Separating solids from liquids plays a key role in oil drilling mud recycling. Decanter centrifugal separator from GN Solids Control plays this crucial function exceptionally well. The working performance is strongly related with the working principle. So how it works?

In order to understand this, we need to define what is decanter centrifugal separator.  Decanter centrifugal separator also can be named short as Decanter centrifuge or centrifuge. The most common model is vertical, horizontal and conveyor centrifuges. The principle behind a decanter centrifuge is based on the theory of gravitational separation. For example, if you fill a glass with a mixture of mud and water, over time the weight of the mud will cause it to settle down at the base of the glass. With the mud congealed at the bottom, the water will be forced upwards, creating a clear separation between the two. However, unlike the glass mixture, the process is expedited through the use of continuous rotation. In fact, rotation provides anywhere from 1000 to 4000 times the normal gravitational force, reducing the time required for separation from hours to seconds.

Breif steps of solids liquid separation:

Step 1: The slurry is inserted into the centrifuge through a connecting pipe and onto a conveyor.

Step 2: Utilizing an internal feed compartment, the conveyor ushers the slurry through a nozzle into the bowl area.

Step 3: The bowl rotates at high speeds to induce gravitational forces.

Step 4: High speed rotation separates the solid material from the liquid in a matter of seconds.

Step 5: The conveyor delivers the solid material upwards where it is discharged through a nozzle.

Step 6: The solid material removed, the purified liquid is released from a separate output.

The centrifuge is ideal for drilling mud clarification. During oil drilling period, we need to use centrifuge to recycle the barite or bentonite from the drilling mud and reuse it to save cost. After the drilling completion, we need to use centrifuge to deal with the drilling sludge in a further way to protect environment.