Decanter Centrifuge Working Principle of Kosun Solids Control System

Decanter Centrifuge

Decanter centrifuge of drilling waste is the waste matter generated as a result of the very process of extraction of oil and gas from the earth, popularly known as drilling. This is an extensive and trillion dollar industry with a corresponding and gigantic waste production issue on a global scale. That is why; a new drilling waste management system called drilling waste management was introduced.

Decanter Centrifuge
Decanter Centrifuge

It consists of a series of processes from collection, management and containment of waste to subsequent treatment and disposal. Over the years, many techniques and methods were introduced for an efficient management of drilling waste. Also quite recently we saw more advancement and mechanization being brought into the whole process.

As a result of this, now we have instruments like decanter centrifuge to aid to the separation and handling of drilling waste. So let’s understand more about them and their mode of operation.

As the name suggest, the equipment uses decanter centrifuge forces to aid to the separation of desired and waste matters taking advantage of their differences in densities and other properties.

The mixed substance obtained from extraction is made to enter a disc or cone shaped structure that is rotated at a suitable speed. Because of the difference in natures of the unwanted and desired quantities, they are separated by combined effect of centrifugal and gravitational forces.

The fuel which is separated drops through the hole at the centre of the structure and the waste remaining in it is properly contained. For better gathering or collection of these waste matters, the walls of the discs are generally made with interspaces or slot like cavities.

The drilling waste progresses towards the walls of the disc and moves into a containment tank through the interspaces provided. As the machine consists of several moving parts, all components are to be kept smooth and clean to ensure optimum efficiency.

Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge Operation and Maintenance

Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge

Economic configuration decanter centrifuge  is the final phase equipment for the drilling solid control system. Keeping the equipment up and running all the time without any downtime will go a long way in determining the overall operational performance of the drilling project.

While it is important to make sure the equipment is kept in good condition and well maintained, making sure that it is being operated in right manner is equally important. A qualified and well trained operator will know the intricacies of operating the equipment and even know to spot the signs to raise the alarm.

Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge
Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge

Decanter centrifuge is high cost equipment. It is imperative that it is maintained well, after all the economy of overall project will largely depend on such wise measures only.
Here we are outlining a few tips with respect to operation and maintenance of decanter centrifuges :
1. Preparing for start-up: Before starting the centrifuge check all electric control system and related components. Test the rotating belt manually for any glitch. Inspect the overall panel for any alarming signs.
2. Start the equipment: Most of the modern horizontal decanter centrifuge comes with touch panel now that have fairly user friendly command buttons. Using the touch panel, release relevant commands to bring the equipment to start.
3. Preventive procedure: Once you are done setting up the system, do not directly start feeding the system, let it run for 5 minutes, add water to clean the stuck or dried material.
4. Shutting down the equipment: Do not cut off the power all at once and bring the machine to a halt. Gradually slow down the feed and let the machine process the remaining material till it lasts. Repeat the washing and cleaning procedure.

Make sure that no manual handling is done while machine is operational as it may be very risky.

Decanter Centrifuges of Related Common Challenges

Decanter Centrifuges

Decanter Centrifuges are used in separating suspension of solids phase with particle ≥2μm in diameter for drilling mud and fluids handling.

All machineries will have its own set of requirements to give its user the desired performance and durability and off course the much desired economy. After all “Return on investment” is the mantra that investors care to heed about.

Decanter Centrifuges
Decanter Centrifuges

When it comes to solid control equipments, this is no exception. A few careful measures go a long way to ensure that the operators will find the equipment reciprocating their care for them.
The first and foremost one in this aspect is the preventive maintenance of the equipment. The decanter centrifuge as such is low maintenance equipment and has a high capacity of handling the drilling waste treatment , but that should not mean for the operators to simply overlook the state of operation of the equipment.

A very common mistake committed by the operators is the continuous use of equipment without giving it rest and inspection for any wear. The moment any component is spotted showing any signs of wear, operators should consider fixing it, without just pushing it for further use, however small. As it goes with machinery, that all components work in sync, so even a worn out rubber could cause the breakdown of entire equipment. So watch out for any kind of wear or damage.

Another challenge faced by drilling industry in context of economic configuration decanter centrifugeis the lack of trained personnel or operators. With evolving technologies, decanter centrifuges have been made much more automated and need little operational attention. However, to maneuver the equipment to achieve the desired output, need of staffing appropriate personnel is of paramount importance.  With ever stringent health and safety regulations, rig operators struggle with their staffing needs.

The high turnover further adds to the problem. Finding the qualified and experienced operators and investing time in resources in training them to bring the up to speed is a very big challenge for project managers.

Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge by Kosun

Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge

Economic configuration decanter centrifuge can perform well for a longer period if timely operation and maintenance of the device is carried out.

