What Does
Slurry Separation Mean?
Slurry separation is the process of removing soil cutting from the slurry mix that is circulated for the purpose of lubrication. For this purpose slurry treatment plants or mud recycling systems are used based on the method used for drilling. In trenchless technology, the lubricant used during the drilling process also acts as a vehicle for the removal excavated earth or soil cuttings. As the slurry is transported back the separation chamber removes the solid particles and returns the processed slurry back into the system to be recycled.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Slurry Separation
The mud separation system processes the mud from the cuttings by first allowing it to pass through a shale shaker that removes bigger sized particles. Sometimes a shale shaker with multiple layers is used to achieve gradation of particles. The finer particles are allowed to pass into the sedimentation tank. Hydrocyclone separation involves the use of centrifugal force at high speed, spirally extruding suspended particles in the slurry through the overflow outlet, by the negative pressure produced by spinning. The heavier particles pass through the underflow outlet as they fall by gravity. This cleaning process separates the disposable solid particles from the slurry and makes the drilling fluid reusable. Proper disposal of cutting and remaining slurry and drilling fluid as per EPA norms is mandatory.