WO2025244537A1

WO2025244537A1 - Segmented solid conveyor

Info

Publication number: WO2025244537A1
Application number: PCT/NO2025/050076
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sindre Åse LUNDE
Original assignee: Norwegian Technology As
Current assignee: Norwegian Technology As
Priority date: 2024-05-24
Filing date: 2025-05-05
Publication date: 2025-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-24

Abstract

A treatment apparatus (100) for releasing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the apparatus (100) comprising: a plurality of containers (160, 160', 160'', 160''', 160'''', 160''''') for receiving contaminated drilling cuttings; a treatment tunnel (121) comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer (140, 150) arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel (121) between the feed end and the output end; wherein the treatment tunnel (121) is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use drilling cuttings comprising oil can be provided in the plurality of containers (160, 160', 160'', 160''', 160'''', 160''''') and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel (121) while being exposed to microwave radiation such that at least a portion of oil from the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings.

Description

SEGMENTED SOLID CONVEYOR

FIELD

The present invention relates to systems and methods for treating drill cuttings using microwave radiation at earth drilling sites.

BACKGROUND

Drill cuttings are produced when drilling for oil and gas. Drill cuttings are a mixture of small rock fragments, oil, water and sometimes sand. The volume of drill cuttings produced depends on the length of the well being drilled and the diameter of the well. A typical well may be several kilometres long and up to around 0.5m in diameter at the upper section. This results in huge quantities of cuttings being brought to the surface which need to be disposed of. The cuttings brought to the surface take up a large volume and when stored together, for example in a container, and are extremely heavy.

During drilling operations, there is a continuous strive for efficiency as non-productive rig time is extremely expensive. In this regard, there must be sufficient space to receive the cuttings at all times so that the drilling operation can continually produce new cuttings which can be handled appropriately. Transportation of cuttings from offshore operations to land for disposal is extremely expensive and time consuming as it can only viably be performed by supply boat. As such, transportation is often interrupted in periods of extreme weather, which can therefore force a pause to drilling operations.

It is therefore highly desirable to dump the cuttings back into the sea, rather than transport the cuttings to land. However, the cuttings are usually contaminated with contaminants which are harmful to aquatic life and the environment. Therefore, dumping of drilling cuttings at sea is strictly regulated in many countries.

Contamination of the cuttings can take different forms. Sometimes the cuttings will contain natural hydrocarbons. However, more often, either in combination with natural hydrocarbons or instead of, the contaminant may come from the drilling operation itself. During drilling, a chemical mixture referred to as ‘drilling mud’ is pumped from the surface, through the drill string, to the drill bit located at the end of the drill string. The drilling mud returns to the surface in an annulus created between the drill string and the wellbore. The properties of the drilling mud are carefully engineered as the drilling mud must act as a lubricant and coolant for the drill bit, and must be capable of continuously carrying the cuttings to the surface.

Drilling muds are usually oil based when drilling is performed in difficult rock formations. The oil in the drilling mud provides good lubrication for the drill bit. This oil contaminates the drill cuttings and comprises 5-30% by weight of the cuttings. In some countries, regulations require less than 1 % oil by weight in drill cuttings if they are to be dumped into the sea. Drilling muds are highly engineered and expensive to produce. They are therefore recycled and reintroduced into the wellbore where possible. This saves costs in both the actual drilling mud and the transportation of the drilling mud to the offshore facility, which again is only viable by supply boat. It is therefore also desirable to clean the oil from the cuttings so that it can then be reintroduced into the wellbore.

There is therefore a great need to clean drill cuttings at their production site, i.e. at the rig located offshore. There is a need to clean the cuttings until they contain sufficiently low levels of contaminant that they can be dumped into the sea without causing harm to aquatic life or the environment.

Processing facilities that might be found for treating the cuttings on land are not a viable option on offshore facilities, mainly due to the limited real estate for such processing facilities on offshore structures.

It is known to use microwave radiation to treat drill cuttings. In essence, the cuttings are exposed to microwave radiation which has a profound effect on the water content in the cuttings. The water turns to steam at 100 degrees C at ambient pressure and passes through the rock/oil matrix at high velocity and physically strips the oil as it escapes the rock particles. This allows oil to be removed very efficiently at 100 degrees C (although pressures within the particles themselves can and will be higher in some examples, and thus so will the temperatures). In this way the cuttings are cleaned of oil. Microwave treatment of cuttings has many advantages, for example there are little or no moving parts, no noise emissions during treatment, very low oil concentration after treatment and the system can be very compact with a low footprint and weight.

References throughout to the cuttings being cleaned is intended to mean that the contaminant content is reduced, rather than the contaminant being fully extracted. It will be understood that there may still be some contaminant in the cuttings after such cleaning.

References throughout to cuttings is intended to mean solid rock cuttings and/or crushed rock and/or sludge and/or sticky mud. The cuttings are sometimes extracted from the well as well formed rock pieces. However, in some cases, the cuttings are of soup consistency, i.e. they are crushed in a viscous liquid/solid mix. References to cuttings therefore refers to all forms of cuttings which may be returned from the well in any mixture or consistency.

It will be understood that although the invention is described for cleaning drill cuttings of oil contaminants, as this is where the invention finds immediate utility, it may equally be used to remove contaminants from other matter, for example removing contaminants in other industrial or chemical processes.

Some attempts have been made to create suitable systems and methods of treating cuttings with microwave radiation at the offshore location, which are now briefly described.

EP2091673B1 describes electromagnetic treatment of contaminated materials, and proposes using a microwave treatment tunnel with a continuous loop conveyor belt running therethrough. Cuttings to be cleaned are placed on the conveyor belt and passed through the microwave treatment tunnel, which presents several problems. Firstly, the cuttings may be of various consistencies and may spill into and clog the conveyor system. Additionally, it is difficult to control the spread and thickness of the cuttings on the conveyor belt. An uneven spread of cuttings will result in some areas receiving far more radiation than others, thereby creating hot spots and causing non-uniform treatment of the cuttings. WO2017/178793A1 discloses a processing apparatus which comprises a microwave processing chamber and a rotatable feed wheel arranged such that a part of the feed wheel is located within the processing chamber. Cuttings are deposited onto a trough shaped outer surface of the feed wheel, where they are treated as they pass through the processing chamber as the wheel rotates, and then the cuttings are output to a storage vessel after they have been cleaned. This solution cannot be used with cuttings which have a soup consistency. Furthermore, the feed system is prone to jamming with cuttings, which will cause the apparatus to stop. Additionally, the solution is prone to providing an uneven feedrate, causing an uneven cuttings distribution, therefore there are likely to be locations without any cuttings. This will lead to uneven treatment or arcing, process stoppage and potentially hardware damage. Furthermore, the feeding of cuttings in this process is labour intensive. Sometimes cuttings may also bridge over the hopper, also causing stoppage. If the hopper is oversized then the cuttings may solidify in the hopper. Therefore, the hopper must be restricted in size. In practice, to get consistent feeding of the cuttings, oil is added to the screw conveyor which feeds the wheel with cuttings to be treated. This further contaminates the cuttings and makes the cuttings harder to treat. Where further treatment is required, the wheel cannot be easily adapted to add further processing chambers in series or parallel. Each further processing unit would therefore require a further feed and a further discharge unit.

In both prior art solutions the untreated cuttings are required to be continually mixed and/or mixed with water or oil to avoid solidification in the buffer tanks where the untreated cuttings are stored prior to treatment. Solidification of the cuttings usually results in a solid brick weighing tens of tonnes. Breaking up of the solid brick is time consuming and labour intensive. Treated cuttings tend to expand, aggregate and attach to surfaces during the drying phase. When using a conveyor belt, the cuttings form one long brick which has to be cut into manageable segments. Conventional conveyor belts of flexible material have several limitations. The conveyor belt is prone to the same feed challenges as the circular solid conveyor. In addition, uneven feeding and thus microwave arching will damage the conveyor belt and potentially stop the treatment process. The high process temperature, oil vapours and the nature of cuttings (small liquid particles) will wear on the conveyor belt and eventually break down the coating layer, thus requiring maintenance and/or requiring the belt to be replaced. Where a belt is used there are limitations on the belt material as the material needs to be both microwave transparent and flexible. Alternating temperatures and oil coating will also affect the belt conveying process, causing the belt to slip. Stopping the cuttings conveying through the microwave will ultimately lead to cuttings overheating and melting (damage) to the conveyor belt. Another effect of the belt treatment is the solid aggregates being formed during treatment. This large brick structure will be relatively rigid and heavy and can cause process challenges during operation.

It is an object of the invention to address at least one of the aforementioned problems.

Patent document US8789583B2 discloses a method for separating hydrocarbon content from a hydrocarbon contaminated matrix. The method includes controlling water content of a feed material having the hydrocarbon contaminated matrix; continuously conveying the feed material into a treatment cavity; exposing the feed material in a treatment area of the treatment cavity to microwave radiation arranged to cause rapid heating of at least a portion of the water content to form steam, wherein the rapid steam formation results in thermal desorption of at least a portion of the hydrocarbon content from the matrix; and continuously removing the treated matrix from the treatment cavity.

Patent document US5487873A discloses methods and apparatus for treating waste with radio frequency including a wall defining a radio frequency treatment chamber through which waste may be passed. A source of radio frequency energy energizes the radio frequency treatment chamber to heat the waste and drive off vapors therefrom leaving solid residue to be disposed of. A guard heater and/or insulation maintains the wall at substantially the same temperature as the waste being heated by the radio frequency to prevent vapors from condensing on the waste. Patent document US6768089B2 discloses a microwave continuous heating apparatus provided with a heating compartment having openings at its front and rear portions and a transfer device which carries a to-be-heated object held thereon through the heating compartment. Microwave electric power is irradiated onto the to-be-heated object that passes through the heating compartment to heat the same. Two microwave absorbing compartments, through which the to-be-heated object passes, are connected to the front and the rear portions of the heating compartment, respectively. A plurality of reflecting plates of metal which are spaced from each other in a forward-and-backward direction are transferred by the transfer device. The object to be heated is placed between two adjacent reflecting plates. The reflecting plates are placed on the transfer device so that at least one reflecting plate is positioned in each microwave absorbing compartment, at least during irradiation of microwaves into the heating compartment.

Patent document US10822175B2 discloses a buffer device and a method for buffering piece goods, in particular containers, bottles or packages, with a buffer area, a feed device for supplying piece goods to the buffer area, a discharge device for discharging piece goods from the buffer area. The device additionally comprises several circulating, independently drivable row pushers which can transport the piece goods in the direction of transport through the buffer area.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a treatment apparatus for releasing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated drilling cuttings; a treatment tunnel comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; wherein the treatment tunnel is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use drilling cuttings comprising oil can be provided in the plurality of containers and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel while being exposed to microwave radiation such that at least a portion of oil from the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings.

The apparatus may comprise at least one vapour handling apparatus operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to process fluid released from the drilling cuttings in use.

