Professional Documents
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Handbook
Handbook
PREFACE
This Handbook was written by the Technical Services staff of Brandt/EPI
to provide a basic understanding of effective mechanical removal of drilled
solids and management of drilling wastes. Based on sound theoretical concepts, this Handbook is a practical working tool. It is designed for use by
anyone needing to optimize drilling efficiency: drilling engineers, supervisors, tool pushers, mud engineers, derrick hands, service personnel and
others.
This 4th edition of the Handbook provides updated sections on equipment and techniques, and includes new information on waste processing
systems, including downhole injection, solidification/ stabilization, water
clarification, and other site remediation techniques. We would appreciate
any suggestions for improving future editions of the Handbook. Please
address your comments to:
Brandt/EPI Technical Group
P.O. Box 2327
Conroe, TX 77305
TEL:
FAX:
(713) 756-4800
(713) 756-8102
Thanks,
Mike Montgomery
Manager, Technical Group
Brandt/EPI
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
iii
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
4.16
4.17
Screen Panels................................................................................................4.9
BlueHexSM 3HX Screen Panels .....................................................................4.9
Pinnacle Screen Panels .............................................................................4.9
PT Screen Panels ........................................................................................4.10
Hook-Strip Screen Panels...........................................................................4.10
Hydrocyclone Units ....................................................................................4.10
Desanders....................................................................................................4.10
Desilters.......................................................................................................4.11
Centrifuges ..................................................................................................4.11
SC-1 Decanting Centrifuge .........................................................................4.11
SC-4 Decanting Centrifuge .........................................................................4.12
HS 3400 High Speed Decanting Centrifuge ..............................................4.12
SC 35HS High Speed Decanting Centrifuge..............................................4.12
HS 5200 High Speed Decanting Centrifuge ..............................................4.13
Roto-Sep Perforated Rotor Centrifuge .......................................................4.13
Dewatering Units ........................................................................................4.14
Filtration Units ............................................................................................4.14
Vacuum Degassers......................................................................................4.15
Mud Agitators..............................................................................................4.15
Portable Rig Blowers ..................................................................................4.15
Integrated Systems......................................................................................4.16
Closed Loop Processing Systems ...............................................................4.16
Coiled Tubing (CT) Processing Systems....................................................4.17
Trenchless Technology Processing Systems..............................................4.17
Live Oil Systems..........................................................................................4.17
Remediation Management Services ...........................................................4.17
Technical & Engineering Services..............................................................4.18
APPENDICES
Glossary .....................................................................................................................A.2
Mud Solids Calculations
Standard Calculations..................................................................................................B.1
Field Calculations to Determine Total Solids Discharge...........................................B.4
Field Calculations to Determine High and Low Gravity Solids Discharge ..............B.5
Solids Control Performance Evaluation .....................................................................B.6
Method for Comparison of Cyclone Efficiency .......................................................B.10
Mud Engineering Data
Conversion Constants and Formulas..........................................................................C.1
Density of Common Materials ....................................................................................C.2
Hole Capacities ...........................................................................................................C.3
Pounds per Hour Drilled Solids Fast Rates ..........................................................C.4
Pounds per Hour Drilled Solids Slow Rates.........................................................C.5
Solids Content Chart ...................................................................................................C.6
Equipment Selection
Pre-well Project Checklist...........................................................................................D.1
Screen Cloth Comparisons .........................................................................................D.2
Brandt/EPI Equipment Specifications........................................................................D.3
Selecting Size and Number of Agitators ....................................................................D.7
Brandt/EPI Sales & Service Locations ....................................................................D.8
iv
1.0
1.1 FUNCTIONS OF
DRILLING FLUID
The mud system in a drilling
operation performs many important
functions. Among these are:
1. Carry the drilled solids from
the bottom of the hole to the
surface.
2. Support the wall of the hole.
3. Control pressure within the formation being drilled.
4. Cool the bit and lubricate the
drill string.
5. Clean beneath the bit.
6. Suspend cuttings while circulation is interrupted (e.g., during
trips).
7. Secure accurate information
from the well (cuttings samples, electric logs, etc.).
8.
4.
ITEM
Cement Dust (Portland)
Talcum Powder
Red Blood Corpuscles
Finger Tip Sensitivity
Human Sight
Human Hair
Cigarette (diameter)
One inch
DIAMETER IN MICRONS
3-100
5-50
7.5
20
35-40
30-200
7520
25,400
Figure 1-1
Micron Size Range of Common Materials
PARTICLE SIZE
(Diameter in Microns)
Cuttings
Sand
74-500
Silt
2-74
Clay
Smaller than 2
Figure 1-2
Common Field Terminology of Particle Size
Figure 1-3
Mechanical Degradation of Drilled Solids
SQUARE FEET
PER POUND
5.0
Glass Spheres
5.0
Crushed Quartz
2,345
3,435
1.0
Glass Spheres
11,725
1.0
Crushed Quartz
17, 160
0.1
Glass Spheres
117,250
0.1
Crushed Quartz
171,500
Figure 1-4
Effect of Particle Size and Shape on Surface Area
Figure 1-5
Effect of Specific Surface Area on Viscosity
1.4
1.3 PROPERTIES OF
DRILLING MUD
The ability of a drilling fluid to
perform its functions depends on
various properties of the mud, most
of which are measurable and are
affected by solids control.
VISCOSITY
Viscosity measures the muds
resistance to flow as a liquid and is
one of the key physical properties
of mud. Increasing the amount of
solids or exposed surface area in a
mud increases its resistance to flow
as a liquid and therefore increases
1.5
YIELD POINT
PLASTIC VISCOSITY
A muds Plastic Viscosity is the portion of a muds flow resistance
caused by the mechanical friction
between the suspended particles
and by the viscosity of the continuous liquid phase. In practical terms,
plastic viscosity depends on the
size, shape, and number of particles. For example, as the amount of
drilled solids in a mud increases,
the plastic viscosity also increases.
Plastic viscosity is measured with a
1.6
Yield point is the part of flow resistance that measures the positive
and negative inter-particle, or
attractive, forces within a mud.
Yield point is measured with a
viscometer and expressed in
lbs/100 ft 2. Internationally, yield
point is sometimes measured in
dynes/cm2.
GEL STRENGTH
Gel Str ength is a function of a
muds inter particle forces and gives
an indication of the amount of gelation that will occur after circulation
ceases and the mud remains static
for a period of time. Typically, gel
strengths are reported for initial and
10-second gel strength. A large
deviation of these two figures may
indicate progressive gels, that is,
gelation structures that gain
strength over time. Gel strength is
also measured with a viscometer
and expressed in lbs/100 ft 2 .
Internationally, gel strength is
sometimes measured in dynes/cm2.
SOLIDS CONTENT
The solids content is the volume
percentage of the total solids in the
SAND
Sand is any particle larger than 74
FILTRATION
Filtration and wall-cake building
are actions that the drilling mud
carries out through and on the
walls of the hole. Some formations
allow the liquid in the mud to seep
into them, leaving a layer of mud
solids on the wall of the hole. This
layer of mud solids is called filter
cake or wall-cake. The filter cake
builds up a barrier and reduces the
amount of the liquid that enters the
formation and is lost from the mud.
This process is referred to as filtration, or fluid loss. The instrument
used to measure the fluid loss due
to filtration is a filter press (see
Figure 1-11).
1.7
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Chemical Properties is a broad
category, including measurements
of pH, alkalinity, chlorides, calcium
1.8
1.4 TYPES OF
DRILLING MUDS
Drilling fluids are generally categorized as water-base or oilbase, and as weighted or
unweighted muds.
Water-base Muds contain water as
the liquid phase and are used to
drill most of the wells in the world
because they are relatively simple,
expense is usually reasonable, and
water is commonly available in
most places.
Oil-base Mud contains either natural oil or synthetic oil as the
continuous liquid phase and is used
for maximum hole protection. Oilbase mud and synthetic oil mud are
usually much more expensive than
water-base mud and therefore are
only used when there is a specific
D.
Saltwater Mud
1.
2.
SPUD MUD
Spud Mud is used to start the
drilling of a well and continues to
be used while drilling the first few
hundred feet of hole. Spud mud is
usually an unweighted water-base
mud, made up of water and natural
solids from the formation being
drilled. It may contain some commercial clay, added to increase
viscosity and improve wall-cake
building properties.
1.9
NATURAL MUD
Natural Mud (sometimes called
native mud) is usually unweighted water-base mud which contains
mostly drilled solids. Some bentonite and small amounts of
chemicals may be used to improve
filter cake quality and help prevent
hole problems. This mud is often
the next mud type used after spud
mud. Often, natural mud is used to
drill the first few thousand feet of
hole, where only minor hole problems are expected.
SALTWATER MUD
Saltwater Muds contain a high
concentration of salt. They may be
weighted or unweighted.
Sea Water Muds contain sea water
as the continuous phase and, usually, only sea water is used for
dilution. They may be weighted or
unweighted. These muds are used
offshore and in bay areas where
fresh water is not readily available.
When sea water mud is being
used, only sea water should be
used to rinse or wash the screens in
solids control equipment.
Saturated Salt Muds (sometimes
called brine fluids) contain as much
salt as can be dissolved in the water
phase. This mud type is often used
to drill through salt formations so
the fluid will not dissolve the salt
formation. If fresh water mud is
used, greatly enlarged holes would
result, usually leading to hole trouble.
It is important to be aware of the
use of salt mud because screen
1.12
2.0
INTRODUCTION
Of all the problems that could
conceivably occur during the
drilling of a well, mud contamination from drilled solids is a
certainty. The volume and type of
solids present in drilling mud exert
a considerable influence over mud
treating costs, drilling rates,
hydraulics, and the possibility of
differential sticking, kicks, and lost
returns. Solids control is one of the
most important phases of mud control it is a constant issue, every
day, on every well. If drilled solids
can be removed mechanically, it is
almost always less expensive than
trying to combat them with chemicals and dilution.
The primary reason for using
mechanical solids control equipment is to remove unwanted drilled
solids particles from the mud in
order to prevent drilling problems
and reduce mud and waste costs,
thereby reducing overall drilling
costs. The benefits of solids
removal by mechanical separation
can best be seen in terms of two
outcomes: 1) reduced total mud
solids and 2) reduced dilution
requirements.
