# Why so many drilling companies rely on 

# FLOTTWEG DECANTERS for drilling mud control

### 2 Modern drilling muds have to fulfill multiple functions. The drilling mud has to cool and lubricate the drill bit and carry away the bits of rock cut by it. The hydrostatic pressure in the bore hole caused by the weight of the drilling mud will overcome most formation pressure associated with water, oil or gas pressure. Drilling muds are based on water, oil or polymer with acomposition of various additives such as stabilizers, flocculents, corrosion inhibitors,defoamers, surfactants, detergents, lubricants and more. 

# Modern drilling muds are complex systems

Benefits of drilling mud separation Drilling Mud Recovery Plant



# Cost savings by drilling mud separation

• Reduced amount of mud by

closed system

• Maintenance cost reduction

of up to 60 % for equipment • Reduced wear, especially for mud pumps and drill bits • Reduced disposal cost

• Extended mud lifetime Modern drilling mud systems form a closed loop with zero liquid discharge. Therefore everything brought into the mud by the drilling process has to be separated. While coarse particles are separated by shakers and hydro-cyclones, fine solids are separated by means of decanters.

### 3 

# Special features of the FLOTTWEG DECANTERS

FLOTTWEG is one of the world’s leading companies in separation technology. For 30 years FLOTTWEG DECANTERS have been field proven in thedrilling industry for mud separation. The FLOTTWEG machinesare also available as skidmounted systems. FLOTTWEG is the m ost experienced manufacturer of decanters equipped with hydraulic drive systems. All FLOTTWEG DECANTERS for drilling mud separation can be equipped with hydraulic drive of bowl and conveyor scroll for continuous adjustment of bowl speed and differential speed, even during operation.
• Centrifugal force up

to 4000 G’s For separation of fine solids in the range of 5–7 microns
• Hydraulic drive Available for bowl and conveyor scroll enables optimum setting thus impurities are separated while valuable components such as barite, clay, etc. are retained in the mud. About 95 % of the reusable barite (>20 microns) are recovered.
• FLOTTWEG’s unique

wear protection All parts exposed to wear are protected by special metal hard facing, ceramic wear bushes, inserts, etc. Bushes and inserts are easily exchangeable, even under field conditions.
• Field proven Several hundreds of FLOTTWEG DECANTERS are in service in the drilling industry worldwide.
• ISO certifiedFLOTTWEG is ISO 9001 certified and manufactures all its products in compliance with all current technical standards.

### Flottweg Decanter Z4E-4 Flottweg Decanter Z5E-4 Flottweg Decanter Z73-4 Bowl diameter 16” (420 mm) 21” (530 mm) 29” (730 mm) Bowl speed* 500 – 4 000 rpm 500 – 3 000 rpm 500 –2 600 rpm Differential 1 – 112 rpm 1 – 44 rpm 1 – 22 rpm speed* Material of All product wetted parts are made of high quality stainless steel construction (AISI 316 and superior)
Overall 117” x 40” x 47” 140” x 72” x 42” 184” x 95” x 55” dimensions* (2 980 x 1 000 x 1 200 mm) (3 540 x 1 820 x 1 060 mm) (4 675 x 2 400 x 1 400 mm) (L x W x H) Gross weight* 5 620 lb (2 550 kg) 9 590 lb (6 500 kg) 25 570 lb (11 600 kg) Motor size 50 hp (37 kW) 75 hp (55 kW) 122+61 hp (90+45 kW) Motor size 30 hp (22 kW) 50 hp (37 kW) 122 hp (90 kW) with gear drive Capacity** 130 gpm (30 m 3

### /h) 220 gpm (50 m 3

### /h) 440 gpm (100 m 3 

### /h) Optional Flottweg decanters are available with gear drive and hydraulic drive of bowl and / or scroll Explosion proof versions available for: Class I, Division 2, Group D or ATEX 95 (for Europe)

Representative:TI – PR – 0004 T – 10 1 04 / 09 

## Technical data 

# FLOTTWEG DECANTERS for drilling mud separation

Hundreds of FLOTTWEG DECANTERS and turn-key systems have been working most successfully in the drilling industry for more than 30 years all over the world. • Drilling mud control • Separation of fine drill cuttings • Barite recovery systems Cost saving by: • Longer lifetime of the mud • Lower mud quantity required • Reduced maintenance cost



### * figures for version with hydraulic drive ** to be understood as guidelines, actual capacity depends on the composition of the mud 

### FLOTTWEG productsare designed and manufactured in GERMANY!