The at least one vapour handling apparatus may be configured to handle the oil released from the drilling cuttings.

The vapour handling apparatus may be directly connected to the treatment tunnel.

The vapour handling apparatus may comprise one or more condensers are arranged to collect the oil.

In some cases, where the oil is boiled, the condensers may condense and collect the oil. In some cases, where the oil is not boiled, the condensers may simply collect the oil. The water and/or oil may be collected by alternative means.

The condenser may be an indirect condenser that contacts the process vapour with a cold surface that is cooled using a cooling medium that does not contact the process vapour.

The condenser may be a shell and tube condenser.

Volatile and semi-volatile components of the process vapour stream may be condensed and recovered from the process in liquid form.

The vapour handling apparatus may comprise one or more oxidisers

The vapour handling apparatus may be a direct contact absorber/cooler that contacts the process vapour with a liquid. The liquid may act to cool the process vapour and cause direct condensation, and to absorb gaseous components from the process vapour into the contacting liquid.

The contacting liquid may be water.

The contacting liquid may be one or more of: an alcohol; ketone; ester; non-polar hydrocarbon. The direct contact absorber/cooler may take the form of one or more of: a packed column; falling film, venturi scrubber; spray column.

The vapour handling apparatus may be a membrane filtration system that separates volatile and semi-volatile components from the process vapour via a pressure differential across the membrane filter.

The vapour handling apparatus may be an adsorption system that may capture volatile and semi-volatile components from the process vapour and may allow non-condensable components of the process vapour to pass through. Nonlimiting examples of adsorbents may include activated carbon and/or diatomaceous earth.

The vapour handling apparatus may be a reactive separation system that may chemically transform selective components within the process vapour and thereby separate them from the remaining components within the process vapour.

The vapour handling apparatus may be a combustion unit that safely transforms volatile and semi-volatile organic components into primarily carbon dioxide and water.

The vapour handling apparatus may be a momentum-based separation system that separates liquid droplets and fine solids from the process vapour stream. Non-limiting examples include mist eliminator and cyclone.

The vapour handling apparatus may be a combination of one or more of the above mentioned first to seventh alternative vapour handling apparatuses.

The plurality of containers may each configured to receive solid rock cuttings and/or crushed rock and/or sludge and/or sticky mud in use.

The treatment tunnel may comprise a plurality of modules each configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the plurality of containers as the plurality of containers pass through the tunnel in use.

The plurality of modules may comprise at least: a first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module. At least one microwave producer may arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module. The at least one microwave producer may comprise two microwave producers or three microwave producers or four microwave producers or more than four microwave producers.

The at least one microwave producer may comprise a first microwave producer and a second microwave producer.

The plurality of modules may comprise: a first central module; a second central module further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module and the second central module. The first microwave producer may be arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module. The second microwave producer may be arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the second central module.

The treatment apparatus may further comprise: a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module in use.

The treatment apparatus may further comprise a plurality of chokes each arranged between adjacent modules. The plurality of chokes may be configured to stop microwave radiation from escaping the tunnel in use.

Each of the plurality of containers may be open-topped or partially opentopped.

Each of the plurality of containers may comprise a lid configured to allow gas to flow therethrough but not solids.

Each of the plurality of containers may comprise a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

Each of the plurality of containers may comprise a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein all of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall are provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

At least one of the plurality of containers may comprise a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

One or more of the plurality of containers may be formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyetherimide or polytetrafluoroethylene or polybenzimidazole. Each of the plurality of containers may be formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyetherimide or polytetrafluoroethylene or polybenzimidazole.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a system comprising: the treatment apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention; feeder apparatus operatively connected to the feed end of the treatment tunnel and configured to provide a stream of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; and output apparatus operatively connected to the output end of the treatment tunnel and configured to receive a stream of containers from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

The feeder apparatus may comprise: a piston arranged to push each of the plurality of containers into the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; a feeder tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers and delivering the plurality of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel such that the piston can push the plurality of containers into the feed end in use.

The feeder tray may be configured to buffer a plurality of containers near the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use.

The output apparatus may comprise a movement means arranged to push the plurality of containers away from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

The movement means may comprise one or more of: a piston; motorised rollers and a solenoid. The output apparatus may further comprise an output tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers in use.

The output apparatus may comprise a container emptying station configured to empty the plurality of containers of drilling cuttings in use.

The container emptying station may comprise: a container emptying device configured to remove the drilling cuttings from the plurality of containers in use; and a cuttings receiving tank configured to receive the removed cuttings from the container emptying device in use.

The container emptying device may be configured to rotate the container around a horizontal axis in use, such that the drilling cuttings can fall out of the container.

The container emptying device may be further configured to jar the plurality of containers to release the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

The container emptying device may be further configured to shake the plurality of containers to release the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

The container emptying device may be further configured to vacuum the plurality of containers to remove the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

The container emptying station may further comprise a container return elevator.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for releasing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the method comprising the steps of:

1 . providing a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated drilling cuttings in use;

2. providing a treatment tunnel configured to provide reflection and containment of microwave radiation and comprising a feed end and an output end in use;

3. providing a microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end;

4. providing drilling cuttings comprising oil into each of the plurality of containers;

5. passing the plurality of containers from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel; such that at least a portion of the oil in the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings.

The method may further comprise the step of:

6. providing a second microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; before step 5; such that at least a second portion of the oil in the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings.

Step 3 may further comprise arranging the microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a first central module between the feed end and the output end.

Step 6 may further comprise arranging the second microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a second central module between the feed end and the output end; wherein the second central module is provided further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module.

The method may further comprise the step of:

7. providing a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings in use between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module; before step 5.

Step 5 may further comprise operating the monoethylene glycol unit to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings in at least one of the plurality of containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig 1 shows a schematic of a first example of a segmented conveyor system for treating drill cuttings at an offshore location;

Figs. 2a-2d show plan views of a feed zone of the segmented conveyor system of Fig 1 ;

Fig 3 shows a plan view of an output zone of the segemented conveyor system of Fig 1 ;

Fig 4 shows a detailed view of a tunnel in the segmented conveyor system of Fig. 1 ; and

Figs. 5a and 5b shows a first container of the segmented conveyor system of Fig 1 ;

Figs. 5c and 5d show a second container of the segmented conveyor system of Fig 1 ;

Figure 6 shows a second example of a segmented conveyor system;

Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the output zone of the second example of the segmented conveyor system of Fig. 6; and

Figure 8 shows a third example of a segmented conveyor system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

First example

Fig 1 shows a first example of a segmented conveyor system 100 for cleaning cuttings comprising a feed zone 110, a conveyor zone 120 and an output zone 130. The system 100 further comprises a first microwave 140 and a second microwave 150 which are each configured to provide microwave radiation to portions of the conveyor zone 120 as will be described in more detail later. The segmented conveyor system 100 is arranged to move material storage containers (not shown in Fig 1 ) from the feed zone 110, through a tunnel 121 which spans the conveyor zone 120, to the output zone 130. As the material storage containers (herein after referred to as containers) pass through the tunnel 121 , cuttings within each container are exposed to microwave radiation from the first 140 and second 150 microwaves, thereby cleaning the cuttings in each of the containers of contaminants, such as oil. Each of the feed zone 110, conveyor zone 120, and output zone 130 is now described in more detail, followed by a description of the containers used to hold the cuttings in the system 100.

Feed Zone

The feed zone 110 is configured to temporarily store multiple containers (not shown in Fig 1 ), and feed each container into the tunnel 121 spanning the conveyor zone 120 when required. The feed zone 110 comprises a feeder tray 111 which is closed by a lid 112. The lid 112 comprises a plurality of windows 113 which allow a technician to view containers within the feeder tray 111 , thereby allowing manual inspection of the cuttings in the containers. The containers are arranged to move in the feeder tray 111 firstly in the y-direction and then in the x-direction when they are moved into the tunnel 121 .

Figs 2a-2c show a plan view inside the feed tray 111. Referring firstly to Fig 2a, at the beginning of a process to treat drill cuttings, a plurality of containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” are loaded inside the feed tray 111 for feeding into the tunnel 121. The feed tray 111 is configured such that each container 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” after the first container 160 moves, in sequence, into the position of the first container 160 shown in Fig. 2a, as the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” move in sequence into the tunnel 121 , without the assistance of a manual operator.

In the most simple arrangement to achieve this, the feed tray 111 may be configured such that the surface upon which the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” lay is not horizontal, and is instead inclined with the entry point to the tunnel 121 being at a lower end of the incline of the feed tray 111. Additionally, the surface upon which the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” lay may be provided with a surface coating which assists in ease of movement of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” without manual operator intervention. Alternatively, the surface upon which the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” lay may be provided with mechanical means for assisting movement of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””, such as, but not limited to, rollers or a conveyor belt. In this connection, rollers, a conveyor belt or any other mechanical means, would be configured to allow movement of the containers in the y-direction.

Each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” comprises a quantity of cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” to be cleaned. The cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” may initially be put into their respective containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” by any known loading means, such as, but not limited to, funnelling the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” from the shale shakers, or temporarily passing the cuttings through a buffer tank or hopper. In some examples, the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” may be loaded using a feed hopper based on a screw with hydraulic feeding to distribute the cuttings evenly. In some examples, the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may sit on weight cells that determine if the desired weight of cuttings has been added to the respective container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””. Each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may then be shaken to distribute the cuttings evenly within the container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””. In some examples, there may be provided one or more radar sensors (not shown) to monitor the amount and distribution of cuttings within the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””. The containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may be stacked in a buffer tank before proceeding. In some offshore operations, the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may be filled directly from the shakers. In some examples, the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” may be dried in a separate process before being delivered to the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””. For example, the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” may be dried in a drying system. Non-limiting examples of suitable drying systems include shaleshakers, cuttings centrifuges and vibrating screens. A vibrating screen may work as a mud return system such that the mud can be used to lubricate other components, such as a screw conveyor for cuttings transport. Drying of the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170”’, 170””, 170’”” in such a drying system may lead to increased overall efficiency of the treatment.

