Different construction activities lead to the production of waste. However, the biggest issue is the way to manage waste. The industry faces various challenges while disposing of waste during the drilling process. Trenchless technology involves using drilling fluid because it facilitates pipe installation with lubrication. You need to implement proper waste management techniques for drilling wastes. Solids control and several other technologies are available for drilling waste management.
The trend of using drilling fluids in the trenchless sector is comparatively new. But, there is a slight shift in this trend because solids control is a significant part of the drilling procedure. Professionals have become more aware that disposal and maintenance of drilling fluid may harm the environment and cause several problems.
With innovative solids control technology, you can double the fluid life. From the environmental and cost perspectives, dilution and mud dumping are not desirable. That is why you can use solids control equipment for better and more effective drilling.
The main purpose of using solids control technology is to eliminate contaminants or large drilled particles. You need to do it without affecting commercial-grade drilling fluid. So, it is essential to implement proper solids removal equipment and process a significant part of mud circulation. Solids not filtered with your equipment will undergo mechanical degradation.
During your drilling activities, solids control plays an important role. Still, some contractors overlook it in their construction projects. With the best solids control program, you can reduce the operational cost-
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Reliable solids control companies enable you to achieve regulatory and environmental compliance. High-quality solids control equipment has different components that need evaluation for higher efficiency. For instance, proper sizing is important for centrifuges to manage fluid rates.
With the flow of solids through mud circulation and drilling systems, various components eliminate solids. Effecting mud equipment lets you filter out most solids, including the smallest particles.
A good solids control system makes your fluid life longer. When the solids’ concentration increases, the filter cake quality gets reduced. As a result, the cake becomes thicker and affects downhole filtration. Let us now talk about the solids control equipment for better performance of the drilling fluid.
Desanders are solid control systems that include hydro-cyclones to make silt and sand separated from drilling fluids. Installed on the mud tank, desanders are effective in removing abrasive particles from your fluid. As these solids are not removable with shakers, desanders are the right alternatives. The diameters of the solids range from 45 to 74μm. So, you can use hydro-cyclone desanders as effective and affordable equipment.
There are no moving components in desanders. If the desander’s internal diameter is larger, it can process more drilling fluids. A desander has a cone-shaped design and removes almost 50% of solids at 15 US gallons in a single minute.
This equipment involves a 2-stage solids control process and comprises different hydro-cyclones installed on a vibrating screen. Mud cleaners help in filtering solid particles from drilling fluids. The mud refers to a special fluid with different levels of viscosity. You can use the equipment to manage your drilling operations. The system also lets you maintain proper hydrostatic balance.
Mud cleaners have a special solids control mechanism and involve hydro-cyclones. You can install them on the shale shaker’s vibrating screen. With multiple hydro-cyclones, it is easy to drive the mud flow rate. These hydro-cyclones are of different sizes. While smaller cones are desilters, the larger ones are desanders. The diameter can range from 4” to 10”.
Lighter muds have comparatively low solids content, and you can choose a fine screen for this purpose. On the other hand, you should rely on a coarser screen if the content is weighted mud (containing higher solids).
A Centrifugal pump is designed to raise the liquid to a higher level. It has a simple mechanism for the conversion of rotational energy to energy for fluid movement. The main parts for energy conversion are the casing and the impeller. The casing refers to the passing surrounding the impeller. The fluid of the centrifugal pump accesses the casing and reaches the impeller blades. However, different factors affect the pump’s performance.
For instance, fluids with low viscosity are suited for centrifugal pumps because the pumping process results in high liquid shear. The gravity and density of the working fluid can also make a difference in performance. The overall weight directly affects how much work is done by the pump.
Other pumping conditions, such as, pressures and temperature, are significant for an operation. For instance, you need seals and special gaskets for high-temperature centrifugal pumping.
Screw conveyors are designed to move drilled fluid and cuttings. You can also assemble them to collect dry oil-based cuttings from solids control equipment’s pieces. A screw conveyor comprises an auger encased in a U-shaped or flanged trough with covers. An electric motor powers the system, and it includes a gearbox. Proper motor sizes provide a considerable amount of torque and horsepower to allow the movement of cuttings at an optimal rate. The discharge systems and the feed remain attached to the flanges. Housing enclosures, loading, and length are the most important operating parameters to determine the bearing type.
Slurry pumps are innovative systems to move solids and liquid mixtures in some industries. They have several appliances, ranging from drilling mud pumping to mine drainage. You can use the slurry pumps to pump the chosen medium that includes abrasive particles. It will be easier to move solids hydraulically.
During wet processes, slurry pumps transport materials across your concentrator plants. While the system goes down, the ore refining processes of the slurry pump have an effect.
The centrifugal functioning of the slurry pump is very simple. It depends on the centrifugal force generation and rotates the impeller. It forces the slurry to pass through the system.
During your oil drilling activity, drilling fluids help you with borehole cleaning by bringing the rock pieces to the surface. With the flow of fluid from the downhole, rocks formed surrounding it produce fluids that contains H2S. The gas moves close to the surface and causes bubble formation in the mud flow. However, bubbles may damage different types of systems used for mud downhole recirculation. So, you can use mud gas separators like vacuum degassers.
These degassers have low internal tank pressure and turbulent flow to manage the drilling fluid and turn out bubbles.
Vacuum pumps of degassers derive bubbles from your fluid. These pumps absorb the gas in the tank of degassers. The drilling fluid moves downward because of gravity. Gas present in the fluid will not move downward along with the mud. So, you have to optimize the pump’s suction pressure. As the suction pressure has variations, you should evaluate it.
Vacuum degassers have self-contained units, and there is no need to use centrifugal pump for feeding the mud. They prevent corrosion and minimize maintenance costs.
Your drilling equipment has different parts known as shale shakers. Mining, coal cleaning, and several other industries use them for removing large solids.
Drilling fluids contain different chemicals in oil or water-based solution. You can reduce the loss of drilling fluids by removing them from drilled cuttings.
Shale shakers have become the most popular tool for solids separation. After coming back to the surface, the drilling fluid moves to the shakers. When the processing is over, the mud tanks collect the drilling fluids. Other systems start removing finer solid particles from them. So, the drilling industry gives high importance to shale shakers.
Mud is a fluid substance that reaches the drilling hole and returns to the surface. Drilling mud provides significant hydrostatic pressure and prevents fluids from accessing the borehole. So, the drill bit remains cool and clean.
A drilling rig with solids control technology uses a mud gun. This tool is effective in managing the drilling mud in the system and prevents the precipitation of mud. The equipment structure is very simple and ensures flexible operation. The gun agitates and circulates the mud to maintain the optimal condition and eliminates solids to avert them from getting settled.
.You can now choose the most effective system to remove solids. Know the right way to use your solids control equipment and manage solids of different sizes. As every project is unique and there are different soil conditions, solids control technologies should be able to manage the conditions of your site. You may need to choose various screen sizes and meshes to serve your purpose.
A reliable solids control system can make fine-cut and scalp-cut. It should have enough capacity to blend and recirculate the drilling fluid. Find the best solids control equipment with a versatile design.