DRILLED
SOLIDS
PERCENT BY
VOLUME
8.5
8.6
8.7
8.8
8.9
9.0
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.8
9.9
10.0
1.2
2.0
2.7
3.5
4.2
5.0
5.7
6.4
7.2
8.0
8.7
9.4
10.2
11.0
11.7
12.4
BBLS OF WATER
REQUIRED TO DILUTE
1 TON SOLIDS AND
MAINTAIN MUD WEIGHT
182
111
80
63
53
44
38
34
30
27
25
23
22
20
19
18
2.3
DRILLED SOLIDS
3.0
INTRODUCTION
The goal of modern solids control
systems is to reduce overall well
costs by prompt, efficient removal
of drilled solids while minimizing
the loss of liquids. Since the size of
drilled solids varies greatly from
cuttings larger than one inch in
diameter to sub-micron size several types of equipment may be
used depending upon the specific
situation. The fundamental purpose
for solids removal equipment is just
that remove drilled solids. The
end result is reduced mud and
waste disposal costs.
To reach this goal, each piece of
equipment will remove a portion of
the solids, either by screening or
centrifugal force. Each type of
equipment is designed to economically separate particles of a
particular size range from the liquid. Also to operate effectively,
each type of equipment must be
sized, installed, operated, and maintained properly.
The efficiency of the solids control system can be evaluated by
comparing the final volume of mud
accumulated while using the equipment to the volume of mud that
would result if drilled solids were
controlled only by dilution. The
3.2
CUT POINT
Notice the removal range, or Cut
Point, is given as a range of the
particle size removed. Mechanical
solids control equipment classifies
particles based on size, shape, and
density. It is typical to refer to particles as being either larger than the
cut point of a device (oversize) or
3.4
points where 16% and 84%, respectively, of the solids in the feed
stream will be classified as oversize.
These two points are statistically
significant because they are one
standard deviation from the D50 in a
normal distribution. An ideal classifier (the dashed line) would show
very little difference between the
D50, D16 and D84.
Separation Efficiency is a measure
of the D50 size relative to the number of undersize particles that are
removed or oversize particles that
are not removed. The higher the
separation efficiency, the lower the
3.2 SEPARATION BY
SCREENING
One method of removing solids
from drilling mud is to pass the
mud onto the surface of a vibrating
screen. Particles smaller than the
openings in the screen pass
through the holes of the screen
along with the liquid phase of the
mud. Particles too large to pass
through the screen are thereby separated from the mud for disposal.
Basically, a screen acts as a gono
go gauge: Either a particle is small
enough to pass through the screen
opening or it is not.
The purpose of vibrating the
screen in solids control equipment
is to transport the cuttings off the
screen and increase the liquid handling capacity of the screen. This
vibrating action causes rapid separation of whole mud from the
oversized solids, reducing the
amount of mud lost with the solids.
For maximum efficiency, the
solids on the screen surface must
travel in a predetermined pattern
spiral, elliptical, orbital or linear
motion in order to increase particle separation efficiency and
reduce blockage of the screen
openings. The combined effect of
the vibration and the screen surfaces result in the separation and
removal of oversized particles from
drilling mud.
SCREENING SURFACES
Screening surfaces used in solids
control equipment are generally
made of woven wire screen cloth,
in many different sizes and shapes.
The following characteristics of
screen cloth are important in solids
control applications.
Screens may be constructed with
one or more Layers. Non-layered
screens have a single layer, finemesh, screen cloth (reinforced by
coarser backing cloth) mounted on
a screen panel. These screens will
have openings that are regular in
size and shape. Layered screens
have two or more fine mesh screen
cloths, usually of different mesh
(reinforced by coarser backing
cloth), mounted on a screen panel.
These screens will have openings
that vary greatly in size and shape.
To increase screen life, especially
in the 120200 mesh range, manufacturers have incorporated two
design changes:
1) A coarse backing screen to
support fine meshes, and
2) Pre-tensioned screen panels.
The most important advance has
been the development of pretensioned screen panels. Similar panels
have been used on mud cleaners
since their introduction, but earlier
shakers did not possess the engineering design to allow their use
successfully. With the advent of
modern, linear-motion shakers, pre-
SCREEN CLOTH
There are several types of wire
cloth used in the manufacture of
oilfield screens. The most common
of these are Market Grade and
3.8
OPENING SIZE
Size of Opening is the distance
between wires in the screen cloth
and is usually measured in fractions
of an inch or microns. Figure 3-7
shows a screen with a 1/2 inch
opening.
Screens of the same mesh may
have different sized openings
depending on the diameter of the
wire used to weave the screen
cloth. Smaller diameter wire results
3.9
SHAPE OF OPENING
Shape of Opening is determined
by the screens construction.
Screens with the same number of
horizontal and vertical wires per
inch produce square-shaped openings and are referred to as Square
Mesh screens. Screens with a different number of horizontal and
vertical wires per inch produce
SQUARE MESH
3.10
S-16
S-30
S-40
S-50
S-60
S-80
SCREEN PLUGGING
AND BLINDING
Screen Plugging and Blinding,
while present to some degree on
rig shakers fitted with coarser
screens, is most frequently encountered on fine screen shakers. If the
mesh openings plug with near-size
particles or if the openings become
coated over, the throughput capacity of the screen can be drastically
reduced and flooding of the screen
may occur.
Plugging can often be controlled
by adjusting the vibratory motion or
deck angle, but sometimes requires
changing screens to a coarser or
finer mesh. A coarser screen should
be used only as a temporary solution until the particular formation
responsible for near-size particle
generation is passed. Changing to a
finer mesh screen often presents a
better, more permanent solution.
Screen blinding is caused by
3.11
SCREEN CAPACITY
Screen Capacity, or the volume of
mud which will pass through a
screen without flooding, varies
widely depending on shaker model
and drilling conditions. Drilling rate,
mud type, weight and viscosity, bit
type, formation type, screen mesh
all affect throughput to some degree.
3.12
than would be possible with a waterbase mud of the same mud weight.
Some mud components such as synthetic polymers also have an adverse
effect on screen capacity. As a result,
no fine mesh screen can offer a standard throughput for all operating
conditions.
Due to the many factors involved
in drilling conditions, mud characteristics and features of certain
models, capacities on fine screen
shakers can range from 50 to 800
GPM. Multiple units, most commonly dual or triple units, can be used
for higher throughput requirements.
Cascade shaker arrangements, with
scalping shakers installed upstream
from the fine screen shakers, can
also increase throughput.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL
SCREEN PANELS
To increase screen capacity without increasing the size or number
of shale shakers, three-dimensional
screen panels are available. The
design of these 3-D, Pinnacle
shaker screens:
Provides even distribution of
fluid across the screen surface
Eliminates unwanted fluid loss
near the screen edges
Improves dryness of solids discharge
Allows the use of finer screens
3-D screen panels increase the
STANDARDIZATION
Standardization of screen cloth
designations has been recommended by the API committee on
Standardization of Drilling Fluid
Materials, in API RECOMMENDED
PRACTICE 13E (RP13E), THIRD
EDITION, MAY 1, 1993. The purpose for this practice is to provide
standards for screen labeling of
shale shaker screen cloths. The procedures recommended for labeling
allow a direct comparison of separation potential, the ability to pass
fluid through a screen, and the
amount area available for screening.
The API screen labeling includes
of the following:
3.13
1.
2.
3.
Manufacturers designation;
Separation Potential and
Flow Capacity.
RIG SHAKERS
The rig shaker is the simpler of
two types of shale shakers. A rig
shaker (also called Primary Shale
Shaker or Coarse Screen Shaker)
is the most common type of solids
control equipment found on drilling
rigs. Unless it is replaced by a fine
screen shaker, the rig shaker should
be the first piece of solids control
equipment that the mud flows
through after coming out of the
hole. It is usually inexpensive to
operate and simple to maintain.
3.15
MUD TANK
(POSSUM BELLY)
MOTOR
VIBRATOR ASSEMBLY
BELT
GUARD
SCREEN
BASKET
ASSEMBLY
LIQUID and FINE
SOLIDS
DISCHARGE
CHUTE
COARSE SOLIDS DISCHARGE
Figure 3-13 Rig Shaker components
2.
3.
4.
SCREEN TENSIONING
MECHANISMS
3.19
VIBRATOR MECHANISMS
Vibrator Mechanisms vary widely
in design and placement and greatly affect the throughput efficiency
of fine screen shakers. Most modern shakers utilize linear motion
vibration with the vibrator mechanism mounted above the screen
bed. One important advantage of
linear motion is positive conveyance of cuttings across the
screen surface even when the surface is at a positive angle. This
generally allows the use of an
uphill sloped screen deck, greatly
increasing throughput capacity and
cuttings dryness.
Most vibrators are electrically
operated, although a few are
hydraulically operated. In some
units the vibration-inducing eccentric weights are separated from the
drive motor, while in others the
eccentric weights and motor form
an integral assembly. In some units,
the nature of the vibratory motions
can be easily modified to take
advantage of specific solids-conveying characteristics, but most units
have a fixed vibratory motion.
MAINTENANCE
Because of their greater complexity and use of finer mesh screens,
fine screen shakers generally
require more attention than rig
shakers. Nonetheless, their more
effective screening capabilities
3.20
more than justify the higher operating cost. This is especially true
when expensive mud systems are
used.
Besides periodic lubrication, fine
screen shakers require the same
minimum maintenance as rig shakers while making a trip:
Wash down screens.
Check screen tension.
Shut down shaker when not
drilling to extend screen life.
Dump and clean possum belly.
In addition, frequent checks must
be made for screen plugging and
blinding, screen flooding and broken screens. All will occur more
frequently on fine screen shakers
than on coarse mesh rig shakers.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
General rules in operating shale
shakers whether coarse screen
rig shakers or fine screen shakers
which have not already been
mentioned, include the following:
Use the finest mesh screen
capable of handling the full
volume from the flow line
under the particular drilling
conditions. This will reduce
solids loading on downstream
hydrocyclones and screens,
improving their efficiency.
