Drilling fluids solids control equipment is drilling equipment to control or separate the undesirable and even harmful solids mixed in drilling fluids. The separation of harmful solids from drilling fluids will contribute to better mud property and meet the increased demand on drilling efficiency by the scientific application and arrangement of solids control equipment. To form reasonable and effective workflow of solids control equipment is the key to achieve solids control goal.

The new type drilling fluids system adopts five stage of solids control, following is the proper workflow of solids control technology.

The first solids control equipment mainly removes the large particles. The drilling fluids, pumped out of drilling hole containing large cuttings, will flow into shale shaker through connecting pipes. The removal of particles with diameter above 74μm in shale shaker marks the achievement of first stage of solids control.
 

The second stage of solids control equipment is drilling mud vacuum degasser used to remove harmful gas gathered in drilling fluids during normal operation. The vacuum degasser is the dedicated degasser equipment specialized in immediate and effective removal of undesirable gas which will change mud density and exert security hazard such as blowout and well fall. The treated solid particles will flow into the third solids control equipment where the sand with diameter from 44 to 74μm will be removed. Desander plays its part in this stage.

The fouth solids control equipment is oilfield desilter. In this case, the solid particles with diameter ranging from 15 to 44μm are to be separated from the rest and will go through further treatment in decanter centrifuge. It is worth noticing that the desander and desilter can be combined together to form a more effective solids control equipment called drilling fluid mud cleaner.

The fifth or the final solids control equipment is drilling decanter centrifuge. After being treated by the mentioned solids control equipment, the drilling fluids contains fine solids which the former equipment has failed to remove and which will be treated by decanter centrifuge. With a high centrifugal force and high end technology, decanter centrifuge is highly effective in the separation of fine particles.

The forementioned five solids control equipment are mainly used in complex and demanding drilling conditions, however, the drillers can select one or part of the mentioned equipment depending the actual drilling operation.