In the presently described example, the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” are arranged to be fed into the tunnel 121 one at a time and back to back, such that little or no space is left between adjacent containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” as they pass through the tunnel 121. In this way, air gaps are avoided which is necessary for high power microwave distillation systems, as air gaps can cause arching and damage to the microwave cavity or hardware. If the system 100 is used with low power density microwave units, the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may be fed with air gaps therebetween. It may still be desirable to ensure there are no gaps between containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” as they are fed through the system 100 even when using low power density microwave units, as abutment of adjacent containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” ensures that the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” do not move out of their desired position with motion of the vessel on which the system 100 is located. For example, if the system 100 is located on a semi-submersible drilling rig, a ship or an FPSO, the system 100 may be subjected to motions created by the sea. This would cause undesired movement of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” in the system 100 and may result in containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” not being exposed to enough microwave radiation, or too much microwave radiation. Additionally, unplanned and undesirable movement of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may cause damage to the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” or to other components of the system 100. Damage to the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may cause spillage of the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” therein, which may block and clog the system 100, resulting in downtime and/or expensive repair and maintenance. In this connection, the feeder tray 111 is provided with a first pneumatic piston 114 for pushing each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” into the tunnel 121 , as shown in Figs. 2a-2c. In the example shown, the first pneumatic piston 114 moves from a first position shown in Fig. 2a, through an intermediate position in Fig. 2b where the first pneumatic piston 114 is pushing the first container 160 into the tunnel 121 , to a second position shown in Fig. 2c. The first pneumatic piston 114 then returns to the first position again, as shown in Fig. 2d such that the first pneumatic piston 114 can move the second container 160’ into the tunnel 121 directly behind the first container 160, as previously explained. There is also provided a transfer piston 114A which is optionally provided to assist in pushing the containers 160 through the tunnel 121 . Although not shown in Figs. 2a-2d, the feeder tray 111 may be provided with a sensor to detect when a new container 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” has moved into the position of the first container 160 shown in Fig. 2a. In this connection, a control system may be configured to only operate the first pneumatic piston 114 after a new container 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” has moved into the desired position and is ready to be pushed into the tunnel 121 by the first pneumatic piston 114. It will be understood that any appropriate sensor may be used to detect when a new container 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” has moved into the desired position, such as, but not limited to, a touch sensor, a light sensor or an electromagnetic sensor. In some examples, each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” in the system 100 may be provided with an electronic tag which can be used both to activate the sensor to detect when the container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” has moved into the desired position, and to keep track of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” as they move through the system 100. In this regard, further sensors may be positioned around the system 100 with feedback to the control system, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art.

Cuttings may be dropped into containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” by a volumetric feeding system (not shown).

The feed tray 111 may further be configured with an agitation means (not shown) for sufficiently agitating and spreading the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” to be cleaned to ensure that the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” are spread across their respective container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” with a known bed depth. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be a uniform 4cm, for example. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be between 3cm and 5cm. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be between 8cm and 16cm.

Directly after preparation in the feed zone 110, the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170”’, 170””, 170’”” are exposed to microwave radiation in the conveyor zone 120. Successful contaminant removal depends on the energy applied by the first 140 and second 150 microwaves and the water content in the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’””. The use of a plurality of containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” allows the system to be configured in some examples with a means for individually sampling the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” in the respective containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””, to analyse the water content of each individual batch of cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’””. In this connection, the system 100 may further comprise a control system (not shown) which analyses the water content in cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” in containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” being fed into the tunnel 121 , and automatically adjusts the energy of the microwave radiation which those particular cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” are exposed to when their respective container 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” is treated with microwave radiation. This provides optimisation of the energy consumption of the system 100, and provides optimised radiation exposure for small quantities of cuttings, thereby ensuring that the cuttings are cleaned of contaminants effectively.

In some examples, the control system may comprise infrared temperature sensors after each microwave cavity. The infrared temperature sensors may function as monitoring devices to ensure the cuttings are fully treated. For example, it may be decided that a temperature above 120 degrees Celsius means the cuttings are treated to completion. Such an arrangement may avoid the need to know the fluid content in the cuttings as they are fed into the system. This may reduce operator interaction with the system. The system may therefore be easier to operate.

Alternatively, cameras may be used. Furthermore, sampling of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” as they enter the tunnel 121 allows a mass balance of oil and water condensed out of the system 100 to be performed. Due to the similarities with the feed zone 110, the output zone 130 is described next.

In some examples (not shown), the feed zone may comprise containers stacked one on top of the other, rather than utilising sideways feeding as described herein.

Output Zone

As shown in Fig. 3, the output zone 130 is configured to temporarily store the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” after the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” have passed through the tunnel 121 where the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” inside the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” are treated. The output zone 130 comprises an output tray 131 which is closed by a lid 132. Although not present in the described example, the lid 132 may comprise a plurality of windows similar to the windows 113 present in the lid 112. Such windows would allow a technician to view the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” within the output tray 131 , thereby allowing manual inspection of the treated cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” in the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””. The containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” are arranged to move in the output tray 131 firstly in the x-direction and then in the (negative) y-direction when they are moved out of the tunnel 121 .

Fig. 3 shows a plan view inside the output tray 131 . The output tray 131 is configured such that each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” moves, in sequence, away from the tunnel 121 to keep the exit of the tunnel 121 clear for a continuous stream of containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” without the assistance of a manual operator. In the most simple arrangement to achieve this, the output tray 131 is configured such that the surface upon which the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” lay is not horizontal, and is instead inclined with the exit point of the tunnel 121 being at a higher end of the incline of the output tray 131. Additionally, the surface upon which the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” lay may be provided with a surface coating which assists in ease of movement of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” without manual operator intervention. Alternatively, the surface upon which the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” lay may be provided with mechanical means for assisting movement of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’””, such as, but not limited to, rollers or a conveyor belt. In this connection, rollers, a conveyor belt or any other mechanical means, would be configured to allow movement of the containers in the (negative) y- direction. Alternatively, as shown in Fig 3, the output tray 131 is provided with a second pneumatic piston 134 for pushing each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” away from the exit of the tunnel 121. In the example shown, the second pneumatic piston 134 moves from a first position shown in Fig. 3 to a second position (not shown) to displace the plurality of containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160”” in the output tray 131 in the (negative) y-direction, and then returns to the first position again, thereby continually creating space at the exit of the tunnel 121 for a constant stream of containers. The first pneumatic piston 114 and second pneumatic piston 134 may be replaced by hydraulic cylinders in some examples.

As previously explained with reference to the feed zone, in some examples the containers may be stacked one on top of the other in the feed zone. The same applies to the output zone, that is to say, in the output zone the containers may be stacked one on top of the other in the output zone in some examples.

In some examples and depending on further processes which may be applied to the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” after the presently described process, the output tray 131 may further be configured with an agitation means (not shown) for sufficiently agitating the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” after the cuttings have been cleaned to ensure that the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” do not solidify. The agitation means may be for example, a vibrator within the output tray 131 which is configured to cause vibration of the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” to agitate the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’””. If no further processes are to be applied, the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” may be allowed to solidify during the process, thereby producing solid segments of standardised length, height, width, volume and weight.

Regardless of if the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” are left to stand for a period of time before being emptied, or are emptied straight away, it is preferred that the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” will enter a container emptying device (not shown). The container emptying device may rotate and optionally shake each container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” thereby attempting to empty the container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” before sending the container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” to a check and weighing station. The check and weighing station (not shown) will use sensors to determine if the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” are empty. Further shaking or agitation may be used if a container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” is not fully emptied. The containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” may then by inspected either by manual human inspection or by sensors, such that any damaged containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” can be removed from circulation.

It will be understood that the output zone 131 may be adapted for the specific application and requirements. In this connection, the output zone 131 may further comprise additional storage or processing equipment.

Conveyor Zone

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, the conveyor zone 120 is now described in more detail. As previously described, the conveyor zone 120 comprises a tunnel 121 through which containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” can pass internally through. In the preferred example shown in Fig 4, the tunnel 121 is closed on all sides (apart from the inlet and outlet) to form a passage which fully surrounds the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” as they pass therethrough. This provides reflection and containment of microwave radiation from the first 140 and second 150 microwaves.

As a container 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” is passed through the tunnel 121 from the feed zone 110 to the output zone 130, the container 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” and therefore the respective cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” are exposed to microwave radiation, thereby causing extraction of contaminants in known ways. To provide microwave radiation, each of the first 140 and second 150 microwaves are arranged with respective first 141 and second 151 waveguides for channeling microwave radiation to the tunnel 121. The tunnel 121 comprises a plurality of modules 121 a-121 k which are configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” passing through the tunnel 121. The presently described arrangement may provide an even microwave power density across the width of the tunnel 121 , and may accommodate a range of cutting bed depths and feedstock properties.

Firstly considering only the first microwave 140 - microwave radiation is generated in the microwave 140 and is guided to the tunnel 121 by the first waveguide 141 . For clarity, referring to Fig 4 which shows the tunnel 121 alone, radiation from the first microwave 140 enters the tunnel 121 into a first central module 121 d and spreads into adjacent modules 121a, 121b, 121c, 121e. The first central module 121 d and the adjacent modules 121a, 121 b, 121c, 121 e are each configured to reflect and contain the microwave radiation, and provide an even concentration of microwave radiation to the cuttings inside the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160’”, 160””, 160’”” passing through the tunnel 121. The tunnel 121 is configured with chokes 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d, 122e, 122f to ensure that microwave radiation from the first microwave 140 does not escape from the tunnel 121.

Now considering the second microwave 150 - microwave radiation is generated in the second microwave 150 and is guided to the tunnel 121 by the second waveguide 151. It will be understood that the second microwave 150 provides microwave radiation to the tunnel 121 , and that the microwave radiation enters the tunnel 121 at a second central module 121 h and spreads into adjacent modules 121 g, 121 i, 121 j, 121 k. The second central module 121 h and the adjacent modules 121 g, 121 i, 121j, 121 k are each configured to reflect and contain the microwave radiation, and provide an even concentration of microwave radiation to the containers 160, 160’, 160”, 160”’, 160””, 160’”” passing through the tunnel 121. The tunnel 121 is configured with chokes 122g, 122h, 122i, 122j, 122k, 1221 to ensure that microwave radiation does not escape from the tunnel 121.

In the presently described example shown in Figs 1 and 4, the tunnel 121 is arranged for receiving microwave radiation from two, i.e. the first 140 and second 150, microwaves. The tunnel 121 may be adapted to add any number of additional modules to add further microwaves in series. As an example only, typical dimensions of the first waveguide 141 and the first central module 121 d together are around 50cm X 80cm X 40cm. This provides the possibility to add a number of microwaves in series without requiring a large footprint for the system 100, and without the need to add further feed 110 and output 130 zones.

Still referring to Fig 4, in the preferred example currently described, the first central module 121d and second central module 121 h comprise a first 123 and second 124 condenser, respectively. In the first condenser 123, oil and water vapour are condensed. The oil is reused, typically, but not essentially, in recirculated drilling mud. Condensed water is typically discharged to the sea. As will be explained in more detail later, the water and oil may in some cases be of mixed phases. That is to say, in some cases, the water and oil may be entirely vapour when they reach the condenser. In other cases, only the water will be vapour and the condenser will collect the already liquid oil which is transported out of the drilling cuttings by the water as it boils. A person skilled in the art will understand that the power of the microwaves provided will significantly influence the vapourising of the water and/or oil. It is to be understood that the condenser may therefore, in some cases, simply collect the oil and in other cases may condense the oil and collect it. The function of the second condenser 124 will be explained later however the above description relates also to the second condenser 124 as well as all further condensers described in the present disclosure. It will be understood that the system may be provided without one or more condensers, and the released oil (and water) may be collected and/or processed by means of alternative apparatus in addition to or instead of utilising one or more condensers. It will be understood that the provision of one or more condensers to help collect the oil (and water) is therefore optional.