Several screen changes, normally to progressively finer
mesh screens over the course
APPLICATIONS
3.22
Figure 3-18
Particle Removal by Mud Cleaner Screens
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
INSTALLATION
Installation of the mud
cleaner/conditioner is made downstream of the shale shaker and the
degasser. The same pump used to
feed the rigs desander or desilter is
often reconnected to feed the mud
cleaner/conditioner when weight
material is added. (Most mud cleaner/conditioners are designed to also
function as desilter on unweighted
mud by rerouting the cone underflow or by removing or blanking off
the screen portion of the unit. The
mud cleaner/conditioner may then
be used to replace or augment the
rigs desilter during top hole
drilling.)
Follow these guidelines when
installing mud cleaner/conditioners
to allow peak efficiency:
3.25
3.26
GENERAL GUIDELINES
To operate mud cleaner/conditioners at maximum efficiency,
remember these fundamentals:
Operate mud cleaners/conditioners continuously on the full
circulating volume to achieve
maximum drilled solids
removal.
Operate mud cleaners/conditioners within the limits of the
screen capacity. A mud cleaner/conditioner with a cyclone
throughput of 800 GPM is of
little value if the cone underflow exceeds the screen
capacity, resulting in flooding
and high mud additive losses.
Feed the cone underflow to the
screen at a single point.
Multiple feed points on the
screening surface minimize use
of the available screen area
and reduce overall capacity
and efficiency.
Screen throughput is reduced
by increased solids content and
viscosity. The cyclone underflow plays a critical role in
overall mud cleaner/conditioner efficiency. It is often
desirable to modify the performance characteristics of the
cones to decrease the amount
of ultra fines in the cone underflow. This minimizes near-size
screen plugging and barite loss
due to piggy-backing.
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance of mud cleaners/
conditioners generally combines the
requirements of desilters and fine
screen shakers:
Periodic lubrication
Check screen tension
Inspect the screen to ensure it
is free of tears, holes, and
dried mud before start up
Shut down unit when not circulating to extend screen life
Check feed manifold for plugging of cyclone feed inlets
Check cyclones for excessive
wear and replace parts as necessary
3.5 SEPARATION BY
SETTLING AND
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE
Using vibrating screens to remove
drilled solids from mud uses only
one characteristic of solids particles
their size. Another factor which
affects separation is particle density.
Solids control devices which take
advantage of both particle size and
particle density speed up the settling process by application of
centrifugal force.
These devices utilize Stokes Law
as the basis for their operation.
Stokes Law defines the relationship
of factors governing the settling
velocity of particles in a liquid. This
relationship may be stated in its
simplest form as:
3.29
3.7 HYDROCYCLONES
Hydrocyclones (also referred to as
cyclones or cones) are simple
mechanical devices, without moving parts, designed to speed up the
LIQUID DISCHARGE
FEED NOZZLE
VORTEX FINDER
DRILLING MUD
3.30
consists of a cylindrical/conical
shell with a small opening at the
bottom for underflow discharge, a
larger opening at the top for liquid
discharge through an internal vortex finder, and a feed nozzle on
the side of the body near the cylindrical (top) end of the cone.
Drilling mud enters the cyclone
using energy created by a centrifugal feed pump. The velocity of the
mud causes the particles to rotate
rapidly within the main chamber of
the cyclone. Heavy, coarse solids
and the liquid film around them
tend to spiral outward and downward for discharge through the
solids outlet. Light, fine solids and
the liquid phase of the mud tend to
spiral inward and upward for discharge through the liquid outlet.
Design features of cyclone units
vary widely from supplier to supplier, and no two manufacturers
cyclones have identical operating
efficiency, capacity or maintenance
characteristics.
In the past, cyclones were commonly made of cast iron with
replaceable liners and other wear
parts made of rubber or
polyurethane to resist abrasion.
Newer designs are made entirely of
polyurethane, and are less expensive, last longer, and weigh less.
Most well designed oilfield
cyclones operate most efficiently
when 75 feet of inlet head (5 ft) is
CONE
SIZE
(I.D.)
10
12
CAPACITY
(GPM)
5075
7080
100150
150250
400500
400500
FEED
PRESSURE
(PSI)
3040
3040
3040
2535
2030
2030
10
12
1520
2025
2530
3040
3040
4060
3.32
ROPE DISCHARGE
Hydrocyclones should not be
operated in rope discharge because
it will drastically reduce the cone
separating efficiency. In a rope discharge, the solids become crowded
at the apex, cannot exit freely from
the underflow, and become caught
feed
NO CROWDING
AT THE APEX
SPRAY DISCHARGE
CROWDING
AT THE APEX
ROPE DISCHARGE
3.8 DESANDERS
Desanders are hydrocyclones larger
than 5 in diameter (6, 8, 10 or 12
ID). Generally, the smaller the cone,
the smaller size particles the cone
will separate (see Figure 3-24).
Desanders are primarily used to
3.33
Figure 3-24
Particle Removal by Desander Cyclones (200 Mesh Screen Included for Comparison)
INSTALLATION
When installing a desander, follow
these general recommendations:
Size the desander to process
110125% of the total mud circulation rate.
3.34
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance of desanders normally entails no more than checking all
cone parts for excessive wear and
flushing out the feed manifold
between wells. Large trash may collect in feed manifolds which could
cause cone plugging during operation. Preventive maintenance
minimizes downtime, and repairs
are simpler between wells than during drilling.
Use of desanders is normally discontinued when expensive
materials such as barite and polymers are added to a drilling mud,
because a desander will discard a
high proportion of these materials
along with the drilled solids.
Similarly, desanders are not generally cost effective when an oil-base
mud is in use, because the cones
also discard a significant amount of
the liquid phase.
3.9 DESILTERS
A desilter uses smaller hydrocyclones (usually 4 or 5 ID) than
a desander and therefore generally
removes smaller particles. The
smaller cones enable a desilter to
make the finest particle size separation of any full flow solids control
equipment removing solids in
the range of 15 microns and larger
(Figure 3-25). This makes it an
important device for reducing average particle size and removing
3.35
Figure 3-25
Particle Removal by Desilter Cyclones (200 Mesh Screen Included for Comparison)
INSTALLATION
Installation of desilters is normally
downstream from the shale shaker,
sand trap, degasser and desander,
and should allow ample space for
maintenance. Here are some fundamentals for installing desilters:
3.36
GUIDELINES
To operate desilters at maximum
efficiency, follow these basic guidelines:
Operate the cones with a spray
discharge. Never operate the
desilter cones with a rope discharge since a rope underflow
cuts cone efficiency in half or
worse, causes cone plugging,
and increases wear on cones.
Use enough cones and adjust
the cone underflow openings
to maintain a spray pattern.
Operate the desilter unit at the
suppliers recommended feed
head. This is generally
between 7080 feet of head.
Too much energy will result in
excessive cone wear.
Check cones regularly for bottom plugging or flooding, since
a plugged cone allows solids
to return to the mud system. If
a cone bottom is plugged,
unplug it with a welding rod
or similar tool. If a cone is
flooding, the feed is partially
plugged or the bottom of the
cone may be worn out.
Run the desilter continuously
while drilling and also for a
short while during a trip. The
3.37
MAINTENANCE
A desilters smaller cyclones are
more likely than desander cones to
become plugged with oversized
solids, so it is important to inspect
them often for wear and plugging.
This may generally be done
between wells unless a malfunction
occurs while drilling. The feed
manifold should be flushed
between wells to remove trash.
Keep the shale shaker well maintained never bypass the shaker
or allow large pieces of material to
get into the active system.
A desilter will discard an appreSCROLL
3.10 DECANTING
CENTRIFUGE
Centrifuges for oilfield applications were first introduced in the
early 1950s. These early units were
adapted from existing industrial
decanting centrifuges. In the mid1960s, a perforated rotor type
machine was developed which
SCROLL FEED CHAMBER
BOWL
WEIRS
FEED PIPE
DRILLING
MUD
SOLIDS DISCHARGE
HOLLOW
SHAFT
LIQUID DISCHARGE
3.38
SEPARATION PROCESS
A Decanting Centrifuge is so
named because it Decants, or
removes, free liquid from separated
solids. A decanting centrifuge consists of a conveyor screw inside a
rotating bowl, see Figure 3-26.
Decanting centrifuges operate on
the principle of exposing the
process fluid to increased Gforces, thus accelerating the
settling rate of solids in the fluid. A
rotating bowl creates high G-forces
and forms a liquid pool inside the
bowl.
The free liquid and finer solids
flow toward the larger end of the
centrifuge and are removed through
the effluent overflow weirs. The
larger solids settle against the bowl
WEIGHTED MUD
APPLICATIONS
The classic application of centrifuges while drilling takes
advantage of their ability to make a
very fine cut on the order of
510 microns when treating
weighted water-base mud. In this
application, centrifuges are used
intermittently to process a small
portion of the volume circulated
from the well bore to reduce the
amount of colloidal-sized and
improve the flow properties of the
mud. Viscosity can be effectively
controlled by discarding a relatively
small amount of colloidal size solids
and replacing the discarded liquid
with fresh make-up water.
To remove these colloidal solids,
the liquid fraction from the
decanter (or the lighter slurry fraction from the perforated cylinder
UNWEIGHTED MUD
APPLICATIONS
In the classic weighted mud application the solids discharge
(containing the majority of the
weighting material) is returned to
the mud system. The liquid effluent
(containing the majority of the colloidal size solids) is discarded.
As part of a closed loop, larger
high capacity (75250 GPM)
decanting centrifuges (and sometimes standard centrifuges) are used
to maximize fine solids removal.
The coarser solids fraction is discarded in dry form, while the liquid
and colloidal solids fraction is
returned to the mud system.
Decanting centrifuges are becom3.42
WEIGHTED OIL-BASE
MUD APPLICATIONS
In weighted, oil-base mud applications, decanting centrifuges are
operated in series. The first unit
returns the coarse solids fraction
(weight material ) to the active system, with the light, liquid fraction
being routed to a holding tank (rather
than being discarded as in a classic
weighted mud application). A second
unit, often a higher capacity machine,
strips out the solids and discards
them, returning the effluent to the
active system.
This process is not as effective as
a single unit for viscosity control
a large portion of the colloidal size
solids are returned to the active
mud system in the effluent stream
of the second unit but the effluent stream from the first unit is too
valuable to discard, especially with
synthetic oil muds. Usually the
coarse solids fraction is discarded
and the base fluid is retained for reuse.
