GN Solids – 2 Sets of Drilling Rig Solids Control Systems Exported to Middle East & Europe

In the past 15+ years, GN Solids Control has exported drilling rig solids control systems to more than 70 countries in the world. A drilling rig solids control system, also known as a mud purification system, is an indispensable auxiliary unit for onshore and offshore oil, gas and geothermal drilling operations. Its core mission is to continuously separate harmful solid cuttings from drilling fluid (mud), recover usable mud, minimize raw material waste, protect drilling equipment, lower operational costs and meet international environmental discharge standards. For any drilling rig, the performance of drilling rig system is vital for the drilling rig’s work and service life.

A full standard solids control system follows a multi-stage hierarchical separation logic from coarse particles to ultrafine powder, consisting of shale shakers, vacuum degassers, desanders, desilters, decanter centrifuges, mud agitators, mud guns, mud tanks and matching mixing equipment. Each device undertakes an irreplaceable separation or circulation function.

1. The first-stage processing equipment is the shale shaker, the primary screening device directly receiving mud discharged from the wellhead. Equipped with high-strength vibrating screens of different mesh sizes, it removes large rock cuttings, gravel and coarse drill solids larger than 74 microns through mechanical vibration.

2. After primary screening, mud may contain a large volume of entrained air and gas from underground formations, which leads to reduced mud density, unstable well pressure and risks of blowouts. The vacuum degasser serves as the second-stage purification unit to eliminate gas bubbles inside drilling fluid.

3. Third-stage separation relies on hydrocyclone combinations: desanders and desilters. Driven by centrifugal pumps, desanders process particles ranging from 44 to 74 microns while desilters are used for 20 to 40 microns. These two cyclone devices greatly reduce the solid content of mud before fine separation, lightening the working load of centrifuges.

4. The fourth and most precise separation equipment is the decanter centrifuge, targeting ultrafine solid particles below 10 microns. High-speed rotation generates extreme centrifugal force to separate tiny clay powder and colloidal solids.

5.To maintain uniform mud concentration and prevent solid sedimentation in circulation tanks, mud agitators and mud guns are installed across all tank compartments. Supporting mixing systems including jet mud mixers and chemical hoppers prepare new mud by blending bentonite, barite and treating agents on-site, supplementing mud lost with discharged cuttings.

For all above mentioned equipment and whole system, GN Solids Control can propose the turn-key solution and GN has rich experiences on this. 

GN 14 Inch Sludge Dewatering Centrifuge Package for Southeast Asia Client

As global wastewater discharge regulations grow stricter, sludge dewatering has become a core link in municipal and industrial sewage treatment. The horizontal decanter centrifuge package, as an integrated, high-efficiency solid-liquid separation system, is gaining widespread adoption for sludge dewatering, thanks to its unique mechanical principles and functional advantages.

The core of the system is the horizontal screw decanter centrifuge, which works on centrifugal sedimentation principles. High-speed rotation of the drum generates strong centrifugal force (up to thousands of times gravity), rapidly separating solid particles from liquid in sludge. The tapered screw conveyor continuously moves dewatered sludge cake toward the discharge end, while clarified liquid flows out from the other side. This continuous, fully enclosed operation is its primary strength for sludge treatment. Why is it especially suitable for sludge dewatering?

First, it delivers superior dewatering performance. It handles sludge with 1%–10% solid content (typical for municipal sludge) efficiently, reducing moisture content from 98% to 75%–80%—far drier than results from belt filter presses.

Second, it excels at fine particle capture, separating particles as small as 5μm, which traditional methods struggle with. Third, its compact, modular design integrates centrifuges, chemical dosing units, pumps, and PLC control systems into a skid-mounted package, saving 2/3 of floor space versus conventional setups. Operational reliability and cost-effectiveness further boost its suitability. The system runs 24/7 continuously without frequent shutdowns, ideal for large-volume sludge treatment. Its fully sealed structure prevents odor leakage and sludge splashing, ensuring a clean working environment. With automated PLC control, it adjusts parameters (drum speed, differential speed, polymer dosage) in real time, cutting labor costs reducing flocculant consumption.

For example, a Southeast Asian municipal plant adopted the GN Separation's 14-inch decanter centrifuge package in a recent project.

One Batch of Screw Press and Chemical Dosing Unit for Overseas Customer

The integration of a screw press and chemical dosing unit has become a reliable and efficient solution for solid-liquid separation and sludge dewatering across municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. This combined system optimizes conditioning, separation, and post-treatment, delivering stable performance, low operational cost, and high automation.

GN Separation, as a leading company for both separation solution provider and equipment manufactuer, always supplies such combinations to clients in domestic China and abroad. Recently, there is such a project.

1.A chemical dosing unit precisely feeds coagulants or flocculants into raw sludge or wastewater. These chemicals neutralize surface charges of fine particles, promoting agglomeration into dense, stable flocs. Well-formed flocs resist breaking under pressure, boost solids capture, reduce filtrate turbidity, and lower moisture content in dewatered cake. Without proper chemical conditioning, fine solids easily pass through screens, lowering efficiency and increasing operational issues.

2. The screw press then uses progressive compression for mechanical dewatering. As the tapered screw rotates, sludge moves forward with decreasing pitch and rising pressure. Free water is discharged through small gaps between fixed and moving rings, while solids form dry cake for easy disposal or reuse. The slow, gentle operation minimizes energy use, noise, and wear, making it ideal for continuous long-term running.

This combined system is widely applied in municipal wastewater plants, handling activated and digested sludge to reduce volume by over 60% and cut transport and landfill costs.In summary, combining a screw press with a chemical dosing unit enhances dewatering efficiency, lowers moisture, reduces operating expenses, and ensures compliance with environmental standards. As requirements for sludge reduction and resource recycling tighten, this integrated system will remain a preferred choice for sustainable wastewater and sludge treatment.

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