Cleaning Systems

Published: August 31, 2017 | Last updated: July 5, 2023

What Does Cleaning Systems Mean?

Cleaning systems are an integral part of the boring machines used in trenchless construction. Drilling a hole in the ground requires chemicals like bentonite to be used as drilling fluid. When the excavated material is passed out of the borehole, it contains cuttings mixed with mud and drilling fluid. The cleaning system removes the disposable solids from the slurry and makes the drilling fluid reusable. Disposing excavated cuttings without cleaning can adversely affect the environment and is an offense.

Trenchlesspedia Explains Cleaning Systems

The cleaning systems used in directional drilling and other boring machines consist of different equipment that work together to remove the cuttings from the slurry. It is a closed loop system that allows for the slurry to be recycled.

Some of the equipment used within cleaning systems include – conveyors to move the cuttings out, pumps for transporting the cuttings to the surface, a mixing chamber, a hydrocyclone desilter or desander, centrifuges, mud cleaners, a sand trap, etc. Cuttings are conveyed into a vertical cutting dryer or shaker that separate solids and liquids. The processed cuttings can be safely disposed in the environment. The separated fluid is then processed in a decanter centrifuge and stored in storage tanks to be used again.

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