OPERATING PROCEDURES
Operating procedures will vary
from model to model, but a few
universal principles apply to almost
all centrifuges:
Before starting a centrifuge,
rotate the bowl or cylinder by
hand to be sure it turns freely.
Start up the centrifuge before
starting the mud feed pump
and dilution water feed.
Set the raw mud and dilution
feed rates according to the
manufacturers recommendations (usually variable with
mud weight).
Remember to turn the feed and
dilution water off before the
machine is stopped.
Centrifuges are relatively easy to
operate, but they require special
skills for repair and maintenance.
Rig maintenance of centrifuges is
limited to routine lubrication and
speed adjustment of the unit.
MUD GUNS
For many years Mud Guns (see
Figure 3-27) were used as the sole
means of agitation. These devices
usually carry mud from a downstream compartment and spray it at
high velocity into an
upstream compartment to keep solids
suspended.
However, the true
mixing effect of mud
guns tends to be
localized around the
point where the nozzle spray discharges,
leaving dead spots in
other areas of the
tank. Mud guns also
increase the load on
downstream solids
Figure 3-27
Mud Gun
control equipment,
since each nozzle may add 100
200 GPM of mud into the tank
above and beyond the normal flow
from the well.
MECHANICAL AGITATORS
Mechanical Agitators (see Figure
3-28) provide more thorough mixing of pits without the problems
associated with mud guns. Agitators
use an electric motor to drive
impeller blades which flow the
mud in a pattern throughout the
tank.
3.43
ATMOSPHERIC DEGASSERS
Figure 3-28 Mechanical Agitator
DEGASSERS
After passing through a shale
shaker and a sand trap, all drilling
mud should be directed through a
degasser, see Figure 3-29. Degassers
are often essential to the solids
removal process to ensure the
proper performance of hydrocyclones used in downstream solids
control devices. The centrifugal
pumps that feed the cyclones have
difficulty maintaining their efficien-
3.44
VACUUM-TYPE DEGASSERS
Vacuum-type Degassers separate
gas bubbles from drilling mud by
spreading the gas-cut mud into thin
layers and then drawing off the
gases with a vacuum pump. The
mud is usually thinned by flowing it
over a series of baffles or plates.
Vacuum degassers are normally
skid-mounted and installed on top
of the mud tanks.
Some models incorporate more
than one degassing technique within a single unit. For example, one
INSTALLATION
Actual placement of the degasser
and related pump will vary with the
design of the degasser, but these
recommendations may be used as a
general rule:
Install a screen in the inlet pipe
to the degasser to keep large
3.45
DRYING SHAKERS
A drying shaker, or dryer, is a
vibrating screen separator used to
remove free liquid from cuttings
prior to discharge and recover the
liquid for re-use. Drying shakers are
usually installed to process the cuttings discharged from primary
scalping and/or fine screen shakers.
A typical drying shaker is a linearmotion, multi-screen unit, with a
feed hopper in place of the traditional back tank. Drying shakers are
optimized to provide maximum
retention time and cuttings dryness.
Large hole sizes or high penetration
rates may require more than one
drying shaker to provide acceptable
cuttings dryness and liquid recovery.
Shale shakers are often the cause
of excess mud loss during drilling
operations, primarily due to screening too fine for drilling conditions
and the design of some shakers.
This mud loss can greatly increase
mud costs and site clean-up costs,
especially when oil-base muds,
OBM, or synthetic-base muds, SBM,
are used. One characteristic of SBM
is the increased amount of liquid
retained on the cuttings, compared
to WBM or conventional OBM.
INSTALLATION
3.48
3.52
4.0
COMPANY PROFILE
4.1 Scope of Services:
Brandt/EPI specializes in the
design, manufacture, and service of
solid/liquid separation systems,
related equipment, and site remediation services for exploration,
production, and industrial applications. We have the technical
expertise to provide engineering
services, system design and operation, and proprietary technologies
to our clients throughout the world.
For over 20 years, Brandt/EPI personnel have been providing
industry with solid solutions to separation and remediation problems.
Our diversified experience and
proven track record allow us to
offer a wide range of project capabilities including:
Equipment and Systems
Vibrating Screen Separators
Hydrocyclone Separators
Centrifugal Separators
Dewatering Units
Filtration Units
Integrated Systems
Other Products
Technical and Engineering
Services
Equipment
Recommendations
4.3 Certifications:
Quality products and services are
our priority. Through its parent
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Linear Motion
Cascade Screen Separators
ATL-CS Cascade Separator
The ATL-CS is designed to screen
fine, sticky clays at high flowrates
in a single, modular unit. Typically
constructed from corrosion-resistant
stainless-steel, the ATL-CS combines
the fine screening ability of a single-deck ATL-1200 with the circular
motion of the proven Tandem
Screen Separator into a unit with
the lowest weir height of any highperformance cascade separator.
Figure 4-5
LCM-2D Cascade Linear Motion Screen Separator
4.5
4.7
Mud Cleaners
Brandt/EPI Mud Cleaners are a
field-proven, two-stage separator
designed to process up to 600 GPM
over a single basket. Their horizontal screen deck and circular motion
provide excellent conveyance of
solids, especially sticky clays. The
reliability, low maintenance require-
4.8
Pinnacle Three-dimensional
Screen Panels*
Pinnacle screen panels offer up
to 40% more screening area without
increasing the overall size of the
screen panel or adding additional
shakers. This concept, similar to the
design of a pleated air filter has
several advantages:
Provides even distribution of
fluid across the screen surface
Eliminates unwanted fluid loss
near the screen edges
Improves dryness of solids discharge
Allows the use of finer screens,
usually 23 mesh sizes finer
The increased usable screen area
of Pinnacle screens is best utilized when combined with flat
screen panels on linear motion
shaker with an uphill basket slope.
Pinnacle screens may also
improve performance on scalping
shakers and other orbital shakers
4.9
PT Screen Panels
PT screen panels are used on
Brandt/EPI Mud Cleaners. This
two-panel screen consists of one or
more layers of fine-mesh screen
cloth, pretensioned and bonded to
a metal frame for strength and long
screen life. PT screens are available
from 80 mesh to 325 mesh, in market grade and tensile bolting cloths.
Desilters
Available to process 60 gpm to
1440 gpm, Brandt/EPI Desilters
offer excellent high temperature tolerance, resistance to abrasion, and
low-cost replacement. They incorporate involute feed entry,
preferred flanged designs for tight,
leak-proof performance, all-polymer construction, and standard
Victaulic connections. These features make them the preferred
choice for both contractors and
operators. Each desilter cone is 4
diameter with an adjustable solids
discharge apex for maximum solids
removal. All desilter cones have a
molded-in ceramic insert to reduce
wear and extend the life of the
cone.
4.9 Centrifuges
Brandt/EPI offers several models of reliable, high-performance
centrifuges to meet your two-phase
liquid/solid separation requirements
fine solids removal from
unweighted muds, viscosity control
(barite recovery) for weighted
muds, and dual centrifuge systems
for synthetic oil base muds and
other critical applications. All
Brandt/EPI decanting centrifuges
can be used in both unweighted
and weighted mud applications. All
units feature high capacity contour
bowls, hard-faced conveyor feed
ports and scroll flight tips, hardfaced solids discharge ports, and
variable pond depth orifices. For
safe operation, all units include
safety shut-down devices, explosion-proof electrics, and heavy-duty
guards over all rotating components.
Figure 4-20
HS3400 Centrifuge with Hydraulic Drive
Roto-Sep Centrifuge
The Roto-Sep Centrifuge is a perforated rotor design to remove
undesirable fine solids from weighted drilling fluids. The rotating
separation chamber increases solids
settling rate to remove these fine
solids and recover barite with up to
92% efficiency. Available in skid- or
trailer-mounted units, the Roto-Sep
provides slurrified solids, thus
allowing the unit to be located a
4.13
4.14
4.16
Trenchless Technology
Processing Systems
Brandt/EPI CLMS are also rapidly
becoming the preferred choice for
Trenchless Technology Mud
Systems. We have successfully completed over 75 trenchless projects in
North America, ranging from small
diameter fiber-optic cable installations to large natural gas pipeline
projects. We have also provided
systems and operators for horizontal wells to neutralize underground
contamination plumes and other
environmental remediation projects.
4.16 Remediation
Management Services
Remediation
Management
Services, a Brandt/ EPI company,
provides a full range of site remediation services throughout the world.
In over eighteen years of site remediation, we have successfully closed
over 1,000 surface pits to Louisiana
4.17
4.18
APPENDICES
Glossary ..................................................................................................................A.2
Equipment Selection
Pre-well Project Checklist ................................................................................D.1
Screen Cloth Comparisons ...............................................................................D.2
Brandt/EPI Equipment Specifications ..........................................................D.3
Selecting Size and Number of Agitators ..........................................................D.7
Brandt/EPI Sales & Service Locations ..........................................................D.8
A.1
GLOSSARY
LEGEND
+ API Bul 13C
- API Bul D11
* IADC Mud Equipment Manual
A
ADSORBED LIQUID
The liquid film that adheres to the surfaces of solids particles which cannot
be removed by draining, even centrifugal force.
AERATION*
The mechanical incorporation and dispersion of air into a drilling fluid
system. If not selectively controlled, it
can be very harmful.
AIR CUTTING
See Preferred Term: AERATION
APEX VALVE
See Preferred Term: UNDERFLOW
OPENING.
AIR LOCK
A condition causing a centrifugal pump
to stop pumping due to a ball of air (or
gas) in the impeller center that will not
let liquid enter (usually caused by aeration).
API SAND
Solids particles in a drilling fluid that
are too large to pass through a U.S.
Standard 200 Mesh Screen (74 micron
openings). See related term: SAND
CONTENT.
AMPLITUDE +
The distance from the mean position to
the point of maximum displacement. In
the case of a vibrating screen with circular motion, amplitude would be the
radius of the circle. In the case of
straight-line motion or elliptical motion,
amplitude would be one-half of the
total movement of the major axis of the
ellipse; thus one-half stroke. See related term: STROKE.
A.2
AXIAL FLOW*
Flow from a mechanical agitator in
which the fluid first moves along the
axis of the impeller shaft (usually down
That portion of a shale shaker containing the deck upon which the screen(s)
is mounted; supported by vibration isolation members connected to the bed.