Still referring to Fig 4, the tunnel 121 further comprises a monoethylene glycol injection unit 125 located in the tunnel 121 between the first group of modules 121a, 121 b, 121c, 121d, 121 e associated with the first microwave 140, and the second group of modules 121g, 121 h, 121 i, 121j, 121 k associated with the second microwave 150. The monoethylene glycol injection unit 125 is configured to add monoethelyene glycol to the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170”’, 170””, 170’”” before they proceed for treatment by the second microwave 150. In the second condenser 124, monoethelyene glycol and oil are condensed. The oil is reused, typically, but not essentially, in recirculated drilling mud. The condensed monoethelyene glycol is reused by the monoethylene glycol unit 125 which adds the condensed monoethelyene glycol to another, different, batch of cuttings from the batch from which the monoethelyene glycol was extracted from.

It will be understood that the system may be provided without one or more condensers, and the monoethelyene glycol may be collected and/or processed by means of alternative apparatus in addition to or instead of utilising one or more condensers. It will be understood that the provision of one or more condensers to help collect the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol is therefore optional.

Monoethelyene glycol is used as a polishing agent in cases where the steam stripping process does not meet the required specification for residual oil content in the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” after they are cleaned. By polishing the cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’”” with monoethelyene glycol, residual oil levels of less than 0.1 wt% may be achieved in some examples. The monoethelyene glycol wets and penetrates within the pore structure of dried cuttings 170, 170’, 170”, 170’”, 170””, 170’””. Monoethelyne glycol absorbs microwaves and boils at around 200 degrees C at ambient pressure. Monoethelyne glycol boils faster than water when exposed to microwave radiation. Therefore, the addition of monoethelyne glycol may provide an extra stripping effect due to the high velocity glycol passing through the rock matrix. Additionally, the addition of monoethelyne glycol may allow the process to operate at a higher temperature than could be obtained if water alone was used as the stripping and distillation agent.

Using monoethelyene glycol may allow the latent heat in the monoethelyene glycol to be reused thereby easing the energy requirements.

Containers

Reference is now made to Figs. 5a to 5e, which show examples of first 160 and second 160’ containers used in the system 100. It is intended that the containers 160, 160’ of the system are recycled, in that they are emptied of processed cuttings and refilled with cuttings to be processed. Alternatively, the containers 160, 160’ may be single use and the processed cuttings may be stored for a period in their respective container 160, 160’. In this regard, it will be understood that any number of containers 160, 160’ may be used in the system 100. The containers 160, 160’ can be easily taken out of circulation from the system 100 by simply being emptied of processed cuttings and not returned to the system 100, for example if they become damaged, thus improving the reliability of the system 100 and avoiding downtime as broken containers 160, 160’ can be quickly removed to avoid blockage, spillage of cuttings or further damage to components of the system 100.

In Figures 5a and 5b the first container 160 is in the form of a trough, with slanted sides whereas in Figures 5c to 5e the second container 160’ does not comprise slanted sides. Said another way, the sides of the second container 160’ are at right angles to the base, as will be described in more detail later.

In the described examples, containers 160, 160’ are of Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) plastic, which is both thermomechanically and chemically stable, and is a robust plastic for the industrial application. PEEK is microwave transparent, such that the microwaves can penetrate the box and reach the cuttings therein. PEEK can survive very high temperatures, such as temperatures around 300 degrees Celsius. Additionally, PEEK has low friction properties which make it particularly suitable for holding processed cuttings, as the cuttings can then easily be removed from the PEEK containers 160, 160’ when required. For very high temperature applications, the PEEK may be coated. For example, fire ceramic may be used as a coating on the PEEK. Using containers 160, 160’ made of PEEK or other solid materials allows the containers 160, 160’ to hold cuttings in all forms which they may return from a wellbore, i.e. dry/wet cuttings, sludge, liquid, etc.

PEEK is a low friction material. It will therefore be understood that the containers may experience low friction against the surface they are moved around upon. In some examples it may be desirable to provide the bottom surface of the container with a ceramic material. In some examples the entire base may be a ceramic material. In some examples a ceramic coating may be applied to the base.

In alternative examples not described in detail herein in the interest of brevity, the containers may be formed of materials that can be used with process temperature over 100 degrees Celsius or over 110 degrees Celsius or over 120 degrees Celsius or over 130 degrees Celsius.

In some examples the containers may be formed of a material with a high chemical stability, robustness and low dielectric loss factor of below 0.1 . Advantageously the material may have a good thermal-shock resistance.

In alternative examples, the containers may be formed of one or more of: ceramic materials; plastic materials; composites containing both plastic and ceramic materials. Non-limiting examples of suitable plastic materials include: polyetherimide, polytetrafluoroethylene and polybenzimidazole.

Non-limiting examples of suitable ceramic materials include: alumina, zirconia, silicon nitride, aluminium nitride and boron nitride. Composites may be formed, which may comprise a plastic structural layer and an inner ceramic layer that contacts the process feedstock. Additionally, as oil is extracted from the cuttings, it cannot seep into either of the first 140 or second 150 microwaves and damage them, as is a potential risk when using a conveyor belt to transport the cuttings during treatment.

It is preferred that each container 160, 160’ in the system is of a fixed size, shape and weight, thereby allowing automated filling and moving of the containers by the system components previously described.

If no agitation means is used at the output zone 130, the cuttings can solidify into bricks in the containers 160, 160’. It is highly advantageous to have a plurality of bricks which can be easily removed from the containers 160, 160’ and transported, stacked, and disposed of, as opposed to one (much larger) block of solidified cuttings.

As shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, the first container 160 comprises a base 161 , a front end 162, a rear end 163 and first 164 and second 165 side walls, together forming an open topped box. In the present example, the containers 160 are substantially rectangular. However, it will be understood that the containers 160 may be cuboidal or any other appropriate shape for continuous movement through the system 100.

Where agitation or mixing of the processed cuttings is performed, the processed cuttings may be easily scooped, poured or vacuumed from the containers, therefore in such cases the angled side walls of the first container 160 are not required. Where no agitation or mixing of the processed cuttings is performed, the containers 160 may be configured as shown in Figs. 5a and 5b, with the first 164 and second 165 side walls, and front 162 and rear 163 walls are angled with respect to the base 161 to assist in the removal of the processed cuttings from within the containers 160. In this regard, processed cuttings can be removed from the containers 160 simply by turning the containers 160 upside down. In some cases, shaking the container 160 and/or striking the outside surface of the base 161 may assist in the removal of the cuttings although may not be required in many cases. A small and manageable block of solidified cuttings will then easily fall from within the container 160. Since the cuttings are formed in a dense block, rather than being loose particles, the block can be dumped into the sea and will sink to the bottom before breaking up and spreading across the seabed. Although not shown in the enclosed figures, it is envisaged that the emptying of the processed cuttings from the containers 160 and filling of the emptied containers 160 with cuttings to be processed may be automised.

Referring now to Figures 5c to 5e, the second container 160’ does not comprise angled walls with respect to the base. That is to say, the second container 160’ comprises a base 16T, a front end 162’, a rear end 163’ and first 164’ and second 165’ side walls, together forming an open topped box. In the present example, the containers 160’ are substantially rectangular. However, it will be understood that the containers 160’ may be cuboidal or any other appropriate shape for continuous movement through the system 100. Since the second container 160’ is not provided angled walls, the cuttings may not fall from the second container 160’ as easily as they may from the first container 160’. Therefore, where the second container 160’ is used in the system, it may be advantageous to provide a mechanism for jarring the second containers 160’ and/or agitating the cuttings to assist in their removal. Agitation of the cuttings may be provided by a vibration means.

Alternative examples

Alternative examples of the system 100 are now provided with reference to Figures 6 to 8. As will be explained, many of the components presented in the alternative examples in Figure 6 to 8 are the same or similar to the components of the system 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Therefore, like reference numerals are used to indicate like parts, with the addition of prime (') in the second example shown in Figures 6 and 7 and double prime (") in the third example shown in Figure 8.

Second example

Fig 6 shows a second example of a segmented conveyor system 100’ for cleaning cuttings comprising a feed zone 110’, a conveyor zone 120’ and an output zone 130’. The system 100’ further comprises a first microwave 140’A, a second microwave 140’B, a third microwave 140’C and a fourth microwave 140’D which are each configured to provide microwave radiation to portions of the conveyor zone 120’ as will be described in more detail later. The feed zone 110’, conveyor zone 120’ and output zone 130’ are provided for substantially the same reasons as described with reference to the first example shown in Figures 1 to 4, albeit with modifications with respect to the first example as will now be described. The second example is provided with a tunnel 12T which spans the conveyor zone 120’. Similarly to as previously described with reference to the first example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the feed zone 110’ of the second example comprises a feeder tray 11 T which is closed by a lid (not shown in Figure 6) comprising a plurality of windows (not shown) as previously described. The containers are arranged to move in the feeder tray 11 T firstly in the y-direction and then in the x-direction when they are moved into the tunnel 12T.

To allow the containers to move in sequence into the tunnel 12T, without the assistance of a manual operator, the feed tray 11 T may be configured such that the surface upon which the containers lay is not horizontal, and is instead inclined with the entry point to the tunnel 12T being at a lower end of the incline of the feed tray 11 T. Additionally, the surface upon which the containers lay may be provided with a surface coating which assists in ease of movement of the containers without manual operator intervention. Alternatively, the surface upon which the containers lay may be provided with mechanical means for assisting movement of the containers, such as, but not limited to, rollers or a conveyor belt. In this connection, rollers, a conveyor belt or any other mechanical means, would be configured to allow movement of the containers in the y-direction.

The quantity of cuttings to be cleaned may be loaded into the respective containers in any of the ways described with reference to the first example.

As in the first example, in the presently described second example, the containers are arranged to be fed into the tunnel 12T one at a time and back to back, such that little or no space is left between adjacent containers as they pass through the tunnel 121 . If the system 100’ is used with low power density microwave units, the containers may be fed with air gaps therebetween.

The feeder tray 11 T is provided with a first hydraulic piston 114’ for pushing each container into the tunnel 12T in a similar fashion as previously described for the system 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4. Although not shown the feeder tray 11 T, and other components of the system 100’, may be provided with sensor(s) and control system(s) as previously described with reference to the system 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4

Similarly, the feed tray 11 T may further be configured with an agitation means (not shown) for sufficiently agitating and spreading the cuttings to be cleaned to ensure that the cuttings are spread across their respective container with a known bed depth. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be a uniform 4cm, for example. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be between 3cm and 5cm.

