters and the like. For example, a first filter could be provided in the bottom of the washing fluid tank to hold sediment, and another filter could be provided in the flow line to prevent flow of floating solid material.

The washing fluid may simply be a prepared solution, or a mechanism for adding detergent or other cleaning substances may be used, as described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

Following completion of the washing stage, the top plate rotates, carrying a container from the washing station 70 to a rinsing station 80.

The rinsing station 80 includes a rinsing fluid delivery device 81 which delivers rinsing fluid from above a container 53. The rinsing fluid may simply be water from a mains or other supply connected to the apparatus via a solenoid valve 82 (Figure 9). The fluid drains through the bottom of the container and runs to a waste outlet 83.

Compartments are provided below the washing and rinsing stations 70, 80 for collecting and containing the washing and rinsing fluids. These compartments are formed by internal partitions (not shown) and are sealed along their top edges by rubber sealing members 84 (Figure 8) attached to the top plate between the apertures 52. When the top plate is stationary, some of the rubber sealing members 84 align with the partitions. The rubber sealing members may be similar to windscreen wiper blades, for example.

Following the rinsing stage, the top plate 51 carries a container 53 to a first drying station 90. The first drying station includes a vacuum device 91 which extracts moisture from the container from below. The vacuum device may be a centrifugal fan device. The outflow from the vacuum device may be configured to attach to a venting system and is preferably vented to a point outside the building in which the apparatus is used.

The efficacy of this vacuum drying stage may be improved by use of a shaker, to shake the container while is being dried.

The container 53 is then carried to a second drying station 93. This includes a heat blower 94 which blows hot air down into the container 53. Preferably the outflow from the second drying station 93 is connected by a conduit 95 into the vacuum station outflow, as shown in Figure 9. A single drying station may be suitable for some applications, or if a particularly effective drying mechanism is used. For example, a vacuum/shaker mechanism may be sufficient without any subsequent hot air drying stage, especially where the air in the building in which the washing process takes place is warm and dry enough to contribute some drying effect.

Lastly, the container 53 is carried to an exit station 100. In the embodiment shown the exit station 1 00 simply includes an aperture 101 in the deck plate 62. This aperture is larger than the containers 53, so allows a container to fall through into a collection receptacle, such as a bag (not shown).

The deck plate 62 also includes a number of apertures 102 at the various stations, in order to allow fluid or air flow through containers at those stations. These apertures 102 are smaller than the containers 53.

The top plate 51 is driven with respect to the deck plate 62 and outer wall 63 by a motor 104 (Figure 9) located beneath the deck plate. The motor's drive shaft 105 drives the top plate 51 via a suitable gear mechanism 106 (Figure 8).

A controller (not shown) receives signals from the proximity sensor 65 and controls the motor to drive the top plate 51 . The controller may be a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The controller may also control the solenoid valves 77, 82 to deliver fluids to the washing and rinsing stations 70, 80 when appropriate; and may control the vacuum device 91 and heat blower 94.

An exemplary control cycle will now be described. On start-up the magazine 60 may contain a number of containers 53. An aperture 52 is aligned with the magazine 60, but all the other apertures 52 are empty. The controller drives the top plate 51 until it receives signals from the proximity sensor indicating that a station has been reached (i.e. that the conveyor apertures are aligned with the stations). A first container will now be positioned at the washing station 70.

The controller actuates the solenoid valve 77 to begin the flow of washing fluid through the washing fluid delivery device 71 . The controller may control the pump 75, or this may be otherwise controlled.

After a set time period Δt, the controller closes the solenoid valve 77 and rotates the top plate 51 until the signal from the proximity sensor again shows that a station has been reached. Containers are now located at the washing and rinsing stations 70, 80. The controller therefore actuates both the solenoid valves 77,

82 to deliver washing and rinsing fluids to the respective stations 70, 80.

After the time period Δt has again elapsed, the controller closes the solenoid actuated valves 77, 82 and rotates the top plate 51 until the signal from the proximity sensor again shows that a station has been reached. Containers are now located at the washing, rinsing and first drying stations 70, 80, 90. The controller therefore actuates both the solenoid valves 77, 82 to deliver washing and rinsing fluids to the respective stations 70, 80 and turns on the vacuum device 91 .