BACKPRESSURE +
The pressure opposing flow from a
solids separation device. See related
term: DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE.
BEACH
Area between the liquid pool and the
solids discharge ports in a decanting
centrifuge or hydrocyclone.
BED *
Shale shaker support member consisting of mounting skid, or frame with or
without bottom, flow diverters to direct
screen underflow to either side of the
skid and mountings for vibration isolation members.
BALANCE DESIGN
(Hydrocyclone)
A hydrocyclone designed so it can be
operated to discharge solids when
there are solids to separate, but will
automatically minimize liquid discharge
when there are no separable solids.
BALANCE POINT *
(of a Hydrocyclone)
That adjustment at which exactly no
liquid will discharge at the underflow
opening, yet any greater opening at all
would result in some liquid discharge.
BARITE, BARYTES
Natural barium sulfate, used for
increasing the density of drilling fluids.
The barite mineral occurs in many colors from white through grays, greens,
and reds to black, according to the
impurities. API standards require a minimum of 4.2 average specific gravity.
BARREL (API)
A unit of measure used in the petroleum industry consisting of 42 U.S.
gallons.
BASKET
BENTONITE
A hydratable colloidal clay, largely
made up of the mineral sodium montmorillonite, used in drilling fluids to
create viscosity. See related term: GEL.
BLADE
See Preferred Term: FLUTE.
BLINDING +
A reduction of open area in a screening surface caused by coating or
plugging. See related terms: COATING,
PLUGGING.
BLOWOUT An uncontrolled escape of drilling
fluid, gas, oil, or water from the well
caused by the formation pressure being
greater than the hydrostatic head of the
fluid in the hole.
BOTTOM (Cyclone)
See Preferred Term: UNDERFLOW
OPENING.
BOTTOM FLOODING
The behavior of a hydrocyclone when
A.3
BOUND LIQUID
See Preferred Term: ADSORBED LIQUID.
CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR +
A general term applicable to any
device using centrifugal force to shorten and/or to control the settling time
required to separate a heavier mass
from a lighter mass.
BOWL +
The outer rotating chamber of a
decanting centrifuge.
C
CAKE THICKNESS The measurement of the thickness of
the filter cake deposited by a drilling
fluid against a porous medium most
often following the standard API filtration test. Cake thickness is usually
reported in 32nds of an inch. See related term: WALL CAKE.
CAPACITY
The maximum volume rate at which a
solids control device is designed to
operate without detriment to separation. See related terms: FEED
CAPACITY, SOLIDS DISCHARGE
CAPACITY.
CASCADE
Fluid movement on a single deck, multiple screen sloping shale shaker basket
which flow is parallel to screens.
CAVING *
Caving is a severe degree of sloughing.
See related term: SLOUGHING.
CENTIPOISE (cp)
A unit of viscosity equal to 1 gram per
centimeter-second. The viscosity of
water at 20C is 1.005 cp.
CENTRIFUGAL FORCE +
That force which tends to impel matter
A.4
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
A device for moving fluid by means of
a rotating impeller which spins the
fluid and creates centrifugal force.
CENTRIFUGE
A centrifugal separator, specifically: a
device rotated by an external force for
the purpose of separating materials of
various specific gravities and/or particle
sizes or shapes from a slurry to which
the rotation is imparted primarily by
rotating bowl.
CERAMICS
A general term for heat-hardened clay
products which resist abrasion: used to
extend the useful life of wear parts in
pumps and cyclones.
CHOKE *
An opening, aperture, or orifice used to
restrict a rate of flow or discharge.
CIRCULATION The movement of drilling fluid from
the suction pit through pump, drill
pipe, bit, annular space in the hole,
and back again to the suction pit. The
time involved is usually referred to as
circulation time.
CIRCULATION RATE The volume flow rate of the circulation
drilling fluid, usually expressed in gallons or barrels per minute.
CLAY-SIZE, CLAY
(Particles)
Any solids particles less than 2 microns
in diameter. Natural clay particles are
commonly (but not limited to) a
hydrous silicate of alumina, formed by
the decomposition of feldspar and
other aluminum silicates. Clay minerals
are essentially insoluble in water but
disperse into extremely small particles
as a result of hydra-small particles as a
result of hydration, grinding, or velocity
effects.
COARSE (Solids) +
Solids larger than 2000 microns in
diameter.
COATING
A condition wherein undersize particles
cover the openings of a screening surface by virtue of stickiness. See related
term: BLINDING.
COLLOIDAL (Solids)
Particles so small that they do not settle
out when suspended in a drilling fluid.
Commonly used as a synonym for
clay.
CONE
See Preferred Term: HYDROCYCLONE.
CONTAMINATION
The presence in a drilling fluid of any
foreign material that may tend to harm
the desired properties of the drilling
fluid.
DECANTING CENTRIFUGE +
A centrifuge which continuously
removes solids that are coarse enough
to be separated from their free liquid.
CONTINUOUS PHASE
The fluid phase of a drilling mud,
either water or oil.
DECK
The screening surface in a shale shaker
basket.
CONVEYOR
A mechanical device for moving material from one place to another. In a
DEFLOCCULATION
Breakup of flocs of gel structures by
use of a thinner or dispersant.
A.5
DEFOAMER Any substance used to reduce or eliminate foam by reducing the surface
tension. Compare: ANTIFOAM.
DEGASSER
A device that removes entrained gas
from a drilling fluid.
DENSITY
Matter measured as mass per unit of
volume expressed in pounds per gallon
(lbs/gal), pounds per square inch per
thousand feet of depth (psi/1000 ft.),
grams per liter (g/l), and specific gravity. Density is commonly referred to as
weight.
DESAND
To remove the API sand from drilling
fluid.
DESANDER
A hydrocyclone capable of removing
the API sand (particles greater than 74
microns) from a drilling fluid.
DESILT
To remove most particles larger than
15-20 microns from a drilling fluid.
DESILTER
A hydrocyclone capable of removing most particles larger than 15-20
microns from a drilling fluid.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE
(Hydrocyclone)
The difference between the inlet and
outlet pressures measured near the inlet
and outlet openings of a hydrocyclone.
DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE (Wall)
STICKING
Sticking which occurs because part of
the drill string (usually the drill collars)
A.6
DIVIDED DECK +
A deck having a screening surface longitudinally divided by partition(s).
DOUBLE FLUTE +
The flutes or leads advancing simultaneously at the same angle and 180 apart.
DRILLED SOLIDS
Formation particles drilled up by the
bit. See related term: LOW SPECIFIC
GRAVITY SOLIDS.
DRILLING IN
The operation during the drilling procedures at the point of drilling into the
producing formation.
DRILLING MUD OR FLUID
A circulating fluid used in rotary drilling
to carry cuttings out of the hole and
perform other functions required in the
drilling operation. See related term:
MUD.
DRILLING OUT
The operation during the drilling procedure when cement is drilled out of the
casing before further hole is made or
completion attempted.
DRILLING RATE
The rate at which hole depth progresses, expressed in linear units per unit of
time (including connections) as
feet/minute or feet/hour. See related
term: PENETRATION RATE.
DRY BOTTOM
Referring to a hydrocyclone, an adjustment of the underflow opening that
causes a dry beach, usually resulting in
severe plugging.
DRY PLUG
The plugging of the underflow opening
A.7
A.8
FILTER CAKE
The suspended solids that are deposited on a porous medium during the
process of filtration, such as the standard API fluid loss test. It may also
refer to the solids deposited on the wall
of the hole. See related term: WALL
CAKE.
FILTER CAKE THICKNESS
A measurement of the solids deposited
on filter paper in 32nds of an inch during the standard 30-min. API filter test.
This term also refers to the cake
deposited on the wall of a hole.
FILTER PRESS
A device for determining fluid loss of a
drilling fluid.
FILTRATION
The process of separating suspended
solids from their liquid by forcing the
latter through a porous medium. Two
types of fluid filtration occur in a well:
dynamic filtration while circulating, and
static filtration when at rest.
FILTRATION RATE
See FLUID LOSS.
FINE (Solids) +
Particles whose diameter is between
44-74 microns.
FINE SCREEN SHAKER
A vibrating screening device designed
for screening drilling fluids through
screen cloth finer than 40 mesh.
FISHING
Operations on the rig for the purpose
of retrieving sections of pipe, collars,
junk, or other obstructive items which
are in the hole and would interfere
with drilling.
FLIGHT +
On a decanting centrifuge, one full turn
of a spiral helix, such as a flute or
blade of a screw-type conveyor.
FLOCCULATING AGENT
A substance, such as most electrolytes
and certain polymers, that causes flocculation.
FLOCCULATION
Loose association of particles in lightly
bonded groups, or non-parallel association of clay platelets. In drilling fluids,
flocculation results in thickening gelation.
FLOODING
The effect created when a screen or
centrifuge is fed beyond its capacity.
Flooding may also occur on a screen as
a result of blinding.
FLUID LOSS Measure of the relative amount of fluid
loss (filtrate) through permeable formations or membranes when the drilling
fluid is subjected to a pressure differential. For standard API filtration-test
procedure, see API RP 13B.
FLUTE
The curved metal blade wrapped
around a shaft as on a screw conveyor
in a centrifuge.
FOAM
A light frothy mass of fine bubbles
formed in or on the surface of a liquid;
usually caused by entrained air or gas.
FORMATION DAMAGE Damage to the productivity of a well
resulting from invasion into the formation by mud particles or mud filtrate.
FREE LIQUID
The layer of liquid that surrounds each
separate particle in the underflow of a
hydrocyclone. The thickness of this
film depends upon the cyclone and the
viscosity of the fluid.
FUNNEL VISCOSITY The time, in seconds, for a quart (or
liter) of drilling mud to flow out the
bottom of a Marsh Funnel. Used in the
field as a rough measure of apparent
viscosity. See related terms: MARSH
FUNNEL, APPARENT VISCOSITY.
G
GAS-CUT (Mud)
Drilling fluid containing entrained gas.
GEAR RATIO +
On a decanting centrifuge, the ratio of
the outer bowl speed to the difference
in speed between the outer bowl and
the screw conveyor, normally
expressed as the number of revolutions
of the outer bowl for a given difference
of one complete revolution between the
outer bowl and the screw conveyor.
