Solids Control system is one of
the 8 systems for oil and gas drilling rig. And it could be regarded as a
complete closed loop system, which is used for receiving the drilling mud from
the well and separating out as much as drilling cuttings, then transfer the
drilling mud back into the drilling system.
In a complete drilling mud solids control system,
or sometimes we call it drilling mud recycling or cleaning system, there are 4
steps of solids control and 5 steps cleaning. What do they mean?
What is 4 steps solids control?
Solids control, words speak out
the meaning, to control the solids phase in the drilling mud to the minimum. There
are 4 steps of solids control equipments,:
1. Linear
motional Shale Shaker, by the vibration of the shaker deck, the solids
particles larger than 100 microns are separated out. Shale shaker is the most
efficient equipment. Drilling mud from the well falls directly to the shakers
buffer box. So shale shaker needs no feeding pumps.
2. Desander
cones, composed of several 10 inch hydrocyclones made of polyurethane material
, are used for separating out the solids particles larger than 40 microns. Qty of 10 inch hydrocyclones depends
on the treating capacity.
3. Desilter
cones, composed of several 4 inch hydrocyclones made of polyurethane material,
used for separation of solids particles larger than 25 microns. Same as desander,
this QTY also differs per capacity.
Remarks: in more and more cases,
mud cleaner plays the role of both desander and desilter. It combined the
desander, desilter together, with a underflow shaker. And desander and desilter need respectively centrifugal
pumps for feeding.
4 . Decanter centrifuges. In a oil and gas system
smaller than 1000HP rig, there is a middle speed decanter centrifuge, and for
larger rigs, there are always one set of middle speed centrifuge and one set of
high speed centrifuge. GNLW452 and GNLW363 are ideal choices here.
What is 5 steps cleaning?
5 Steps of cleaning for the drilling
mud include above mentioned 4 items for separation of solids particles from the
liquid, there is 1 more treatment to release the bubbles from the liquid, by
Vacuum degasser. Vacuum degasser is
always located after the shale shaker and before others, so it also helps to
protect the centrifugal pumps.
GN Solids Control has a long time
experience design and provide such systems to worldwide large drilling
companies. May you have interest, welcome to visit GN’s website or visit GN
company.
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