Directly after preparation in the feed zone 110’, the cuttings are exposed to microwave radiation in the conveyor zone 120’. Successful contaminant removal depends on the energy applied by the microwaves and the water content in the cuttings. The use of a plurality of containers allows the system to be configured in some examples with a means for individually sampling the cuttings in the respective containers, to analyse the water content of each individual batch of cuttings. In this connection, the system 100’ may further comprise a control system (not shown) which analyses the water content in cuttings in containers being fed into the tunnel 12T, and automatically adjusts the energy of the microwave radiation which those particular cuttings are exposed to when their respective container is treated with microwave radiation. This provides optimisation of the energy consumption of the system 100’, and provides optimised radiation exposure for small quantities of cuttings, thereby ensuring that the cuttings are cleaned of contaminants effectively. Furthermore, sampling of the containers as they enter the tunnel 12T allows a mass balance of oil and water condensed out of the system 100’ to be performed. As shown in Fig. 6, the output zone 130’ is configured to temporarily store the containers after the containers have passed through the tunnel 12T where the cuttings inside the containers are treated. The output zone 130’ is again arranged such that it can handle a constant stream of containers from the tunnel 12T in use.

Referring to Figure 6, it can be seen that in the presently described example, the output zone 130’ is provided with a container emptying station 133’. Further details of the container emptying station 133’ are explained later with reference to Figure 7.

It will be again be understood that the output zone 13T may be adapted for the specific application and requirements. In this connection, the output zone 13T may further comprise additional storage or processing equipment.

Still referring to Figure 6, the conveyor zone 120’ is now described in more detail. As previously described, the conveyor zone 120’ comprises a tunnel 12T through which containers can pass internally through. In the second example shown in Fig 6, the tunnel 12T is closed on all sides (apart from the inlet and outlet) to form a passage which fully surrounds the containers as they pass therethrough. This provides reflection and containment of microwave radiation from the microwaves.

As a container is passed through the tunnel 12T from the feed zone 110’ to the output zone 130’, the container and therefore the respective cuttings are exposed to microwave radiation, thereby causing extraction of contaminants in known ways. To provide microwave radiation, each of the first 140’A, second 140’B, third 140’C and fourth 140’D microwaves are arranged with respective first 141’A, second 141’B, third 141’C and fourth 141’D waveguides for channeling microwave radiation to the tunnel 12T. It should be noted that in Figure 6, the microwaves 140’A, 140’B, 140’C, 140’D are shown disconnected from the corresponding waveguides 141’A, 141’B, 141’C, 141’D, however when assembled for use, the microwaves 140’A, 140’B, 140’C, 140’D will be operatively connected to the corresponding waveguides 141’A, 141’B, 141’C, 141’D. In this connection, when assembled, the microwaves 140’A, 140’B, 140’C, 140’D and corresponding waveguides 141’A, 141’B, 141’C, 141’D will be assembled in series along the treatment tunnel 12T. That is to say, the microwaves 140’A, 140’B, 140’C, 140’D are provided along the length of the tunnel 12T such that each container passed through the tunnel 12T is exposed to microwave radiation from each of the microwaves 140’A, 140’B, 140’C, 140’D in turn.

The tunnel 12T comprises a plurality of modules which are configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the containers passing through the tunnel 12T. The presently described arrangement may provide an even microwave power density across the width of the tunnel 12T, and may accommodate a range of cutting bed depths and feedstock properties.

Firstly considering only the first microwave 140’A - microwave radiation is generated in the microwave 140’A and is guided to the tunnel 12T by the first waveguide 141’A. The microwave radiation enters the tunnel 12T into a first central module 121 d’ and spreads into adjacent modules. The first central module 121 d’ and the adjacent modules are each configured to reflect and contain the microwave radiation, and provide an even concentration of microwave radiation to the cuttings inside the containers passing through the tunnel 12T. The tunnel 12T is configured with chokes to ensure that microwave radiation from the first microwave 140’A does not escape from the tunnel 12T. Microwave radiation from the second 140’B, third 140’C and fourth 140’D microwaves is guided into corresponding central modules and spreads into adjacent modules in a similar fashion. The central and adjacent modules are each configured to reflect and contain microwave radiation, and provide an even concentration of microwave radiation to the cuttings inside the containers passing through the tunnel 12T as described above with respect to the first microwave 140’A. Similary the tunnel 12T is further provided with chokes to ensure that microwave radiation from the second 140’B, third 140’C and fourth 140’D microwaves does not escape from the tunnel 12T.

The tunnel 12T may be adapted to add any number of additional modules to add further microwaves in series. Although not shown in Figure 6, it will be understood that one or more monoethylene glycol injection units may be provided along the tunnel 12T such that the containers are dosed with monoethylene glycol before they reach any of the microwaves.

Still referring to Fig 6, it can be seen that connected to the first central module 121’d there is provided a condenser 123’. The central modules associated with the second 140’B, third 140’C and fourth 140’D microwaves are also provided with condensers. In the first condensers oil and water vapour are condensed. The oil is reused, typically, but not essentially, in recirculated drilling mud. Condensed water is typically discharged to the sea. Where a monoethylene glycol injecton unit is provided, the condensers may also condense the monoethylene glycol such that it can be reused. It will be understood that the system may be provided without one or more condensers, and the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol may be collected and/or processed by means of alternative apparatus in addition to or instead of utilising one or more condensers. It will be understood that the provision of one or more condensers to help collect the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol is therefore optional.

Referring now to Figure 7, further details of the container emptying station 133’ are now provided. The container emptying station 133’ is provided in the output zone 130’ to empty and collect the processed cuttings from the respective containers after treatment. The containers can then either be returned to the feed zone 110’ for reuse in the system, or be stored or disposed of.

The container emptying station 133’ comprises a container emptying device 134’, a cuttings receiving tank 135’ and a container return elevator 136’. The container emptying device 134’ is arranged to automatically receive containers from the tunnel 12T. The container emptying device 134’ is formed of a crib structure registered with the form of the container. That is to say, the form of the crib is substantially similar to the form of the container such that the container can be received within the crib. The container emptying device 134’ may be provided with a container receiving sensor such that it can detect when a container has been moved into the container emptying device 134’. As can be seen in Figure 7, the container emptying device 134’ is configured such that the container slides down into a slightly angled resting position in the container emptying device 134’. The container 160 shown resting in the slightly angled position in the container emptying device 134’ in Figure 7 may be viewed as having a forward portion 160A and a rearward portion 160B. It can be seen that the container 160 is angled such that the forward portion 160A is at a lower position than the rearward portion 160B. The container emptying device 134’ may be arranged in such a way to allow the containers to slide down into the container emptying device 134’ from the tunnel 12T.

Still referring to Figure 7, the container emptying device 134’ is configured to rotate the container 160 around a horizontal axis by around 170 degrees. In some examples, the container emptying device 134’ may be arranged such that the container 160 hits a portion of the container emptying device 134’ towards the end of the rotation, thereby jarring the cuttings such that the cuttings are released from inside the container 160. In alternative examples, the container emptying device 134’ may be provided with a vibration means to assist in the removal of the cuttings. In some examples, such as when containers with sufficiently angled walls are used, the container 160 may be capable of releasing the cuttings without vibration or jarring. In some examples, the container emptying device 134’ may be provided with both jarring and vibration means. The released cuttings then fall into the cuttings receiving tank 135’ and the container 160 is rotated back to around a -60 degree angle with the rearward side 160B at a lower position than the forward side 160A, such that the container 160 can easily move into the container return elevator 136’ for further moving the container on to storage, disposal or reuse in the system 100’. In the presently described example, as can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the containers 160 are delivered to the container return elevator 136’ and onwards to a container filling station 137’ where the containers 160 are filled before they are delivered to the feed zone 110’ again.

In some examples, the cuttings receiving tank 135’ may be provided with a screw conveyor (not shown) for cuttings transport. In some alternative examples (not shown), the container return elevator 136’ may be eliminated and the container emptying station 133’ may be arranged to move the containers in a negative (-) y direction with horizontal movement only until the containers are returned to the feed zone 110’ of the system 100’.

Third example

Fig 8 shows a third example of a segmented conveyor system 100” for cleaning cuttings comprising a feed zone 110”, a conveyor zone 120” and an output zone 130”. The system 100” further comprises a first microwave 140”A and a second microwave (not shown) which are each configured to provide microwave radiation to portions of the conveyor zone 120” as will be described in more detail later. The feed zone 110”, conveyor zone 120” and output zone 130” are provided for substantially the same reasons as described with reference to the first example shown in Figures 1 to 4, albeit with modifications with respect to the first example as will now be described. The third example is provided with four tunnels 121 ”A, 121”B, 121”C, 121 ”D which span the conveyor zone 120’. Similarly to as previously described with reference to the first example shown in Figures 1 to 4, the feed zone 110” of the third example comprises a feeder tray 111” which is closed by a lid (not shown in Figure 8) comprising a plurality of windows (not shown) as previously described. The containers are arranged to move in the feeder tray 111” firstly in the y-direction and then in the x-direction when they are moved into the tunnels 121 ”A, 121 ”B, 121 ”C, 121”D. As can be seen in Figure 8, the containers are firstly move into the first tunnel 121 ”A, and are subsequently moved across to the second 121 ”B, third 121”C and fourth 121 ”D tunnels where required. It will be understood that the moving of the containers across to the second 121 ”B, third 121”C and fourth 121 ”D tunnels may be provided in a plurality of ways, as will be easily understood by a person skilled in the art.

To allow the containers to move in sequence into the first tunnel 121 ”A, without the assistance of a manual operator, the feed tray 111” may be configured such that the surface upon which the containers lay is not horizontal, and is instead inclined with the entry point to the first tunnel 121 ”A being at a lower end of the incline of the feed tray 111”. Additionally, the surface upon which the containers lay may be provided with a surface coating which assists in ease of movement of the containers without manual operator intervention. Alternatively, the surface upon which the containers lay may be provided with mechanical means for assisting movement of the containers, such as, but not limited to, rollers or a conveyor belt. In this connection, rollers, a conveyor belt or any other mechanical means, would be configured to allow movement of the containers in the y-direction.

As in the first example, in the presently described third example, the containers are arranged to be fed one at a time and back to back, such that little or no space is left between adjacent containers as they pass through tunnels 121”A, 121 ”B, 121”C, 121”D. If the system 100” is used with low power density microwave units, the containers may be fed with air gaps therebetween.

The feeder tray 111 ” is provided with a first hydraulic piston 114” for pushing each container into the first tunnel 121”A in a similar fashion as previously described for the system 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4. Although not shown the feeder tray 111”, and other components of the system 100”, may be provided with sensor(s) and control system(s) as previously described with reference to the system 100 shown in Figures 1 to 4

Similarly, the feed tray 111” may further be configured with an agitation means (not shown) for sufficiently agitating and spreading the cuttings to be cleaned to ensure that the cuttings are spread across their respective container with a known bed depth. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be a uniform 4cm, for example. The desired bed depth of cuttings may be between 3cm and 5cm.