GEAR UNIT +
On a centrifuge, a reduction device
connected to the rotating bowl and driving the conveyor at a slightly different
rate.
GEL A term used to designate high colloidal, high-yielding, viscosity-building
commercial clays, such as bentonite
and attapulgite clays.
GEL STRENGTH
The ability or the measure of the ability
of a colloid to form gels. Gel strength
A.9
HOOK STRIPS +
The hooks on the edges of a screen
section which accept the tension member.
HOPPER
See MUD HOPPER.
HORSEPOWER
A measure of the rate at which work is
done. Motor nameplate horsepower is
the maximum steady load that the
motor can pull without damage.
G-FORCE *
The acceleration of gravity (32.2
ft/sec/sec, 9.8 m/sec/sec). Multiplied
acceleration due to centrifugal force is
usually expressed as 1G, 2G, 3G,
11,000G etc.
HYDRATION
The act of a substance to take up water
by means of absorption and/or adsorption; usually results in swelling,
dispersion and disintegration into colloidal particles.
GUMBO *
Any relatively sticky shale formation
encountered while drilling.
HYDROCYCLONE
A liquid-solids separation device which
utilizes centrifugal force to speed up
settling. Drilling fluid is pumped tangentially into a cone and the rotation of
the fluid provides centrifugal force to
separate particles by mass weight - the
heavier solids being separated from the
light solids and liquid.
A.10
HYDROCYCLONE SIZE *
The maximum inside working diameter
of the cone part of a hydrocyclone.
I
INERTIA *
That force which makes a moving particle tend to maintain its same direction.
INHIBITED MUD A drilling fluid having a aqueous phase
with a chemical composition that tends
to retard and even prevent (inhibit)
appreciable hydration (swelling) or dis-
LIQUID *
Fluid that will flow freely, takes the
shape of its container.
LIQUID-CLAY PHASE
See Preferred Term: OVERFLOW
INLET
The opening through which the feed
mud enters a solids control device.
INTERMEDIATE (Solids) +
Particles whose diameter is between
250-2000 microns.
INVERT OIL-EMULSION MUD An invert emulsion is a water-in-oil
emulsion where fresh or salt water is
the dispersed phase and diesel, crude,
or some other oil is the continuous
phase. Water increases the viscosity
and oil reduces the viscosity.
L
LEAD
In a decanting centrifuge, the slurry
conducting channel formed by the
adjacent walls of the flutes or blades of
the screw conveyor.
LIGNOSULFONATES
Organic drilling fluid additives derived
from by-products of sulfite paper manufacturing process from coniferous
woods. Commonly used as dispersants
and anti-flocculants. In large quantities,
may be used for fluid-loss control and
the shale inhibition.
LIQUID DISCHARGE
See Preferred Terms: OVERFLOW
(Hydrocyclones);
UNDERFLOW
(screens).
LIQUID FILM
The liquid surrounding each particle
discharging from the solids discharge of
cyclones and screens. See related term:
FREE LIQUID.
LOST CIRCULATION
The result of whole mud escaping into
a formation, usually in cavernous, fissured, or coarsely permeable beds,
evidenced by the complete or partial
failure of the mud to return to the surface as it is being circulated in the
hole.
LOST CIRCULATION MATERIALS
(LCM)
Materials added to drilling fluid to control mud loss by bridging or plugging
the lost circulation zone.
LOW SILT MUD
An unweighted mud that has all the
sand and high proportion of the silts
removed and has a substantial content
of bentonite or other water-loss-reducing clays.
LOW SOLIDS MUDS
Low solids muds are unweighted
water-base muds containing less than
10% drilled solids (1-4% is a normal
range). They are used whenever it is
desirable to increase penetration rate.
A.11
A.12
MESH
The number openings per linear inch
in a screen. For example, a 200 mesh
screen has 200 openings per linear
inch.
MESH COUNT
The count is the term most often used
to describe a square or rectangular
mesh screen cloth. A mesh count such
as 30 x 30 (or often 30 mesh) indicates
a square mesh, while a designation
such as 70 x 30 mesh indicates a rectangular mesh.
MESH EQUIVALENT
As used in oilfield drilling applications,
the U.S. Sieve number which has the
same size opening as the minimum
opening of the screen in use.
MICRON ()
A unit of length equal to one thousandth of a millimeter; used as a
measure of particle size.
MUD
Mud is the term most commonly given
to drilling fluids; used for circulating
out cuttings and many other functions
while drilling a well.
MUD ADDITIVE Any material added to a drilling fluid to
achieve a particular purpose.
MUD BALANCE A beam-type balance used in determining mud density. It consists primarily of
a base, graduated beam with constantvolume cup, lid, rider, knife edge and
counterweight.
MUD BOX
The feed compartment on a shale shaker into which the mud flow line
MUD FEED +
Drilling fluid, with or without dilution,
for introduction into a liquid-solids separator.
MUD STILL
See RETORT.
MUD GUNS
A system of pumps and piping in
which drilling mud is pumped through
nozzles at a high velocity. Used for
mixing, blending and stirring the mud
pits.
NEAR SIZE
The material very nearly the size of a
screen opening, generally considered
as plus or minus 25% of the opening.
MUD HOPPER *
A device used for mixing mud chemicals and other products into a fluid
stream. It usually consists of a mud jet,
an open top hopper, and downstream
venturi.
OBLONG
(Mesh)
Screen cloth having more wires per
inch in one direction than in another.
For example, 70 x 30 mesh has 70
wires per inch in one direction and 30
wires per inch in the other direction.
(Also called rectangular mesh.)
MUD HOUSE A structure at the rig to store and shelter sacked materials used in drilling
fluids.
MUD MIXING DEVICES
The most common device for adding
OIL-BASE MUD
A drilling fluid containing oil as its liquid phase, usually including 1-5%
water emulsified into the system.
A.13
OPEN AREA
See PERCENT OPEN AREA.
OVERFLOW
The discharge stream from a centrifugal
separation device that contains a higher
percentage of liquids than does the
feed.
OVERFLOW HEADER *
In hydrocyclone operation, a pipe into
which two or more hydrocyclones discharge their overflow.
OVERLOAD +
To feed separable solids to a separating
device at a rate greater than its solids
discharge capacity.
OVERSIZE (Solids)
Particles, in a given situation, that can
be separated from the liquid phase by
centrifugal force or which will not pass
through the openings of the screen in
use.
P
PARTICLE
In drilling mud work, a small piece of
solid material.
PARTICLE SIZE
Particle diameter, usually expressed in
microns. See related term: EQUIVALENT SPHERICAL DIAMETER.
PLASTIC VISCOSITY
Plastic viscosity is a measure of the
internal resistance to fluid flow attributable to the amount, type, and size of
solids present in a given fluid. When
using a direct-indicating viscometer,
plastic viscosity is found by subtracting
the 300-rpm reading from the 600-rpm
reading.
PENETRATION RATE
The rate at which the drill bit pene-
A.14
RAW MUD
Mud, before dilution, that is to be
processed by solids removal equipment.
RECTANGULAR OPENING (Screen
Cloth)
See OBLONG MESH.
RETENTION TIME (Screen) +
The time any given particle of material
is actually on a screening surface.
RETENTION TIME + (Centrifugal
Separators)
The time the liquid phase is actually in
the separating device.
RETORT
An instrument used to distill oil, water,
and other volatile material in a mud to
determine oil, water, and total solids
content in volume-percent. Also called
mud still.
RHEOLOGY
The science that deals with deformation and flow of matter.
RIG PUMPS (or Mud Pumps)
The reciprocating, positive displacement, high pressure pumps used to
circulate drilling fluid through the hole.
RIG SHAKER
A general term for a shale shaker using
coarse mesh screen.
ROPE DISCHARGE
The characteristic underflow of a
hydrocyclone operating inefficiently
and so overloaded with separable
solids that not all the separated solids
can crowd out the underflow opening,
causing those that can exit to form a
slow-moving, heavy, rope-like stream.
A.15
ROTARY DRILLING
The method of drilling wells that
depends on the rotation of a drill bit
which is attached to a column of drill
pipe. A fluid is circulated through the
drill pipe to flush out cuttings and perform other functions.
SCREEN CLOTH
A type of screening surface, woven in
square or rectangular openings. See
related term: WIRE CLOTH.
RPM *
Revolutions per minute.
S
SALT-WATER MUDS A drilling fluid containing dissolved salt
(brackish to saturated). These fluids
may also include native solids, oil,
and/or such commercial additives as
clays, starch, etc.
SAMPLES Cuttings obtained for geological information from the drilling fluid as it
emerges from the hole. They are
washed, dried, and labeled as to the
depth.
SAND CONTENT
The sand content of a drilling fluid is
the insoluble solids content retained on
a 200-mesh screen. It is usually
expressed as the percentage bulk volume of sand in a drilling fluid. This test
is an elementary type in that the
retained solids are not necessarily silica
and may not be altogether abrasive.
SAND TRAP
The first compartment and the only
unstirred compartment in a welldesigned mud system; intended as a
settling compartment to catch large
A.16
SCREENING
A mechanical process which accomplishes a separation of particles on the
basis of size, through their acceptance
or rejection by a screening surface.
SCREENING SURFACE
The medium containing the openings
for passage of undersize material.
SCROLL
See Preferred Term: FLUTE.
SETTLING VELOCITY
The velocity a particle achieves in a
given fluid when gravity forces equal
the friction forces of the moving particle.
SHALE
Stone of widely varying hardness,
color, and compaction that is formed of
clay-sized grains.
SHALE SHAKER
A general term for devices which use a
vibrating screen to remove cuttings and
other large solids from drilling mud.
SHEAR (Shearing Stress)
An action, resulting from applied
forces, which causes or tends to cause
two contiguous parts of a body to slide
relatively to each other in a direction
parallel to their plane of contact - as in
particles within a mud.
SIEVE
See Preferred Term: TESTING SIEVE.
SIEVE ANALYSIS
A measurement of particle size and
percentage of the amount of material in
various particle size groupings. See
related term: PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION.
SILT
Materials whose particle size generally
falls between 2 microns and 74
microns. A certain portion of dispersed
clays and barite falls into this particle
size range as well as drilled solids.
SIZE DISTRIBUTION
See Preferred Term: PARTICLE SIZE
DISTRIBUTION.
