M-I/SWACO Norge AS
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
Revision: 1 Date: 30.05.2004 Page 1 of 5
8.03 CENTRIFUGES
CONTENTS
BEST PRACTICE FOR RUNNING CENTRIFUGES.....................................................................2
Safety.........................................................................................................................................2
Theory of operation....................................................................................................................2
Adjustments ...............................................................................................................................2
CENTRIFUGE APPLICATIONS....................................................................................................3
Single centrifuges ......................................................................................................................3
Dual centrifuges.........................................................................................................................4
START-UP/RUNNING/SHUT-DOWN............................................................................................4
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M-I/SWACO Norge AS
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
Revision: 1 Date: 30.05.2004 Page 2 of 5
8.03 CENTRIFUGES
Best practice for running centrifuges
Reduction of mud costs, without sacrificing control of essential mud properties, is the
main purpose of, and justification for, using a decanting centrifuge. Although it helps
control undesirable fine solids, the centrifuge s principal function is to minimize
dilution and maintain acceptable properties in the mud system.
Safety Warning!
After shutting down centrifuge it is extremely important to allow the bowl time to stop
rotating before attempting to work on the centrifuge. Due to the bowl s mass, it may
keep rotating for half and hour or more. Do not try to open the shroud while the bowl
is moving, nor insert fingers in any openings (such as solids discharge chute)!
Do not continue to operate if unusual noises or vibrations occur. Lube the bearings
as per manufacturers instructions. If noise/vibration persists, contact service
technician.
Theory of operation
The type of centrifuge most likely to be found offshore is the decanting type.
Decanting-type centrifuges increase the forces causing separation of the solids by
increasing centrifugal force. The decanting centrifuge consists of a conical, horizontal
steel bowl rotating at a high speed, with a screw-shaped conveyor inside. This
conveyor rotates in the same direction as the outer bowl, but at a slightly slower
speed. The high rotating speed forces the solids to the inside all of the bowl and the
conveyor pushes them to the end for discharge. Whole mud is pumped into the
hollow spindle of the conveyor, where it is thrown outward into an annular ring of mud
called the pond. The level of this pond is determined by the height of the liquid-
discharge ports at the large, flanged end of the bowl. The slurry then flows toward the
ports through two channels formed by the conveyor blades, since solids pack against
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M-I/SWACO Norge AS
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
Revision: 1 Date: 30.05.2004 Page 3 of 5
8.03 CENTRIFUGES
the inner wall of the bowl. As these particles pack against the wall, the conveyor
blades push them along toward the small end of the bowl. They emerge from the
pond across the tapered dry area (the beach), where they are stripped of all free
liquid, then conveyed out the discharge ports at the small end of the centrifuge.
Adjustments
Feed rate: The rate at which the feed pump delivers fluid to the centrifuge. The
lighter / less viscous a fluid is, the higher feed rate the centrifuge can handle.
Excessively high feed rates will cause the centrifuge to pack off. The feed pump
should always be started at the slowest setting.
Pool depth: Pool depth is adjusted by changing the weir plates (not shown on
illustration, see specific manual) at the fluid discharge end. The greater the pool
depth, the further up the beach the fluid will reach. As a general rule the deeper the
pool (and shorter beach), the cleaner the fluid discharge. Conversely, a more shallow
pool depth and longer beach will give drier solids discharge.
Bowl speed: primarily affects cut point. The faster the centrifuge spins, the smaller
particles it will remove.
RPM differential: Adjusting the combination of pulleys and belts on the back-drive
motor controls the difference in speed between the bowl and the conveyor. The
larger the differential, the faster the cuttings are transported. This will affect the
dryness of discharged cuttings.
Position of spindle (feed tube): This determines the retention time in the bowl
before discharge. This will affect the amount and size of cuttings removed.
Centrifuge applications
Due to the low capacity of most centrifuges, only a small portion of the circulating
volume is processed, so dilution and treatments can be adjusted to maintain
chemical concentrations and satisfactory properties.
The ways a centrifuge can be used depend on the configuration found on the rig. The
most common configurations and uses are as follows:
Single centrifuge
In weighted drilling fluids, a centrifuge is normally used for barite recovery. The
centrifuge is arranged to separate mostly barite, returning it to the system, while
discarding the liquid phase containing the detrimental fine and colloidal solids. The
discarded liquid volume is replaced with liquid dilution or new volume.
In unweighted drilling fluids, a centrifuge is normally used for liquid recovery. The
centrifuge is arranged to separate and discard silt-size solids and return the liquid
phase to the system.
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M-I/SWACO Norge AS
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
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8.03 CENTRIFUGES
Dual Centrifuges
Dual centrifuges are incorporated in closed-loop systems. The first centrifuge (low
speed) is operated as a barite recovery unit; the second (high speed) processes the
effluent from the barite recovery centrifuge, returning the liquid to the mud system
and discarding the solids. Dual centrifuges are used commonly with oil-base mud
systems.
Start-up / Running / Shut-down procedure
The details will vary depending on the type/manufacturer of centrifuge. There are
some general pointers for start-up:
1. Start back-drive motor.
2. Start main drive motor about 10 seconds after back drive motor. Do not start
motors simultaneously. The sudden power drain may overload the power
source.
3. Allow the centrifuge to obtain operating speed before starting feed pump.
4. Bring mud feed rate up slowly to desired rate.
In use:
- Allow low-speed centrifuge discharge to fill up suction pit for high-speed
centrifuge before starting the high speed. Generally the mud system will be
too viscous for the high-speed centrifuge, so if mud is fed directly from the
active system then the high-speed will become plugged very quickly.
- Do not overfeed ( crowd ) the centrifuge. Symptoms:
Safety torque coupling frequently disengages.
Unit packs off rapidly.
Excessive amount of weight material is observed in overflow.
Wet solids discard from unit.
- Heavily weighted and viscous fluids require lower feed rates and higher
dilution rates. Note, dilution with base-oil can quickly become expensive!
Discuss pro/con with company man before starting this.
- Ensure proper agitation is available at the centrifuge pump suction and in the
barite return tank.
- Remember to turn off the dilution liquid after the centrifuge has been shut
down.
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M-I/SWACO Norge AS
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES
Revision: 1 Date: 30.05.2004 Page 5 of 5
8.03 CENTRIFUGES
Shut-down:
Before shutdown of the centrifuge, it is necessary to flush the bowl with water/base
oil.
1. Shut off the feed pump.
2. Close the mud suction valve.
3. After all conveyable solids have cleared the bowl open the water/base-oil line
that tees into the pumping discharge line.
4. Flush the centrifuge until clean water/base oil is discharged. Close the water-
/oil-valve. Returns must NOT go to active! These should be diverted to drain /
sump.
5. Stop the main drive motor. The back-drive should remain on for
approximately 10 minutes to ensure all cuttings are scrolled out. On some
models this is done automatically.
6. It the machine is likely to be subjected to freezing temperatures, the cover
should be opened and bowl drained by removing the drain plug on the liquid
discharge end. Drain any hoses and pumps that may have liquid trapped in
them.
Doc.ref.: 73-00 / 8.03-1-Centrifuges.doc
