TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY (THANLYIN) 1

DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING

SOLIDS CONTROL EQUIPMENT

U Myint Than
Assistant Lecturer
Outlines of Presentation 2

 Introduction
 Aim and Objectives
 Solids Classifications
 Solids Removal Efficiency
 Shale Shaker
 Hydrocyclones
 Centrifuges
 Conclusion
 Reference
Introduction 3

 Solids control equipment is utilized on the rig to remove

undesirable solids from the drilling fluid system. There are
many types of solids control equipment, but main types of
solids control equipment, in order of flow from the bell
nipple, are shale shaker, hydrocyclones and centrifuges.
Additional components that can be added to the process
flow, such as flocculation systems, will enhances solids
removal efficiency (SRE) and in turn, improve the quality
of the drilling fluid.
Aim and Objectives 4

 To remove drilled solids from the mud system by using

solids control equipment

 To know solids classification and solids removal efficiency

 To understand the function of shale shaker performance
 To comprehend the purpose of hydrocyclones and
centrifuges setup
Solids Classification 5
Table: Solids Classifications
Category Size (m) Types of Particles Solids Control
Equipment

Colloidal <2 Bentonite, Clays, Ultra-fine N/A

drilled solids

Silt 2-74 Barite, Silt, Fine drilled solids Desilter,

Centrifuge

Sand 74-2,000 Sand, Drilled solids Shale Shaker,

Desander

Gravel >2,000 Drilled solids, Gravel, Cobble Shale Shaker

Solids Removal Efficiency 6


  SRE depends on a number of factors such as equipment
type and equipment operating parameters.
 The practical limit of SRE, WBM is approximately 85%
and NAF is possible 90% or higher.
 The optimum SRE can be calculated by using the
following formula:
100*
Where; = Solids concentration (volume fraction)
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Fig: Drilling Fluids Circulating System

Shale Shaker 8

 Shale shaker performance is a function of the following:

 Vibration pattern and dynamics
 Deck size and configuration
 Shaker screen characteristics
 Mud rheology
 Solids loading rate
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Fig: Shale Shaker Fig: Mesh

Hydrocyclones 10

 Adjust plumbing to remove unnecessary elbows, tees and

valves
 Check centrifugal pump/impeller for system compatibility
and wear
 Remove cones until correct head pressure is achieved (be
sure to plug opening)
 Check centrifugal pump/impeller for proper impeller
sizing
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Fig: Hydrocyclones Process

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Fig: Desander Fig: Desilter

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Centrifuges 14

 Some common problems are, but not limited to the following;

 Bearing failure
 Discharge plugging/ by passing
 Wear of wetted parts (feed tube, solid discharge inserts, flight
strips)
 Excess vibration
 Scroll flight wear
 Bowl/scroll fusion (pack-off)
 Rolling plug
 Wear of wetted parts
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Fig: Centrifuge
Conclusion 16

 The formation being drilled and the drilling fluid used

often dictate the type of solids control equipment needed
to remove drilled solids from the fluid, in turn,
maximizing SRE.
Reference 17

 Drilling & Completions, Fluids & Waste Management Team. Energy

Technology Company, Chevron. November 2009. Drilling Fluids
Handbook
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