Economic configuration decanter centrifuge is a vital machine utilized in major industries like the oil, food, waste-water treatment and chemical industry. Hence the engineer has to have a good knowledge about the handling and maintenance of the machine.

Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge
Economic Configuration Decanter Centrifuge

The operation of the Economic Configuration decanter centrifuge is as follows:
•    Prior to starting the machine the safety protective guards should be installed. When the machine is running, don’t open the guards.
•    Don’t touch the rotating parts or moving parts when the decanter centrifuge is in operation.
•    Stopping the machine during its operation is also forbidden.
•    Only in case of any unusual noise or vibration, the decanter centrifuge should be stopped and troubleshoot.
•    The rotating speed of the decanter centrifuge is mentioned in the instructions. Running the same more than the given active speed is forbidden.
•    The device should be plugged or unplugged only when the power is cut-off.

The maintenance of the decanter centrifuge is as follows:
•    For maintaining the decanter centrifuge for a long time the machine should not be stopped or adjusted when the power is on and the bowl is still rotating. It should be done only on stopping of it completely.

•    To open the cover of the collecting box, it should be opened suitably so that the cover should not close suddenly which can injure the operator.
•    The decanter centrifuge operators are required to read user manual and other related data, should have working knowledge and the requirement of operations of the machine. The operator should adhere strictly to the handling instruction of the machine.
•    Maintenance as the schedules can decreases the downtime thereby increases the production capacity.

What are the Principles of Decanter Centrifuge of Kosun

Decanter Centrifuge

Decanter centrifuge separates the solid material mixed with some liquids that contaminates the water and converts the mud into sludge. It is an important component utilized in petrochemical, food processing and oil industries. These industries will not be able to function in the absence of Centrifuge. The centrifugal force is created by the decanter centrifuge and creates the centrifugal force by rotation.

Operational & Functional Principles of decanter centrifuge:
•    The principle of decanter centrifuge is based on the theory of gravitational separation. A component with high density settles at the bottom and the component with lesser density suspends upwards.

decanter centrifuge
decanter centrifuge

 

The decanter centrifuges increases the rate at which the component settles increases due to the use of continuous rotation. This force is from 1000 to 4000 times than the normal gravitational force. This method of separation gives fast results.
Example: When a glass is filled with mud and water, after few minutes the mud will settle at the base of the glass due to its weight. Since the mud is settled at the base become solid, the water comes upward that creates a separation between the mud and water mixture.

This method of separation by rotation can be compared to that of rides of amusement parks. In the same way the decanter centrifuges basically a bowl tube rotates at a very high speed. The bowl tube has an internal conveyor that moves at different velocity but in the same direction.

The decanter centrifuge is ideal equipment for treating waste water. There are various industries where these types of machines are vital.

The 2-phase separation method is used for Waste water treatment, sludge de-watering, and also food processing.

The 3-phase separation process separates two liquids like water and oil, which have different densities and cannot be mixed together, are separated. This 3-phase separation produces edible oil, bio-diesel and oil sludge.

Decanter Centrifuge – Operation and Maintenance| Kosun Solid Control

Decanter Centrifuge

Decanter centrifuge is one of solid control equipment that  uses centrifugal force to aid to the separation of waste matter.

Drilling operations refers to the very process of extracting oil and gas from the earth for various commercial and industrial purposes. The industry is worth trillions of dollars today and is thus a very important part of any country’s development. In the past few decades, the demand for the products like gas and oil went up significantly. This led to a corresponding increase in the drilling activities all across the globe.

Like any other industrial activity, drilling too is bound to have some sort of waste produced as byproduct. This is termed as drilling waste and the term gained much popularity with the rising issues it caused to the environment. This in turn led to another class of waste management being introduced, known as drilling waste management. It involves several processes from maintenance, management and containment to subsequent handling and disposal of drilling waste promising better sustainability and conservation of environment.

decanter centrifuge
decanter centrifuge

In the various processes involves with drilling waste management , one important step is called waste maintenance. This was earlier done with conventional processes like settling and involves separation of the unwanted matter from the desired part and further storage and transportation. However, with advancements in technology and machinery, today the whole process id mechanized. The most popular equipment dedicated for the process is named decanter centrifuge .

As the name suggests, the machine uses centrifugal force to aid to the separation of waste matter. The machinery has a complicated design but with a very basic and simple concept. The mixed substance obtained directly from extraction is allowed to flow to a disc shaped structure. The disc is then rotated. This rotation calls the centrifugal and gravitational forces into action which facilitates the separation of drilling waste from the fuel. The fuel passes through the hole at the centre of the disk and the waste remaining in the structure is passed on for containment.

The equipment consists of moving parts and hence should be cleaned and kept smooth as possible to avoid reduction in efficiency. Also make sure to cut off the power to the machinery if it is to be dismantled for some purposes.