Mud pump and vacuum gas extraction system
Methods for extracting hydrocarbon gas utilize a vacuum chamber with a mud chamber portion that is expandable and contractible. Gas is extracted at vacuum pressures.
1. A method of extracting hydrocarbon gas from hydrocarbon-bearing drilling mud, the method comprising the steps of:
flowing hydrocarbon-bearing drilling mud into a mud chamber portion of a degassing device, the mud chamber portion coupled to a gas valve and a mud valve;
generating with the mud chamber portion a suction stroke during which the gas valve is closed and the mud valve is closed, wherein the step of generating with the mud chamber portion a suction stroke comprises rotating a rotor within a degassing chamber and wherein the rotating the rotor within the degassing chamber results in two reciprocating cycles for degassing of the hydrocarbon-bearing drilling mud in the mud chamber portion and a separate mud chamber portion; and
generating with the mud chamber portion a discharge stroke during which the gas valve is open and the mud valve is closed.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of analyzing extracted gas comprises using a device selected from the group consisting of a mass spectrometer or a gas chromatograph.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing the extracted hydrocarbon gas from the mud chamber portion through the gas valve.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of:
flowing the extracted hydrocarbon gas to a gas sample line; and
flowing the extracted hydrocarbon gas through the gas sample line to a gas collection trap.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of flowing the drilling mud from the mud chamber portion.