After the time period Δt has again elapsed, the controller closes the solenoid actuated valves 77, 82 and may also turn off the vacuum device. The controller rotates the top plate 51 until the signal from the proximity sensor again shows that a station has been reached. Containers are now located at the washing, rinsing and first and second drying stations 70, 80, 90, 93. The controller therefore actuates both the solenoid valves 77, 82 to deliver washing and rinsing fluids to the respective stations 70, 80 and turns on the vacuum device 91 and heat blower 94.

The controller then continues to rotate the top plate and operate the valves and devices with a time delay of Δt, and with containers falling through the aperture 101 at the exit station on each rotation. Once the controller receives a signal from a container sensor in the magazine 60 indicating that the magazine 60 is empty (e.g. a simple mechanical sensor such as that described with reference to Figures 1 to 3) it sequentially turns off the solenoid valves and devices in a similar manner to that in which it turned them on.

This controller sequence is given by way of example and the skilled reader will understand that many different control sequences may be suitable for use with the washing apparatus. For example, it may not be necessary to switch off the valves 77, 82, vacuum device 91 or heat blower 94 while rotating the top plate 51 .

A user interface, such as a number of dials or a graphical user interface, may be provided to allow a user to alter control parameters. For example, a user interface may allow a user to alter the time period Δt, in order to give optimal results for a particular material to be washed.

Also, different time periods may be used for each of the stations. For example, it may be found that a particular material requires only Δt/2 drying time at the second drying station, but Δt washing time at the washing station. Although each container must spend Δt at each station, the heat blower 94 could be switched off after Δt/2. The user interface may allow a user to adjust the times for each of the stations.

As an alternative to a container sensor in the magazine 60, the user interface may allow a user to enter the number of containers 53 to be processed.

Figures 1 OA and 1 OB show a rotating nozzle 1 1 0, which may form part or whole of the washing fluid delivery device 71 . Figure 1 OA is an exploded view of the nozzle, while figure 1 OB shows the nozzle in assembled form.

The nozzle 1 10 includes a hexagonal body 1 1 1 with a central bore 1 1 2. A nozzle arm 1 1 3 engages with a tubular nozzle shaft 1 14 via threads (not shown) or other suitable connection. The nozzle shaft 1 14 rotates within a nylon sleeve 1 1 5, which itself sits within the central bore 1 1 2 of the hexagonal body 1 1 1 , as shown most clearly in figure 1 OB.

The nozzle arm 1 1 3 therefore rotates freely with respect to the hexagonal body 1 1 1 . In use, water flowing through the nozzle exits the nozzle arm via outlets in the form of slots 1 16, driving the rotation of the nozzle arm 1 1 3. Therefore, rotation of the nozzle arm is driven entirely by the pressure of fluid flowing through the nozzle.

This nozzle gives excellent coverage of the entire width of the container 53, and the shifting flow of fluid also contributes to a thorough washing process. The design is also simple and rugged, so it is cheap to manufacture and lasts well. The apparatus may be designed for portability. The rotating plate may have a diameter of about 700mm, with the assembled apparatus having a height of about 225mm. Each container may be around 50mm in height and 1 20mm in diameter. The washing fluid tank measures about 470 mm long by 210 mm wide.

The apparatus may disassemble in the following manner for ease of transportation and/or storage. The turntable unit (i.e. the top plate, deck plate and side wall unit, together with the various connections contained within) remains as a single piece. However, the magazine, wash shield, rinsing fluid delivery device, vacuum device and heat blower are all removable as individual pieces.

The pump can be packed away into the washing fluid tank. The turntable unit packs into a custom-made case, while the other pieces can either be packed in a custom-made case or simply a normal suitcase. Thus, the entire apparatus packs away into three cases, each of which preferably weighs less than 33 kg such that it can be carried as baggage on aircraft.

The washing apparatus may therefore be provided in modular form, with a number of container modules, a main module comprising the turntable unit and a pump module. The magazine, wash shield, rinsing fluid delivery device, vacuum device and heat blower are all formed as separate modules for attachment to the main module.

The containers are preferably made from a PVC tubular wall, with screens made from steel mesh. The other components are generally made from stainless steel, except that the rotating top plate is preferably formed from plastic. Suitable plastics may also be used to replace the stainless steel components.

While the washing apparatus has been described particularly in relation to cleaning of drill cutting samples, the apparatus does have application in other industries such as the manufacturing and food industries.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept.

