What Does
Drilling Fluid Recovery Unit Mean?
A drilling fluid recovery unit is a system for control and disposal of solids used in slurry mixtures in the trenchless construction industry. Various technologies are used to deal with drilling fluid so that it may be removed or recycled. The management of drilling fluid can be very expensive. Perhaps, the greatest focus of any drilling fluid recovery system is on protecting the environment.
Trenchlesspedia Explains Drilling Fluid Recovery Unit
Drilling and trenchless construction operators have discovered the many uses and benefits of drilling fluids. They are used to remove cuttings from a borehole, lubricate and cool equipment and apply pressure to the tunnel face. Once the fluid is used, however, it must be disposed of properly.
Drilling operators, especially in the oil and gas industry, may use shale shakers to separate solids from the drilling mud. Once removed, the solids are processed as waste. In a closed system, the drilling fluid can be recycled and re-used in ongoing operations.
Solids control serves to maintain fluid integrity and reduce costs. A mud cleaner, also known as a desilter unit, may also be used in the drilling fluid recovery unit. It uses something called a hydrocyclone to further process the solid-liquid mixture. A centrifuge running at 2000-4000 rpm can be used to process the fluid further, extracting fine and ultra-fine solids from the mixture. A submersible pump, known as a pit pump, is used in drilling fluid reclamation to circulate the fluid and return it for solids management.