Directly after preparation in the feed zone 110”, the cuttings are exposed to microwave radiation in the conveyor zone 120”. Successful contaminant removal depends on the energy applied by the microwaves and the water content in the cuttings. The use of a plurality of containers allows the system to be configured in some examples with a means for individually sampling the cuttings in the respective containers, to analyse the water content of each individual batch of cuttings. In this connection, the system 100” may further comprise a control system (not shown) which analyses the water content in cuttings in containers, and automatically adjusts the energy of the microwave radiation which those particular cuttings are exposed to when their respective container is treated with microwave radiation. This provides optimisation of the energy consumption of the system 100”, and provides optimised radiation exposure for small quantities of cuttings, thereby ensuring that the cuttings are cleaned of contaminants effectively. Furthermore, sampling of the containers as they enter the first tunnel 121”A allows a mass balance of oil and water condensed out of the system 100” to be performed.

The first 121 ”A, second 121 ”B, third 121 ”C and fourth 121 ”D tunnels are provided in parallel as can be seen in Fig. 8.

As shown in Fig. 8, the output zone 130” is configured to temporarily store the containers after the containers have passed through the tunnels 121 ”A, 121 ”B, 121 ”C, 121 ”D where the cuttings inside the containers are treated. The output zone 130” is again arranged such that it can handle a constant stream of containers from the tunnels 121 ”A, 121 ”B, 121 ”C, 121 ”D in use.

It can be seen in Fig. 8 that in the presently described example, the output zone 130” is provided with a container emptying station 133”.

It will be again be understood that the output zone 130” may be adapted for the specific application and requirements. In this connection, the output zone 130” may further comprise additional storage or processing equipment.

In the third example shown in Fig 8, the tunnels 121 ”A, 121 ”B, 121 ”C, 121 ”D are closed on all sides (apart from the inlet and outlet) to form a passage which fully surrounds the containers as they pass therethrough. This provides reflection and containment of microwave radiation from the microwaves.

As a container is passed through the tunnels 121 ”A, 121 ”B, 121 ”C, 121 ”D from the feed zone 110” to the output zone 130”, the container and therefore the respective cuttings are exposed to microwave radiation, thereby causing extraction of contaminants in known ways. The tunnels 121 ”A, 121 ”B, 121 ”C, 121”D each comprise condensers arranged to operate in substantially the same manner as previously described. It will be understood that the system may be provided without the condensers, and the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol may be collected and/or processed by means of alternative apparatus in addition to or instead of utilising one or more condensers. It will be understood that the provision of one or more condensers to help collect the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol is therefore optional.

To provide microwave radiation, each of the microwaves (only a first microwave 140”A shown in Fig. 8) is arranged with respective waveguides (only a first 141 ”A and a second 141 ”B waveguide are shown in Fig. 8) for channeling microwave radiation to the tunnel 121”. It should be noted that in Figure 8, the first microwave 140”A is shown disconnected from the corresponding waveguide 141 ”A, however when assembled for use, the microwaves 140”A will be operatively connected to the corresponding waveguides 141”A. In this connection, when assembled, the microwaves 140”A and corresponding waveguides 141 ”A will be assembled in series along the treatment tunnel 121”. That is to say, the microwaves 140”A are provided along the length of the tunnel 121” such that each container passed through the tunnel 121” is exposed to microwave radiation from each of the microwaves 140”A in turn.

The tunnel 121” comprises a plurality of modules which are configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the containers passing through the tunnel 121”. The presently described arrangement may provide an even microwave power density across the width of the tunnel 121”, and may accommodate a range of cutting bed depths and feedstock properties.

Firstly considering only the first microwave 140”A - microwave radiation is generated in the microwave 140”A and is guided to the tunnel 121” by the first waveguide 141”A. The microwave radiation enters the tunnel 121” into a first central module and spreads into adjacent modules. The first central module and the adjacent modules are each configured to reflect and contain the microwave radiation, and provide an even concentration of microwave radiation to the cuttings inside the containers passing through the tunnel 121”. The tunnel 121” is configured with chokes to ensure that microwave radiation from the first microwave 140”A does not escape from the tunnel 121”.

Microwave radiation from further microwaves is guided into corresponding central modules and spreads into adjacent modules in a similar fashion. The central and adjacent modules are each configured to reflect and contain microwave radiation, and provide an even concentration of microwave radiation to the cuttings inside the containers passing through the tunnel 121” as described above with respect to the first microwave 140”A. Similary the tunnel 121” is further provided with chokes to ensure that microwave radiation from the further microwaves does not escape from the tunnel 121”.

The tunnel 121” may be adapted to add any number of additional modules to add further microwaves in series.

Although not shown in Figure 8, it will be understood that one or more monoethylene glycol injection units may be provided along the tunnel 121 ” such that the containers are dosed with monoethylene glycol before they reach any of the microwaves.

Connected to the first central module there is provided a condenser. The central modules associated with the further microwaves are also provided with condensers. In the first condensers oil and water vapour are condensed. The oil is reused, typically, but not essentially, in recirculated drilling mud. Condensed water is typically discharged to the sea. Where a monoethylene glycol injecton unit is provided, the condensers may also condense the monoethylene glycol such that it can be reused.

It will be understood that the system may be provided without one or more condensers, and the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol may be collected and/or processed by means of alternative apparatus in addition to or instead of utilising one or more condensers. It will be understood that the provision of one or more condensers to help collect the oil/water and/or monoethelyene glycol is therefore optional. Further details of the container emptying station 133” are now provided. The container emptying station 133” is provided in the output zone 130” to empty and collect the processed cuttings from the respective containers after treatment. The containers can then either be returned to the feed zone 110” for reuse in the system, or be stored or disposed of.

The container emptying station 133” comprises a container emptying device 134”, a cuttings receiving tank 135” and a container return elevator 136”. The container emptying device 134” is arranged to automatically receive containers from the tunnel 121”. The container emptying device 134” is formed of a crib structure registered with the form of the container. That is to say, the form of the crib is substantially similar to the form of the container such that the container can be received within the crib. The container emptying device 134” may be provided with a container receiving sensor such that it can detect when a container has been moved into the container emptying device 134”. As can be seen in Figure 8, the container emptying device 134” is configured such that the container slides down into a slightly angled resting position in the container emptying device 134”. The container 160 shown resting in the slightly angled position in the container emptying device 134’ in Figure 8 may be viewed as having a forward portion 160A and a rearward portion 160B. It can be seen that the container 160 is angled such that the forward portion 160A is at a lower position than the rearward portion 160B. The container emptying device 134” may be arranged in such a way to allow the containers to slide down into the container emptying device 134” from the tunnels 121 ”A, 121”B, 121”C, 121”D.

Still referring to Figure 8, the container emptying device 134” is configured to rotate the container 160 around a horizontal axis by around 170 degrees. In some examples, the container emptying device 134” may be arranged such that the container 160 hits a portion of the container emptying device 134” towards the end of the rotation, thereby jarring the cuttings such that the cuttings are released from inside the container 160. In alternative examples, the container emptying device 134” may be provided with a vibration means to assist in the removal of the cuttings. In some examples, such as when containers with sufficiently angled walls are used, the container 160 may be capable of releasing the cuttings without vibration or jarring. In some examples, the container emptying device 134” may be provided with both jarring and vibration means. The released cuttings then fall into the cuttings receiving tank 135” and the container 160 is rotated back to around a -60 degree angle with the rearward side 160B at a lower position than the forward side 160A, such that the container 160 can easily move into the container return elevator 136” for further moving the container on to storage, disposal or reuse in the system 100’. In the presently described example, as can be seen in Fig. 8, the containers 160 are delivered to the container return elevator 136” and onwards to a container filling stations 137” where the containers 160 are filled before they are delivered to the feed zone 110” again.

In some examples, the cuttings receiving tank 135” may be provided with a screw conveyor (not shown) for cuttings transport. In some alternative examples (not shown), the container return elevator 136” may be eliminated and the container emptying station 133” may be arranged to move the containers in a negative (-) y direction with horizontal movement only until the containers are returned to the feed zone 110” of the system 100”.

In this connection, in some examples the containers may be returned without being pushed sideways at all.

Throughout all three previously described examples it is explained that the systems 100, 100’, 100” comprise microwave producers and condensers. During operation, the microwaves produced rapidly boil water within the drilling cuttings which causes the trapped oil in the drilling cuttings to be forced out. In some instances, the oil may boil from the cuttings. In some instances only the water will boil from the cuttings. The condensers are arranged to collect the oil. In some cases, where the oil is boiled, the condensers may condense and collect the oil. In some cases, where the oil is not boiled, the condensers may simply collect the oil. As explained previously, the water and/or oil may be collected by alternative means, therefore the provision of condensers for collection is entirely optional. Where a condenser is provided, the condenser may be an indirect condenser that contacts the process vapour with a cold surface that is cooled using a cooling medium that does not contact the process vapour. A non-limiting example is a shell and tube condenser. Volatile and semi-volatile components of the process vapour stream may be condensed and recovered from the process in liquid form.

Although not described in detail in the interest of brevity, in all three of the above described examples the described condensers may be replaced by other vapour handling apparatus as will now be described.

The first alternative vapour handling apparatus may be one or more oxidisers. In this regard, when it is not desired to collect the contaminant, the contaminant may be oxidised by the aforementioned oxidisers. In some cases, it may be more efficient to oxidise the contaminant(s) rather than store and transport the contaminants. The provision of one or more oxidisers is therefore entirely optional.

The second alternative vapour handling apparatus may be a direct contact absorber/cooler that contacts the process vapour with a liquid. The liquid may act to cool the process vapour and cause direct condensation, and to absorb gaseous components from the process vapour into the contacting liquid. The contacting liquid may be water. The contacting liquid may be one or more of: an alcohol; ketone; ester; non-polar hydrocarbon. The direct contact absorber/cooler may take the form of one or more of: a packed column; falling film, venturi scrubber; spray column.

The third alternative vapour handling apparatus may be a membrane filtration system that separates volatile and semi-volatile components from the process vapour via a pressure differential across the membrane filter.

The fourth alternative vapour handling apparatus may be an adsorption system that may capture volatile and semi-volatile components from the process vapour and may allow non-condensable components of the process vapour to pass through. Non-limiting examples of adsorbents may include activated carbon and/or diatomaceous earth. The fifth alternative vapour handling apparatus may be a reactive separation system that may chemically transform selective components within the process vapour and thereby separate them from the remaining components within the process vapour.

The sixth alternative vapour handling apparatus may be a combustion unit that safely transforms volatile and semi-volatile organic components into primarily carbon dioxide and water.

The seventh alternative vapour handling apparatus may be a momentumbased separation system that separates liquid droplets and fine solids from the process vapour stream, with examples including mist eliminator and cyclone.

The eighth alternative vapour handling apparatus may be a combination of one or more of the above mentioned first to seventh alternative vapour handling apparatuses.

Throughout the present disclosure, the material being treated is described as drilling cuttings since this is where the invention finds immediate utility. It will be understood that in alternative examples, the material storage containers could be provided with one or more materials other than drilling cuttings such that the other material is treated in the treatment apparatus to remove one or more contaminants therefrom. It will be understood that the apparatus and methods described in the present disclosure may be equally used for such materials.

