Alaska Patent of the Month – May 2024
MagTec Alaska, LLC is one of Alaska’s largest providers of equipment rentals, equipment services and camps in the Oil & Gas industries. Recently, the company has been granted a patent for their transportable slurry box – a solution poised to improve cold-weather drilling operations.
This device aims to prevent cuttings slurry from freezing during transport in frigid climates. Traditional vacuum boxes often struggle with this issue, leading to significant delays and operational inefficiencies. MagTec’s solution ensures seamless, efficient, and non-frozen slurry transport, even in the harshest conditions.
At the heart of this invention is a robust portable tank, designed to be easily transported by various vehicles. The tank’s interior is meticulously engineered to hold the cuttings slurry securely. Key to its functionality is an integrated heating unit, which generates a heated fluid flow. This heated fluid circulates through a strategically positioned heat loop within the tank, maintaining a consistent internal temperature to prevent freezing.
Adding to its efficiency, the tank is insulated, further enhancing its ability to retain heat. This thoughtful design ensures that the slurry remains in a fluid state, ready for unloading upon reaching its destination. The inclusion of a movable door provides easy access to the tank’s interior, facilitating straightforward loading and unloading processes.
The slurry box is equipped with a wheel set, allowing for smooth roll-on-roll-off operations from vehicles. This feature significantly reduces the time and labor typically required in slurry transport, optimizing overall operational workflows.
MagTec’s slurry box is not just a functional triumph but a robust, durable solution built to withstand the rigors of cold-weather operations. Its rectangular cuboid shape maximizes storage capacity while ensuring stability during transit. By integrating advanced heating technology and practical design elements, MagTec has set a new standard for slurry transport in the oil and gas industry, enhancing both efficiency and reliability in challenging environments.
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