The purpose of the decanter centrifuge http://www.kosun.us/solids-control-equipment/decanter-centrifuge.html as applied to a weighted water-base drilling mud is to control viscosity. This is accomplished by concentrating the colloidal-size and clay-size solids fraction into the effluent (liquid) steam and disposing of this phase. The economic justification of using the centrifuge on this type of system is the simultaneous return of weight material. Using a centrifuge on weighted water-based muds eliminates the expense of throwing away (jetting) whole mud to control viscosity. Water dilution and excess waste volume are minimized.
Drilling decanter centrifuge separation principle is to use high-speed rotating roller driven into the mud in the high speed rotating drum, mud was dumped into the wall to form a liquid circle, solid phased particles of liquid ring get greater than its own gravity for undreds or even thousands of times the effect of centrifugal force, will overcome the resistance of the slurry viscosity to the roller on the inner wall of rapid subsidence formed solid layer, liquid forming liquid layer.
The high-speed decanter centrifuge separation factor is about 1200 ~ 2100, the separation point is 2 ~ 5 μ m, used to remove the harmful solid phase, control the mud viscosity, high-speed centrifuge discharge tank, liquid back into the circulatory system, at present our company in Mongolia drilling crew have high-speed centrifuge. The medium-speed decanter centrifuge separation factor of about 800, 5 ~ 7 μm, used to remove harmful solid phase of mud, control mud weight and viscosity, this is the drilling crew most used centrifuge resently. The low speed decanter centrifuge also called "Barite Recovery of Decanter Centrifuge", the separation factors is 500 ~ 700,for low density of solid phase, the separation point is 6 ~ 10μm. For high density solid phase, the separation point for 4~ 7 μm, the decanting centrifuge is mainly used for recycling barite.
A well known fact, drilling mud is the blood of oil drilling system, and it is very precious. The drilling mud solids control system can effectively separate the large drilling cuttings, barite and other large solid particles contained in the drilling mud returned to the ground from well. The treated drilling mud can be used repeatedly. The role of drilling mud solids control is to treat and recycle the drilling mud returned to the ground from well with solids control system or some solids control equipment, so as to reduce the drilling cost and protect environment.