US Patent 7493969 Drill cuttings conveyance systems and methods

Vessels, system and methods for conveying drilling cuttings material, which, in certain aspects, include a system for conveying material from a vessel, the system having a vessel for receiving material to be conveyed, a first conduit for conveying air, a second conduit for receiving air from the first conduit and for conveying air into the vessel, a metering screw for receiving material from the vessel and for moving the material from the vessel, a discharge line for receiving the material from the metering screw, the discharge line having an exit end, pressure sensor apparatus for sensing pressure in the discharge line, and control apparatus for automatically controlling the metering screw in response to a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor apparatus.