In some examples not described herein, the microwave radiation may not remove a contaminant as such but may instead modify the properties and/or state of a material by exposure inside the treatment apparatus. In this connection, the material being treated may release a liquid or vapour during property and/or state transformation, which may be processed within the tunnel. One such application may be in recycling, particularly in plastic or biomass recycling, where the treatment tunnel may find application to treat recyclable materials which are passed through the treatment tunnel as described herein. Such recyclable materials need not necessarily comprise a contaminant to be removed, and instead may be exposed to microwave radiation such that one or more properties of the material are changed and/or the material is made to change state. The recyclable material being treated may release liquid and/or vapour during the change of properties and/or change of state.

In some examples material in the containers may experience pyrolysis when exposed to microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel. In such cases the pyrolytic product may be removed from inside the tunnel and the un- pyrolysed residue may remain within the containers.

CLAUSES

CLAUSE 1 . A treatment apparatus for removing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated drilling cuttings; a treatment tunnel comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; at least one condenser operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to collect oil in use; wherein the treatment tunnel is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use drilling cuttings comprising oil can be provided in the plurality of containers and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel while being exposed to microwave radiation such that at least a portion of oil from the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings and collected by the condenser.

CLAUSE 2. A treatment apparatus for oxidising at least a portion of a contaminant from drilling cuttings, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated drilling cuttings; a treatment tunnel comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; at least one oxidiser operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to oxidise at least a portion of the contaminant in use; wherein the treatment tunnel is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use drilling cuttings comprising the contaminant can be provided in the plurality of containers and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel while being exposed to microwave radiation such that at least a portion of the contaminant from the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings and oxidised by the oxidiser.

CLAUSE 3. The treatment apparatus according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of containers are each configured to receive solid rock cuttings and/or crushed rock and/or sludge and/or sticky mud in use.

CLAUSE 4. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the treatment tunnel comprises a plurality of modules each configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the plurality of containers as the plurality of containers pass through the tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 5. The treatment apparatus according to clause 1 or clause 3 when dependent on clause 1 or clause 4 when dependent on clause 1 , wherein the plurality of modules comprises at least: a first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module; wherein at least one microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module and the least one condenser is directly connected to the first central module.

CLAUSE 6. The treatment apparatus according to clause 2 or clause 3 when dependent on clause 2 or clause 4 when dependent on clause 2, wherein the plurality of modules comprises at least: a first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module; wherein at least one microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module and the least one oxidiser is directly connected to the first central module.

CLAUSE 7. The treatment apparatus according to clause 4 when dependent on clause 1 or clause 3 when dependent on clause 1 , wherein: the at least one microwave producer comprises a first microwave producer and a second microwave producer; the at least one condenser comprises a first condenser and a second condenser; the plurality of modules comprises: a first central module; a second central module further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module and the second central module; wherein the first microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module and the second microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the second central module; and the first condenser is directly connected to the first central module and the second condenser is directly connected to the second central module. CLAUSE 8. The treatment apparatus according to clause 4 when clause 4 is dependent on clause 2 or clause 4 when clause 4 is dependent on clause 3 when dependent on clause 2, wherein: the at least one microwave producer comprises a first microwave producer and a second microwave producer; the at least one oxidiser comprises a first oxidiser and a second oxidiser; the plurality of modules comprises: a first central module; a second central module further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module and the second central module; wherein the first microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module and the second microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the second central module; and the first oxidiser is directly connected to the first central module and the second oxidiser is directly connected to the second central module.

CLAUSE 9. The treatment apparatus according to clause 7 or 8, further comprising: a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module in use.

CLAUSE 10. The treatment apparatus according to clause 9 when dependent on clause 7, wherein the second condenser is configured to collect oil and monoethylene glycol in use. CLAUSE 11 . The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 4 to 10, further comprising a plurality of chokes each arranged between adjacent modules, wherein the plurality of chokes are configured to stop microwave radiation from escaping the tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 12. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein each of the plurality of containers is open-topped.

CLAUSE 13. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein each of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

CLAUSE 14. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein each of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein all of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall are provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

CLAUSE 15. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

CLAUSE 16. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein each of the plurality of containers is formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK).

CLAUSE 17. A system comprising: the treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 1 to 16; feeder apparatus operatively connected to the feed end of the treatment tunnel and configured to provide a stream of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; and output apparatus operatively connected to the output end of the treatment tunnel and configured to receive a stream of containers from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 18. The system according to clause 17, wherein the feeder apparatus comprises: a piston arranged to push each of the plurality of containers into the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; a feeder tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers and delivering the plurality of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel such that the piston can push the plurality of containers into the feed end in use.

CLAUSE 19. The system according to clause 18, wherein the feeder tray is configured to buffer a plurality of containers near the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 20. The system according to any of clauses 17 to 19, wherein the output apparatus comprises a movement means arranged to push the plurality of containers away from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 21 . The system according to clause 20, wherein the movement means comprises one or more of: a piston; motorised rollers and a solenoid.

CLAUSE 22. The system according to clause 20 or 21 , wherein the output apparatus further comprises an output tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers in use. CLAUSE 23. The system according to any of clauses 17 to 22, wherein the output apparatus comprises a container emptying station configured to empty the plurality of containers of drilling cuttings in use.

CLAUSE 24. The system according to clause 23, wherein the container emptying station comprises: a container emptying device configured to remove the drilling cuttings from the plurality of containers in use; and a cuttings receiving tank configured to receive the removed cuttings from the container emptying device in use.

CLAUSE 25. The system according to clause 24, wherein the container emptying device is configured to rotate the container around a horizontal axis in use, such that the drilling cuttings can fall out of the container.

CLAUSE 26. The system according to clause 24 or 25, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to jar the plurality of containers to release the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

CLAUSE 27. The system according to any of clauses 24 to 26, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to shake the plurality of containers to release the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

CLAUSE 28. The system according to any of clauses 24 to 27, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to vacuum the plurality of containers to remove the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

CLAUSE 29. The system according to any of clauses 24 to 28, wherein the container emptying station further comprises a container return elevator. CLAUSE 30. A method for removing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the method comprising the steps of:

4. providing a condenser operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to collect oil in use;

5. providing drilling cuttings comprising oil into each of the plurality of containers;

6. passing the plurality of containers from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel; such that at least a portion of the oil in the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings and collected by the condenser.

CLAUSE 31 . A method for oxidising at least a portion of a contaminant from drilling cuttings, the method comprising the steps of:

4. providing an oxidiser operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to oxidise at least a portion of the contaminant in use;

5. providing drilling cuttings comprising a contaminant into each of the plurality of containers;

6. passing the plurality of containers from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel; such that at least a portion of the contaminant in the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings and oxidised by the oxidiser.

CLAUSE 32. The method according to clause 30, further comprising the steps of:

7. providing a second microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end;

8. providing a second condenser operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to collect oil in use; before step 6; such that at least a second portion of the oil in the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings and collected by the second condenser.

CLAUSE 33. The method according to clause 31 , further comprising the steps of:

8. providing a second oxidiser operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to oxidise at least a portion of the contaminant in use; before step 6; such that at least a second portion of the contaminant in the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings and oxidised by the second oxidiser.

CLAUSE 34. The method according to clause 30 or 32, wherein: step 3 further comprises arranging the microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a first central module between the feed end and the output end; and step 4 further comprises arranging the condenser such that the condenser is directly connected to the first central module.

CLAUSE 35. The method according to clause 31 or 33, wherein: step 3 further comprises arranging the microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a first central module between the feed end and the output end; and step 4 further comprises arranging the oxidiser such that the oxidiser is directly connected to the first central module.

CLAUSE 36. The method according to clause 32 or clause 34 when dependent on clause 32, wherein: step 7 further comprises arranging the second microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a second central module between the feed end and the output end; and step 8 further comprises arranging the second condenser such that the second condenser is directly connected to the second central module; wherein the second central module is provided further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module.

CLAUSE 37. The method according to clause 33 or clause 35 when dependent on clause 33, wherein: step 7 further comprises arranging the second microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a second central module between the feed end and the output end; and step 8 further comprises arranging the second oxidiser such that the second oxidiser is directly connected to the second central module; wherein the second central module is provided further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module.

CLAUSE 38. The method according to clause 36 or 37, further comprising the step of:

9. providing a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings in use between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module; before step 6.

CLAUSE 39. The method according to clause 38, wherein step 6 further comprises operating the monoethylene glycol unit to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings in at least one of the plurality of containers.

CLAUSE 40. A treatment apparatus for releasing at least a portion of a contaminant from a material, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated material; a treatment tunnel comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; wherein the treatment tunnel is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use contaminated material can be provided in the plurality of containers and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel while being exposed to microwave radiation such that at least a portion of the contaminant in the material is released from the contaminated material.

CLAUSE 41 . The treatment apparatus according to clause 1 , wherein the plurality of containers are each configured to receive solid rock cuttings and/or crushed rock and/or sludge and/or sticky mud in use.

CLAUSE 42. The treatment apparatus according to clause 41 or 42, wherein the treatment tunnel comprises a plurality of modules each configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the plurality of containers as the plurality of containers pass through the tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 43. The treatment apparatus according to clause 42, wherein the plurality of modules comprises at least: a first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module; wherein at least one microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module.

CLAUSE 44. The treatment apparatus according to clause 42, wherein: the at least one microwave producer comprises a first microwave producer and a second microwave producer; the plurality of modules comprises: a first central module; a second central module further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module and the second central module; wherein the first microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module and the second microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the second central module.

CLAUSE 45. The treatment apparatus according to clause 44, further comprising: a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the contaminated material between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module in use.

CLAUSE 46. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 42 to 45, further comprising a plurality of chokes each arranged between adjacent modules, wherein the plurality of chokes are configured to stop microwave radiation from escaping the tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 47. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 46, wherein each of the plurality of containers is open-topped.

CLAUSE 48. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 47, wherein each of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

CLAUSE 49. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 47, wherein each of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein all of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall are provided not at a right angle with respect to the base. CLAUSE 50. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 47, wherein at least one of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

CLAUSE 51 . The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 50, wherein each of the plurality of containers is formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyetherimide or polytetrafluoroethylene or polybenzimidazole.

CLAUSE 52. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 51 , wherein the apparatus comprises at least one vapour handling apparatus operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to process fluid released from the contaminated material in use.

CLAUSE 53. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52 wherein the at least one vapour handling apparatus is configured to handle the contaminant released from the contaminated material.

CLAUSE 54. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52 or 53 wherein the at least one vapour handling apparatus is directly connected to the treatment tunnel.

CLAUSE 55. The treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 52 to 54 wherein the at least one vapour handling apparatus comprises one or more condensers arranged to condense and/or collect the contaminant. CLAUSE 56. The treatment apparatus according to clause 55, wherein the one or more condensers is/are shell and tube condenser(s).

CLAUSE 57. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus comprises one or more oxidisers.

CLAUSE 58. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus comprises a direct contact absorber/cooler.

