What are the different types of mud gas separators?
There are two common types of mud gas separators.
1. Sealed-bottom Type
The degassing tank is sealed at the bottom. Drilling fluid returns to the recirculation tank via a U-shaped pipe. To control the drilling fluid level in the degassing tank, you can increase or decrease the height of the U-shaped pipe.
2. Open-bottom Type
The separator tank has no bottom, with the lower portion semi-submerged in the drilling fluid. The depth of the bottom submerged controls the liquid level in the tank. People abroad commonly call this type of separator “the poor child,” reflecting its simplicity.
The sealed-bottom type is a simple and reliable gas-liquid separator. Because the liquid level in the recirculation tank affects its drilling fluid column’s height, the open-bottom type has less reliability.
Regardless of which type, upon entering the degassing tank, gas-invaded drilling fluid first impacts a wear-resistant steel plate, which reduces the drilling fluid flow rate and prevents wear on the separator cylinder. The drilling fluid then falls onto a series of specially designed internal baffles, flowing downward, creating turbulent flow that separates the gas from the drilling fluid. Free gas is discharged through the gas outlet at the top of the tank, while drilling fluid is discharged into the circulation tank.
The separator’s operating pressure equals the frictional resistance of the free gas that the discharge pipe discharges. The separator always maintains a certain liquid level (drilling fluid column height). If this frictional resistance exceeds the drilling fluid column’s hydrostatic pressure within the separator, a “short circuit” occurs, and the separator discharges unseparated gas-invaded drilling fluid directly into the drilling fluid circulation tank. A large amount of gas (a peak) in the gas-invaded drilling fluid typically causes a “short circuit” in the separator. This indicates insufficient separator processing capacity.
Xi’an HL Petroleum Equipment manufactures séparateurs de gaz de boue with a comprehensive range of models. We welcome your inquiries. Large customers can contact us for a quote.