Claims

1 . A washing apparatus including: i. one or more containers for containing, in use, a material to be washed, each container including a first screen having apertures dimensioned to retain the material to be washed but allowing washing fluid to flow through the screen to wash material contained in the container; ii. a plurality of stations, including: a) a washing station at which a washing fluid delivery device delivers washing fluid to a container; b) a rinsing station at which a rinsing fluid delivery device delivers rinsing fluid to a container; and c) a drying station for drying material contained in a container; and iii. a conveyor configured to move one or more containers between the stations.

2. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , each container further including a second screen situated above the first screen.

3. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, each container further including a third screen located between the first and second screens.

4. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the third screen has apertures of dimensions greater than those of the first screen.

5. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 2, 3 or 4 wherein the first and second screens have apertures of substantially the same dimensions.

6. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4 wherein each container is configured to receive material to be washed between the second and third screens.

7. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the conveyor has a plurality of container holders and wherein movement of the conveyor is indexed so as to move the container holders into position at the stations.

8. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein the stations and container holders are regularly spaced.

9. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8 wherein the container holders are apertures in the conveyor surface.

10. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the washing fluid delivery device is configured to deliver washing fluid from below a container.

1 1 . A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the washing fluid delivery device includes a rotating spray nozzle.

1 2. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 1 wherein the rotating spray nozzle is driven to rotate by the pressure of fluid passing through it.

1 3. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim configured to collect used washing fluid and recycle it.

14. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the rinsing fluid delivery device is configured to deliver rinsing fluid from above a container.

1 5. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the drying station includes a vacuum system for sucking moisture from a container.

16. A washing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein the drying station includes a heating system for heating a container.

1 7. A washing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 including first and second drying stations, wherein one of the drying stations is a vacuum system for extracting moisture from a container and the other of the drying stations is a heating system for heating a container.

1 8. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a container magazine at an input station, configured to hold a plurality of containers and release them one at a time onto the conveyor.

19. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 8 wherein the bottom of the container magazine is spaced from a top surface of the conveyor by a height less that the height of the containers, the top surface of the conveyor including a plurality of holes or depressions such that a container may drop from the magazine into one of the holes or depressions, but will slide on the top surface of the conveyor if not aligned with one of the holes or depressions.

20. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including an exit station in which a container exits the conveyor.

21 . A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the conveyor includes a rotating top plate having a plurality of apertures for receiving containers and a stationary deck on which the bottom surfaces of the containers ride when the top plate is rotated.

22. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 21 including two or more partitions arranged under the top plate creating one or more compartments, each compartment being associated with one of the stations.

23. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein the partitions remain stationary while the top plate rotates, the apparatus including two or more flexible sealing members which rotate with the top plate and align with the partitions to seal the sides of the compartments when the apertures align with the stations.

24. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a pump for pumping washing fluid through the washing fluid delivery device.

25. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim including a controller configured to control the conveyor.

26. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 25 wherein the controller also controls the flow of washing and rinsing fluids.

27. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 25 or 26 including a proximity sensor for indicating when containers carried by the conveyor are aligned with the stations, the controller receiving signals from the proximity sensor and controlling the conveyor accordingly.

28. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim further including a user interface allowing a user to adjust control parameters.

29. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 28 wherein the control parameters include one or more of: time period between conveyor movements, wash duration, rinse duration, vacuum duration and heating duration.

30. A modular washing apparatus including: i. one or more container modules for containing, in use, a material to be washed, each container module including a first screen having apertures dimensioned to retain the material to be washed but allowing washing fluid to flow through the screen to wash material contained in the container module; ii. a main module having: a. a plurality of stations, including: i. a washing station for washing material contained in a container module; ii. a rinsing station for rinsing material contained in a container module; and iii. a drying station for drying material contained in a container module; and b. a conveyor configured to move one or more container modules between the stations; iii. a washing component module configured to attach to the main module at the washing station; and iv. a rinsing component module configured to attach to the main module at the rinsing station.

31 . A modular washing apparatus as claimed in claim 30, further including a pump module for pumping fluid to the washing station.

32. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, being a portable washing apparatus configured for temporary set-up.

33. A washing apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim for washing of drill cutting samples from oil, gas or other wells.

34. A rotating nozzle for a washing apparatus including: a body having a circular bore therein; a sleeve within the circular bore; a nozzle shaft within the sleeve, the nozzle shaft rotating freely with respect to the body; and a nozzle arm attached to the nozzle shaft and having one or more nozzle outlets arranged such that fluid flowing through the nozzle drives rotation of the nozzle arm with respect to the body.

35. A washing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 substantially as herein described.

36. A washing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

37. A washing apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figures 4A to 9 of the accompanying drawings.