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 by the inner spiral reporting to the overflow. Solids which otherwise would be separated are forced into the overflow stream and returned to the mud system. This type of discharge can also lead to plugged cones and much higher cyclone wear. While a spraying...
Conversion Constants and Formulas
Specific Gravity SG 100' Column of Water Exerts Hydrostatic sp ppg pcf pounds cubic feet 16.02 kg m3 ppb pounds barrel 2.85 kg m3 kPa m
Installation 1
When installing a desander, follow these general recommendations Size the desander to process 110-125 of the total mud circulation rate. 90 Mesh Screen Included for Comparison Keep all lines as short and straight as possible with a minimum of pipe fittings. This will reduce loss of head on the feed line and minimize backpressure on the overflow discharge line. Do not reduce the diameter of the overflow line from that of the overflow discharge manifold. Direct the overflow line downward into the...
Hydrocyclone Cut Point
Particle separation in cyclones can vary considerably depending on such factors as feed head, mud weight, percent solids, and properties of the liquid phase of the mud. Generally speaking, increasing any of these factors will shift the cut point curve to the right, increasing the size of solids actually separated by the cyclone. By itself, the cut point does not determine a cyclone's overall efficiency because it ignores the liquid loss rate. The amount of fluid in the cone underflow is...
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...
Mud Agitators
Brandt EPI MA Series mechanical agitators are available from 3 HP to 25 HP, with flat or canted impeller blades for complete mixing action. Their low profile minimizes headroom requirements and provides stability and safety. Brandt EPI agitators use a single-reduction, worm worm gear drive for higher efficiency, dependable service, and smooth vibration-free operation. The Agitator Sizing Chart for Drilling Muds, another Brandt EPI innovation, simplifies proper agitator sizing and selection, and...
Pinnacle Threedimensional 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 2-3 mesh sizes finer The increased usable screen area of Pinnacle screens is...
Threedimensional 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 usable screen area of a screen panel by corrugating the screen surface, similar to the surface of a...
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. LIQUID and FINE-SOLIDS DISCHARGE CHUTE LIQUID and...
Hydrocyclones
Hydrocyclones also referred to as cyclones or cones are simple mechanical devices, without moving parts, designed to speed up the settling process. Feed energy is transformed into centrifugal force inside the cyclone to accelerate particle settling in accordance with Stoke's Law. In essence, a cyclone is a miniature settling pit which allows very rapid settling of solids under controlled conditions. Hydrocyclones are important in solids control systems because of their ability to efficiently...
Dewatering Units
Brandt EPI offers several models of dewatering units, from simple, skid-mounted metering pump and tank modules, to the DWU-250 Dewatering Unit. The DWU-250 is a self-contained, portable system that includes all mixing and polymer aging tanks, metering pumps, piping and connection points, controls, and quality check points in a modular, weatherized container enclosure. The DWU-250 is used with one or more decanting centrifuges as part of the Chemically-Enhanced Dewatering process. The climatized...
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...
Fine Screen Shakers
The fine screen shaker is the more complex and versatile of the two types of shale shakers. Fine screen shakers remove cuttings and other larger solids from drilling mud, but are designed for greatly improved vibratory efficiency over simple rig shakers. They are constructed to vibrate in such a way that they can use screens as fine as 150-200 mesh and still give reasonable screen life. They are versatile pieces of equipment and can operate on all types of mud. Figure 3-15 shows the range of...
Blue HexSM Screen Panels
Brandt EPI's exclusive Blue HexSM screen panels are flat there is no crown. This design increases usable screen area and reduces liquid loss along the sides of screen panels. Blue HexSM screen panels eliminate the leading causes of screen failures screen flex, propagation of tears, improper tensioning, blinding and contamination from process fluids. Blue HexSM screens are available in single- and multi-layer configurations. The wirecloth is factory pre-tensioned for longer screen life. These...
Closed Loop Processing Systems
All Brandt EPI equipment can be integrated into systems designed for specific applications. We have over 20 years' experience designing, manufacturing, and operating systems for Closed Loop processing of drilling fluids, dewatering systems, cuttings wash systems, product classification systems, and other waste reduction management systems. Brandt EPI equipment is currently in service throughout the world, providing excellent results in land and offshore installations, remote areas, processing...
ATL Screen Separator
The ATL-1000 combines a tandem screen arrangement and linear motion with a ramp-slope screen deck and flat Blue HexSM screen panels 38-450 mesh to maximize solids separation in a single, compact unit that routinely out-performs larger shakers. The flat no crown screen deck reduces liquid loss down the sides of the screens and maximizes usable screen area. The ramp-slope design allows the feed end screens to be operated downhill with the discharge end screens flat for maximum conveyance of...
Glossary
The liquid film that adheres to the surfaces of solids particles which cannot be removed by draining, even centrifugal force. The mechanical incorporation and dispersion of air into a drilling fluid system. If not selectively controlled, it can be very harmful. See Preferred Term AERATION 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 . The distance from the mean...
Filtration Units
The Brandt EPI Super-Flo filtration system is a DE diatomaceous earth unit designed for clear filtrate quality, faster cycle times, and higher efficiency. The unique tubular elements provide maximum flow in minimum space and the more effective pre-coat and cleaning cycles increase throughput and reduce downtime. The Super-Flo filtration unit is available in electric or diesel pneumatic power models.
Sand Traps
A sand trap Figure 3-19 is a settling tank, usually the first compartment of the first pit in the mud system. A shale shaker would normally sit on top of the sand trap and discharge into it. Sand traps can serve an important role in solids control by protecting downstream equipment against the results of torn shale shaker screens or by-passed shakers by removing large particles which could plug cyclones or other equipment downstream. In normal operation they also play a minor solids removal...
HS High Speed Decanting Centrifuge 1
The HS5200 is a third-generation high-speed decanting centrifuge capable of 4000 Gs and 4200 RPM operation. Based on the proven HS3400 design, the HS5200 has a 16 x 49.5 contour bowl and high torque drive system for higher capacity and sharper separations up to 250 GPM and 8 TPH. The HS5200's all-hydraulic drive system can be easily adjusted for optimum performance in all fluid processing conditions. Main bowl speed is infinitely variable up to the maximum 4200 RPM, and the bowl conveyor...