CLAUSE 59. The treatment apparatus according to clause 58, wherein the direct contact absorber/cooler is in the form of one or more of: a packed column; falling film, venturi scrubber; spray column.

CLAUSE 60. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a membrane filtration system configured to separate volatile and semi-volatile components via a pressure differential across the membrane filter.

CLAUSE 61 . The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is an adsorption system configured to capture volatile and semi-volatile components and allow non-condensable components to pass through.

CLAUSE 62. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a reactive separation system.

CLAUSE 63. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a combustion unit configured to safely transform volatile and semi-volatile organic components into primarily carbon dioxide and water. CLAUSE 64. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a momentum-based separation system that separates liquid droplets and fine solids.

CLAUSE 65. The treatment apparatus according to clause 52, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a combination of one or more of: a condenser; an oxidiser; a direct contact absorber/cooler; a membrane filtration system; an adsorption system; a reactive separation system; a combustion unit; a momentum-based separation system.

CLAUSE 66. A system comprising: the treatment apparatus according to any of clauses 40 to 65; feeder apparatus operatively connected to the feed end of the treatment tunnel and configured to provide a stream of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; and output apparatus operatively connected to the output end of the treatment tunnel and configured to receive a stream of containers from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 67. The system according to clause 66, wherein the feeder apparatus comprises: a piston arranged to push each of the plurality of containers into the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; a feeder tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers and delivering the plurality of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel such that the piston can push the plurality of containers into the feed end in use.

CLAUSE 68. The system according to clause 67, wherein the feeder tray is configured to buffer a plurality of containers near the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use. CLAUSE 69. The system according to any of clause 66 to 68, wherein the output apparatus comprises a movement means arranged to push the plurality of containers away from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 70. The system according to clause 69, wherein the movement means comprises one or more of: a piston; motorised rollers and a solenoid.

CLAUSE 71 . The system according to clause 69 or 70, wherein the output apparatus further comprises an output tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers in use.

CLAUSE 72. The system according to any of clauses 66 to 71 wherein the output apparatus comprises a container emptying station configured to empty the plurality of containers of material in use.

CLAUSE 73. The system according to clause 72, wherein the container emptying station comprises: a container emptying device configured to remove the material from the plurality of containers in use; and a cuttings receiving tank configured to receive the removed material from the container emptying device in use.

CLAUSE 74. The system according to clause 73, wherein the container emptying device is configured to rotate the container around a horizontal axis in use, such that the material can fall out of the container.

CLAUSE 75. The system according to clause 73 or clause 74, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to jar the plurality of containers to release the material from the container in use. CLAUSE 76. The system according to any of clauses 73 to 75, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to shake the plurality of containers to release the material from the container in use.

CLAUSE 77. The system according to any of clauses 73 to 76, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to vacuum the plurality of containers to remove the material from the container in use.

CLAUSE 78. The system according to any of claims 73 to 77, wherein the container emptying station further comprises a container return elevator.

CLAUSE 79. A method for releasing at least a portion of contaminant from a material, the method comprising the steps of:

1 . providing a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated material in use;

4. providing contaminated material into each of the plurality of containers;

5. passing the plurality of containers from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel; such that at least a portion of the contaminant in the contaminated material is released from the contaminated material.

CLAUSE 80. The method according to clause 79, further comprising the step of:

6. providing a second microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; before step 5; such that at least a second portion of the contaminant in the contaminated material is released from the contaminated material.

CLAUSE 81 . The method according to clause 79 or 80, wherein: step 3 further comprises arranging the microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a first central module between the feed end and the output end.

CLAUSE 82. The method according to claim 81 when dependent on clause 80, wherein: step 6 further comprises arranging the second microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a second central module between the feed end and the output end; wherein the second central module is provided further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module.

CLAUSE 83. The method according to claim 82, further comprising the step of:

7. providing a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the contaminated material in use between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module; before step 5.

CLAUSE 84. The method according to clause 83, wherein step 5 further comprises operating the monoethylene glycol unit to deliver monoethylene glycol to the contaminated material in at least one of the plurality of containers. CLAUSE 85. A treatment apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers for receiving material; a treatment tunnel comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; wherein the treatment tunnel is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use material can be provided in the plurality of containers and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel while being exposed to microwave radiation to impart a change in the material.

CLAUSE 86. The treatment apparatus according to clause 85, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one vapour handling apparatus operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to process fluid released from the material in use.

CLAUSE 87. A system comprising: the treatment apparatus according to clause 85 or 86; feeder apparatus operatively connected to the feed end of the treatment tunnel and configured to provide a stream of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; and output apparatus operatively connected to the output end of the treatment tunnel and configured to receive a stream of containers from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

CLAUSE 88. A method for treating a material comprising the steps of:

1 . providing a plurality of containers for receiving material in use;

2. providing a treatment tunnel configured to provide reflection and containment of microwave radiation and comprising a feed end and an output end in use; 3. providing a microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end;

4. providing material into each of the plurality of containers; 5. passing the plurality of containers from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel; such that at a change is imparted on at least a portion of the material in the containers.

Claims

1 . A treatment apparatus for releasing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of containers for receiving contaminated drilling cuttings; a treatment tunnel comprising a feed end and an output end; at least one microwave producer arranged to deliver microwave radiation inside the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end; wherein the treatment tunnel is configured to provide reflection and containment of the microwave radiation in use; such that in use drilling cuttings comprising oil can be provided in the plurality of containers and passed from the feed end to the output end of the treatment tunnel while being exposed to microwave radiation such that at least a portion of oil from the drilling cuttings is released from the drilling cuttings.

2. The treatment apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of containers are each configured to receive solid rock cuttings and/or crushed rock and/or sludge and/or sticky mud in use.

3. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the treatment tunnel comprises a plurality of modules each configured to reflect and concentrate the microwave radiation evenly on the plurality of containers as the plurality of containers pass through the tunnel in use.

4. The treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of modules comprises at least: a first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module; wherein at least one microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module.

5. The treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: the at least one microwave producer comprises a first microwave producer and a second microwave producer; the plurality of modules comprises: a first central module; a second central module further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module; and adjacent modules located on either side of the first central module and the second central module; wherein the first microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the first central module and the second microwave producer is arranged to deliver microwave radiation to the second central module.

6. The treatment apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: a monoethylene glycol injection unit operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the first central module and the second central module and configured to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings between microwave radiation treatment in the first central module and the second central module in use.

7. The treatment apparatus according to 3 to 6, further comprising a plurality of chokes each arranged between adjacent modules, wherein the plurality of chokes are configured to stop microwave radiation from escaping the tunnel in use.

8. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of containers is open-topped.

9. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

10. The treatment apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein all of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall are provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

11 .The treatment apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of containers comprises a base, a front end, a rear end and first and second side walls, wherein one or more of: the front end; the rear end; the first side wall and the second side wall is provided not at a right angle with respect to the base.

12. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the plurality of containers is formed of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) or polyetherimide or polytetrafluoroethylene or polybenzimidazole.

13. The treatment apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one vapour handling apparatus operatively connected to the treatment tunnel between the feed end and the output end and configured to process fluid released from the drilling cuttings in use.

14. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the at least one vapour handling apparatus is configured to handle the oil released from the drilling cuttings.

15. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the at least one vapour handling apparatus is directly connected to the treatment tunnel.

16. The treatment apparatus according to any of claims 13 to 15 wherein the at least one vapour handling apparatus comprises one or more condensers arranged to condense and/or collect the oil.

17. The treatment apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the one or more condensers is/are shell and tube condenser(s).

18. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus comprises one or more oxidisers.

19. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus comprises a direct contact absorber/cooler.

20. The treatment apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the direct contact absorber/cooler is in the form of one or more of: a packed column; falling film, venturi scrubber; spray column.

21 .The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a membrane filtration system configured to separate volatile and semi-volatile components via a pressure differential across the membrane filter.

22. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is an adsorption system configured to capture volatile and semi-volatile components and allow non-condensable components to pass through.

23. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a reactive separation system.

24. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a combustion unit configured to safely transform volatile and semi-volatile organic components into primarily carbon dioxide and water.

25. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a momentum-based separation system that separates liquid droplets and fine solids.

26. The treatment apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the vapour handling apparatus is a combination of one or more of: a condenser; an oxidiser; a direct contact absorber/cooler; a membrane filtration system; an adsorption system; a reactive separation system; a combustion unit; a momentum-based separation system.

27. A system comprising: the treatment apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 26; feeder apparatus operatively connected to the feed end of the treatment tunnel and configured to provide a stream of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; and output apparatus operatively connected to the output end of the treatment tunnel and configured to receive a stream of containers from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

28. The system according to claim 27, wherein the feeder apparatus comprises: a piston arranged to push each of the plurality of containers into the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use; a feeder tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers and delivering the plurality of containers to the feed end of the treatment tunnel such that the piston can push the plurality of containers into the feed end in use.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the feeder tray is configured to buffer a plurality of containers near the feed end of the treatment tunnel in use.

30. The system according to any of claims 27 to 29, wherein the output apparatus comprises a movement means arranged to push the plurality of containers away from the output end of the treatment tunnel in use.

31 .The system according to claim 30, wherein the movement means comprises one or more of: a piston; motorised rollers and a solenoid.

32. The system according to claim 30 or 31 , wherein the output apparatus further comprises an output tray for temporarily storing the plurality of containers in use.

33. The system according to any of claims 27 to 32 wherein the output apparatus comprises a container emptying station configured to empty the plurality of containers of drilling cuttings in use.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the container emptying station comprises: a container emptying device configured to remove the drilling cuttings from the plurality of containers in use; and a cuttings receiving tank configured to receive the removed cuttings from the container emptying device in use.

35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the container emptying device is configured to rotate the container around a horizontal axis in use, such that the drilling cuttings can fall out of the container.

36. The system according to claim 34 or claim 35, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to jar the plurality of containers to release the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

37. The system according to any of claims 34 to 36, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to shake the plurality of containers to release the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

38. The system according to any of claims 34 to 37, wherein the container emptying device is further configured to vacuum the plurality of containers to remove the drilling cuttings from the container in use.

39. The system according to any of claims 34 to 38, wherein the container emptying station further comprises a container return elevator.

40. A method for releasing at least a portion of oil from drilling cuttings, the method comprising the steps of:

41 .The method according to claim 40, further comprising the step of:

42. The method according to claim 40 or 41 , wherein: step 3 further comprises arranging the microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a first central module between the feed end and the output end.

43. The method according to claim 42 when dependent on claim 41 , wherein: step 6 further comprises arranging the second microwave producer to deliver microwave radiation inside a second central module between the feed end and the output end; wherein the second central module is provided further towards the output end of the tunnel than the first central module.

44. The method according to claim 43, further comprising the step of:

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein step 5 further comprises operating the monoethylene glycol unit to deliver monoethylene glycol to the drilling cuttings in at least one of the plurality of containers.