Regime Recognition For MH-47E Structural Usage Monitoring

Formation chip sampling method and apparatus for separating solids from the liquid contained in drilling mud which has been obtained from an earth boring operation. The returned drilling mud is flow connected in series relationship to a gas separator, a splitter which reduces the amount of sample to be treated, and to a reservoir. A pump flow connects the reservoir to a cyclone type separator which removes the solids from the sample. The reservoir further includes a level controller which provides make-up liquid so as to provide the pump with optimum suction conditions.