SLOUGHING
A situation in which portions of a formation fall away from the walls of a hole,
as a result of incompetent unconsolidated formations, high angle of repose,
wetting along internal bedding planes,
or swelling of formations caused by fluid
loss. See related term: CAVING.
SLURRY
A mixture or suspension of solid particles in one or more liquids.
SOLIDS +
All particles of matter in the drilling
fluid, i.e., drilled formation cuttings,
barite, etc.
SOLIDS CONTENT
The total amount of solids in a drilling
fluid as determined by distillation,
including both the dissolved and the
suspended (or undissolved) solids. The
suspended-solids content may be a
combination of high and low specific
gravity solids and native or commercial
solids. Examples of dissolved solids are
TEST SIEVE
A cylindrical or tray-like container with
a screening surface bottom of standard
aperture.
SPURT LOSS *
The flux of fluids and solids which
occurs in the initial stages of any filtration before pore openings are bridged
and a filter cake is formed.
STROKE
The distance between the extremities
of motion; viz., the diameter of a circular motion. See related term:
AMPLITUDE.
STUCK A condition whereby the drill pipe, casing, or other devices inadvertently
become lodged in the hole.
SUMP
A pit or tank into which a fluid drains
before recirculation or in which wastes
gather before disposal.
SURGE LOSS
See Preferred Term: SPURT LOSS.
SWABBING
When pipe is withdrawn from the hole
in viscous mud or if the bit is balled, a
low pressure is created below the bit.
T
TENSIONING +
The stretching of the screening surface
within the vibrating frame.
TENSION RING
A rigid hoop surrounding a stretched
screen cloth used for maintaining
screen tension and mounting the
screen to a shaker frame.
A.18
ULTRA-FINE (Solids) +
Particles whose diameter is between 244 microns.
UNDERFLOW
(Hydrocyclone)
The discharge stream from centrifugal
separators that contains a higher percentage of solids than does the feed.
See general term: SOLIDS DISCHARGE.
UNDERFLOW (Screen)
The discharge stream from a screening
device which contains a greater percentage of liquids than does the feed.
UNDERFLOW HEADER +
A pipe, tube, or conduit into which
two or more hydrocyclones discharge
their underflow.
UNDERSIZE (Solids)
Particles that will, in a given situation,
remain with the liquid phase when
subjected to centrifugal force, or will
pass through the openings of the
screen in use.
UNWEIGHTED (Mud)
A drilling fluid which has not had significant amounts of high gravity solids
added and whose density and whose
density is generally less than 11 pounds
per gallon.
V
VELOCITY HEAD *
Head (relating to pressure when multiplied by the density of the fluid)
created by the movement of a fluid,
equal to an equivalent height of static
fluid.
VENTURI *
Streamlining up to a given pipe size
following a restriction (as in a jet in a
mud hopper) to minimize turbulence
and pressure drop.
V.G. METER
See VISCOMETER, DIRECT-INDICATING.
VIBRATING SCREEN
A screen with motion induced as an
aid to solids separation.
A.19
WALL STICKING
See Preferred Term: DIFFERENTIAL
PRESSURE STICKING.
WATER-BASE MUD
The conventional drilling fluid containing water as a the continuous phase.
WIRE CLOTH +
Screen cloth of woven wire.
WATER FEED +
Water to be added for dilution of the
mud feed into a centrifugal separator.
See related term: DILUTION WATER.
WEIGHT (Mud Weight)
In mud work, weight refers to the density of a drilling fluid. This is normally
expressed in lbs/gal or specific gravity.
See related term: DENSITY.
WEIGHT MATERIAL
Any of the heavy solids (specific gravity of 4.3 or more) used to increase the
density of drilling fluids. This material
is most commonly barite but can be
galena, etc. In special applications,
limestone is also called a weight material (even though its specific gravity is
2.6).
WEIGHTED (Mud)
A drilling fluid to which heavy (over
4.3 specific gravity) solids have been
added to increase its density.
WEIGHT UP *
To increase the weight of a drilling
A.20
STANDARD CALCULATIONS
I. MUD VOLUME
Capacity of annulus in bbl/ft = [(hole size)2 - (pipe OD)2] * 0.00097
Approximate capacity of hole in bbl/1000 ft = (diameter of hole)2
Approximate pipe displacement, bbl/100 ft = Weight of pipe (lb/ft) * 0.0364
Pit volume in cu ft = Length * Width * Depth
Pit volume in bbl = cu ft
5.6
Hole volume in bbl = [hole capacity(bpf) * depth(ft)] - pipe displacement (bbl)
Annular volume in bbl = hole volume - capacity and displacement of drill pipe
Total Volume = hole volume + pit volume
II. CIRCULATION DATA
Pump output in bpm = bbl/stroke * strokes/minute
Annular velocity in fpm = pump output (bpm * 100)
annular volume (bbl/100 ft)
Bottoms up in minutes = annular volume (bbl)
pump output (bpm)
Hole cycle in minutes = pump output (bpm * 100)
pump output (bpm)
Mud cycle in minutes = total volume (bbl)
pump output (bpm)
B.1
III.
SOLIDS DETERMINATION
A. Low weight muds without barite
Percent solids by volume = (mud weight - water weight) * 7.5
Correct for oil: For each 1% of oil, add 0.1 to % solids by volume
Correct for NaCl: For each 10,000 ppm salt, deduct 0.3% solids by volume. Ignore if salt content is less than 10,000 ppm. Convert Cl ppm to
salt ppm (* 1.65)
B. Weighted Muds
Percent by volume desired solids = (mud weight - 6) * 3.2
C. Drilled Solids Per Foot of Hole
Barrels per foot = (hole size + washout)2 * 0.00097
Pounds per foot = bpf * 910.7
B.
B.2
C.
D.
E.
Terms:
CECa = Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC),
average
CECben = CEC of bentonite, typically 60
CECds = CE of drilled solids, typically 10
Cl
= Total Chlorides, in mg/l
Dm
= Mud density, in ppg
MBTm = Methylene Blue Test, in lbs/bbl
Sa
= Specific gravity of solids, average
Shg
= Specific gravity of high gravity
solids
Slg
= Specific gravity of low gravity
solids
Sm
= Specific gravity of mud
So
= Specific gravity of oil
Sw
Swc
Vb
Vh
Vhg
Vlg
Vs
Vsc
Vw
Vwc
B.3
2.
Use a mud balance to obtain the density (D) of the slurry in pounds
per gallon.
3.
Example:
D = 12.3 #/gal
R = 8 sec
(D - 8.3) * 1450 =
R
(12.3 - 8.3) * 1450 =
8
4 * 1450
= 725 #/hr
8
B.4
2.
Use a mud balance to obtain the density (D) of the sand slurry in
pounds per gallon.
3.
Retort the sand slurry to determine the volume fraction solids (Vs) and
the volume fraction liquids (V1)
4.
B.5
Example:
Given:
Feed Rate
Underflow Density
Feed Density
Effluent Density
Total Low Gravity Solids
Mud Cost
Disposal Cost
Equipment Cost per Day
= 30 gpm
= 17.0 ppg
= 10.0 ppg
= 9.0 ppg
= 6%
= $15./bbl
= $10./bbl
= $600
Effluent Rate, Ve = ?
Underflow Rate, Vu = ?
Underflow Density, Du = 17.0 ppg
B.6
B.7
= X(2.6) + (1-X)
= 2.6X + 1 - X
= 1.6X
= 1.04/1.6 = .65 or 65% solids in underflow
B.8
Cost: $
$71.25
= $71.25 - $1,750
= $(1,678.75)
B.9
Where:
Mud
Feed Volume
Feed Pressure
D
V
UF
=
=
=
Density
Volume Rate
Underflow
CASE #3: When one cone has higher DUF and higher VUF, then that cone
is operating at significantly greater efficiency.
Note: When none of the above conditions occur, or for specific numerical
accuracy, See Appendix A.
B.10
Conversion Constants
Specific Gravity (SG) Water ............................................1.0
1 Gallon of Water ............................................................8.34 lb
1 cu. ft. of Water..............................................................62.4 lb
1 Barrel (42 gallons) of Water.........................................350 lb
100 Column of Water Exerts Hydrostatic
Pressure of.....................................................................43.3 psi
Clay (SG=2.5)...................................................................875 ppb
Barite (SG=4.3) ................................................................1506 ppb
Calcium Carbonate (SG=2.7) ..........................................945 ppb
1 Barrel (42 Gallons) .......................................................5.6146 cu ft
1 Cubic Foot ....................................................................7.48 gal
B.
