Vacuum degasser is also called mud/gas separator sometimes. Mud/gas separators ( Degasser ) is the first units of solids control equipment arranged to treat drilling mud. As such, they process all of the drilling mud from the flow line before the mud reaches the primary shale shakers. The units have no moving parts and rely on the density difference between the gas and the mud for removal. The process is simple, yet very effective for well drilling fluids processing system.

Working Principle of Drilling Fluids Vacuum Degasser

Vacuum degasser ranks as the second stage of solids control system. The drilling mud that are separated by the first stage device - shale shaker flows into the settling compartment of the mud tank. The drill cuttings will settle into the settling pit, and the drilling fluids will flow over and into the second compartment. A sand pump will be used to pump the drilling mud from the second compartment up to the vacuum degasser. The drilling mud goes into the vacuum tank through the feeding pipe, and rotates by the rotor of the degasser, by the effect of centrifugal force, the drilling fluids will be thrown to the inner wall of the vacuum tank, and the gases that migrate into the mud will be separated from the mud. Vacuum layer will be generated by the vacuum pump that are mounted on the skid of degasser, so the gases that are separated will be pumped out to the water-gas separator by the vacuum pump and be discharged through the relief line pipe and finally be flared by the electrical ignition device at a place that are 60 to 80 meters away from the drilling rig.
 

Maintenance of the Drilling Fluids Vacuum Degasser

1. Proportion of water and gas should be noticed during adjustment so as to ensure unobstructed dewatering. There should not be waterlogging in the secondary cooler, otherwise there will be scale formation in the cooler after long-time operation, which will exert some influence on the normal operation of the vacuum degasser.

2. Timely dredging for air inlet, water outlet as well as draining line is necessary. Dramatic decline of the vacuum degree and significant deterioration of the decarburization may result from air leakage of the system. At this time, the operator should switch to the alternate tower in a timely manner and find the leaking source by means of water-filling pressure test so as to prevent the problem from further deterioration. Moreover, normal liquid level of the vacuum degasser should be maintained in order to not result in overflow phenomena.