Conversion Formulas
MULTIPLY
BY
TO OBTAIN
sp gr (specific gravity) ..............62.4 ............pcf (pounds/cubic feet)
sp gr .............................................8.34 ..........ppg (pounds/gallon)
ppg (pounds/gallon)...................0.052 ........psi/ft
bbl (barrels) .................................0.157 ........m3 (cubic meters)
bbl ..............................................42.0 ............gal
bbl ................................................5.615 ........ft3 (cubic feet)
ft3 (cubic feet) ..............................0.0283 ......m3
ft3 ..................................................7.48 ..........gal
gal (gallons).................................0.00379 ....m3
lb (pounds)..................................0.454 ........kg (kilograms)
miles.............................................1.609 ........km (kilometers)
ft (feet) .........................................0.305 ........m (meters)
in. (inches)...................................2.54 ..........cm (centimeters
psi (pounds/in2)...........................6.895 ........kPa (kilo-Pascals)
psi.................................................0.069 ........bar
psi.................................................0.07 ..........kg/cm2
kg/m.............................................0.01 ..........kP/m
sp gr .......................................1000.0 ............kg/m3
ppg (pounds/gallon) ...............119.8 ............kg/m3
ppg ...............................................0.1198 ......kg/liter
pcf (pounds/cubic feet) ............16.02 ..........kg/m3
ppb (pounds/barrel) ...................2.85 ..........kg/m3
psi/ft ...........................................22.61 ..........kPa/m
C.1
MATERIAL
SP GR
PPG
PPB
Barite
4.3
35.9
1506
Bentonite
2.4
20.0
840
Calcium Carbonate
2.7
22.5
945
Cement
3.2
26.7
1120
2.6
21.7
911
Diesel Oil
0.84
7.0
294
Dolomite
2.9
24.2
1016
Fresh Water
1.0
Galena
6.5
54.1
2272
Gypsum
2.3
19.2
806
Iron
7.8
65.0
2730
Iron Oxide
5.1
42.5
1785
11.4
95.0
3990
Limestone
2.8
23.3
980
Salt
2.2
18.3
769
Sand (Silica)
2.6
21.7
911
Lead
C.2
8.33
350
Hole Capacities
HOLE
DIAMETER
(INCHES)
4 3/4
5 5/8
5 7/8
6
6 1/8
6 1/4
6 1/2
6 5/8
6 3/4
6 7/8
7 3/8
7 5/8
7 3/4
7 7/8
8 3/8
8 1/2
8 5/8
8 3/4
9 1/2
9 5/8
9 7/8
10 5/8
12 1/4
13 1/2
14 3/4
17 1/2
26
CAPACITY
(BPF)
.0219
.0307
.0335
.0350
.0364
.0379
.0410
.0426
.0442
.0459
.0528
.0564
.0583
.06.2
.0681
.0701
.0722
.0734
.0876
.0899
.0947
.1096
.1456
.1769
.2112
.2973
.6563
CAPACITY
(GPF)
.92
1.29
1.41
1.47
1.53
1.59
1.72
1.79
1.86
1.93
2.22
2.37
2.45
2.53
2.88
2.94
3.03
3.12
3.68
3.78
3.98
4.60
6.12
7.43
8.87
12.49
27.56
C.4
C.5
C.6
70
60
er
50
ds
vit
40
ing
s
tu
&
at
W
li
So
a
Gr
Lo
m
ximu
solid
ditio
on
od C
Go
s in ds
d
u
i
ater
d M sol
C
&W
Fiel inimum
f
s
s
o
d
e
m
oli
lid
ang
ty S
So
te R
ravi
a
G
m
i
h
rox
Hig
App
sing
u
t
n
onte
sC
d
i
l
So
30
en
t
on
20
10
ma
0
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
MUD WEIGHT - LBS/GAL
17
18
19
Drilling Program:
What are the hole size, casing points, and washout factors?
What is the expected rate of penetration?
What type bit?
What is the mud program?
Are there any environmental restrictions?
What rig is being considered?
Any anticipated hole problems?
Equipment and
Vendor Capability:
Logistics:
Environmental
Issues:
Economics:
D.1
TENSILE
BOLTING
CLOTH
EXTRA FINE
CLOTH,
3-LAYERED
HIGH
CONDUCTANCE
CLOTH,
3-LAYERED
D.2
SCREEN
DESIGNATION
10x10
20x20
30x30
40x40
50x50
60x60
80x80
100x100
120x120
150x150
200x200
250x250
325x325
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
94
105
120
145
165
200
230
24
38
50
70
84
110
140
175
210
250
45
50
60
70
80
100
125
150
180
200
230
265
310
SEPARATION POTENTIAL, IN
D16
D50
D84
1678
839
501
370
271
227
172
136
114
102
72
59
43
1011
662
457
357
301
261
218
175
160
143
116
104
84
72
508
317
234
171
131
107
86
66
57
51
270
216
184
158
145
112
92
78
62
52
47
39
35
1727
864
516
381
279
234
177
140
117
105
74
62
44
1041
681
470
368
310
269
224
180
165
147
119
107
86
74
715
429
324
234
181
151
118
95
81
72
353
274
240
208
186
142
120
107
85
69
60
50
45
1777
889
531
392
287
241
182
144
120
108
76
63
45
1071
700
483
379
319
277
230
185
170
151
122
110
88
76
824
528
390
274
223
185
143
113
100
85
379
301
267
221
192
154
131
117
93
77
69
55
51
CONDUCTANCE
IN KD/MM
49.68
15.93
8.32
4.89
2.88
2.40
1.91
1.44
1.24
1.39
0.68
0.78
0.44
0.93
24.33
11.63
7.94
5.60
5.25
3.88
2.84
2.77
2.51
2.03
1.86
1.49
1.30
20.69
11.86
6.77
4.73
3.62
3.00
2.38
1.86
1.67
1.45
9.81
7.66
5.75
5.01
4.08
3.00
2.53
2.15
1.82
1.55
1.27
0.96
0.82
MOTION
DECKS
SCREENS/
DECK
SCREEN
ANGLE
DECK TYPE
SCREEN
TYPE
ATL-1000
1/3
O/F
H/P
10.8/25
ATL-CS
C/L
1/1/3
F/F/A
O/U/F
ATL-CS/LP
C/L
1/1/3
F/F/A
LCM-2D
LCM-2D/CS
C/L
LM-3
Tandem
Standard
ATL-1200
Motion
Screens/deck
Screen Angle
Deck Type
WEIR
HEIGHT
4.2
43
93x71x64
4,300
25
4.2
40
93x71x49
4,100
H/H/P
20/20/25
B/G
4.9/4.2
79
93x77x87
8,000
O/U/F
H/H/P
20/20/25
B/G
4.9/4.2
67
93x77x74
7,750
33.7
2.5-6.4
52
120x69x62
5,200
Dewatering deck
(patent pending)
1/1/3
F/F/A
O/U/F
H/H/P
20/20/33.7
B/C
4.9/2.5-6.4
70
120x80x80
9,385
33.7
32
141x69x62
5,000
U/U
20/20
4.9
38
79x72x52
2,865
20
36.25
79x64x44
1,800
Screen Type
Screen Area
Vibrator
G-Force
DIMENSIONS WEIGHT,
LXWXH
LBS
COMMENTS
G-FORCE
SCREEN
VIBRATOR
AREA, SQ FT
D.3
D.4
25
4.2
40
115x77x93
7,500
ATL-2800
25
4.2
40
122x77x92
7,500
LCM-2D
MC
33.7
2.5-6.4
52
130x80x90
6,335
MOTION
DECKS
SCREENS/
DECK
SCREEN
ANGLE
DECK TYPE
SCREEN
TYPE
SCREEN
AREA, SQ FT VIBRATOR
G-FORCE
WEIR
HEIGHT
DIMENSIONS WEIGHT,
LXWXH
LBS
ATL-Dryer
25
4.2
N.A.
93x77x49
7,500
SDW-Dryer
33.3
4.2-7.0
N.A.
134x78x66
8,300
Motion
Screens/deck
Screen Angle
Deck Type
Screen Type
Screen Area
Vibrator
G-Force
COMMENTS
includes liquid recovery
tank and pump
includes liquid recovery
tank and pump
Brandt/EPI Degassers
NOMINAL FLOW, VACUUM RANGE
GPM
INCHES HG
MODEL
TYPE
DG-5
VJ
500
DG-10
VJ
1,000
Type
BAFFLE AREA,
SQ. IN
DIMENSIONS,
LXWXH
WEIGHT, LBS
COMMENTS
7-20 - 29 max
9,956
88x54x62
2,390
7-20 - 29 max
32,060
100x60-x77
3,900
Drive
E = electric, H = hydraulic
Brandt/EPI Hydrocyclones
MODEL
DIAMETER,
INLET TYPE
CONSTRUCTION
UNDERFLOW
Desander
12.2
Circular involute
Poly
3.9
Rectangular
involute
Poly w/ ceramic
liner
Desilter
INCHES
ADJUSTMENT
FEET
HEAD
FLOW RATE,
75
495
75
66
GPM
COMMENTS
D.5
D.6
18x28
Contour
ROTATING
ASSY
CS
CF-1
18x28
Contour
CS
1600-2000
40:1
Fixed/
single lead
1600/654
1650/696
2000/1022
SC-2
18x30
Contour
CS
1350-2250
59:1
Fixed/
double lead
1350/466
2250/1294
CF-2
24x38
Contour
CS
1400-2000
80:1
Fixed/
single lead
1400/668
2000/1363
SC-4
24x40
Contour
CS
1150-1950
59:1
Fixed/
double lead
HS3400
14x49.5
Contour
SS
E
H
1750-4000
1750-4000
52:1
Variable
Fixed/
single lead
Variable/
single lead
SC-35HS
15x48
Contour
SS
E
H
1750-3250
1750-3250
59:1
Variable
HS5200
16x49.5
Contour
SS
1750-4000
Variable
Fixed/
single lead
Variable/
single lead
Variable/
single lead
MODEL
Rotating Assy
BOWL SIZE,
IN
BOWL TYPE
SPEED RANGE,
RPM
1350-2000
GEARBOX
RATIO
80:1
BOWL/CONVEYOR
DIFFERENTIAL
Fixed/
double lead
RPM/
G-FORCE
1350/466
2000/1022
DRIVE
Drive
CAPACITY, MUD
WT/GPM
9.0/150
10.0/70.0
17.0/20
9.0/90
12.0/60
16.0/30
18.0/25
9.0/150
COMMENTS
Barite recovery, viscosity
control 6 TPH (tons per
hour) solids capacity
Barite recovery, viscosity
control 4 TPH (tons per
hour) solids capacity
111x63x61
4,700
116x53x61
4,500
130x66x63
7,500
1150/451
135x62x93
1350/621
1950/1296
1750/609
9.0/160
98x69x46
2400/1145
12.0/75
2900/1672
15.0/20
3500/2435
18.0/10
4000/3181
2000/852
9.0/150
120x61x60
2500/1331
12.0/45
3000/1917
15.0/30
3250/2100
18.0/20
2000/909
9.0/250
95x69x40
2500/1420
3000/2045
3500/2784
4000/3636
4200/4000
E = electric, H = hydraulic
7,200
9.0/175
12.0/60
16.0/30
18.0/25
9.0/250
4,100
6,105
7,720
Example:
Agitators are required for a 10-foot-wide tank, 30 feet long, to maintain
weighting materials in suspension for a 12 lbs/gal mud:
Find the tank width (10 ft) and the recommended corresponding
impeller diameter (36 in) on the graph. Follow a horizontal line from the
impeller diameter to the curve of the given mud weight (12 lbs/gal mud
use the curve on the next higher mud weight). From the intersection of the
mud weight curve and the impeller diameter, locate the nearest vertical
line to the right and note the horsepower at the top of the graph.
This particular application will require a 7.5-hp size Brandt Agitator for
each 10 feet of tank length a total of three 7.5-hp agitators.
D.7