Mud Recycling System: Understanding Key Components | Functions & Benefits

2025-12-01

Drilling Mud Recycling Systems are environmentally friendly and energy-saving devices used in oil and gas drilling, trenchless horizontal directional drilling (HDD), and mining drilling projects. Through multi-stage purification and recycling of drilling mud (drilling fluid), they achieve the triple goals of cost reduction, environmental protection, and quality improvement. The following analysis, based on the technical characteristics of Tianrui Solids Controls' drilling mud recovery system, details its key components, functions, and advantages:

Sichuan Qingyuan Oil Sludge No-Landing System Shipped - Sludge Recycling Equipment Factory

I. Key Components

Mud Recycling System, also known as the drilling fluid recycling system, are primarily used to recover, filter, and recirculate drilling fluids used in the drilling process.

The TR solids control mud recycling system adopts a modular design, comprising four major modules: "pre-treatment - deep purification - storage and circulation - auxiliary control". The components work together to achieve efficient recycling and utilization of mud.

components	Core equipment (TR Solid Control products)	Technical features
Pre-processing module	Linear shale shaker（TRZS series）	1. It adopts a high-frequency, low-amplitude design (frequency 50-60Hz) and screen mesh of 100-200 mesh to effectively separate rock fragments and sand particles ≥74μm from the mud; 2.Patented anti-clogging shaker screen + quick screen replacement structure, screen replacement time ≤ 5 minutes, suitable for complex drilling conditions; 3. The double-layer shaker screen design (coarse screen + fine screen) improves pretreatment efficiency by 30%.
Deep purification module	1. Vacuum Degasser（TRCQ series） 2. Desander（TRCS series, 12-24 inch cyclones） 3. Desilter（TRCN series, 4-6 inch cyclones） 4. Decanter Centrifuge（TRWL series, variable frequency speed control）	1. Vacuum degasser: Vacuum degree ≤0.09MPa, degassing efficiency ≥95%, quickly removes free gas and dissolved gas from the drilling mud, and avoids gas intrusion affecting drilling safety; 2. Desander / Desilter：Employs polyurethane hydrocyclone, which is wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant, and can separate 20-74μm (sand particles) and 5-20μm (mud particles) respectively. The sand content of the purified mud is ≤0.3%. 3. Decanter Centrifuge：variable frequency speed regulation (0-3600r/min), separation accuracy up to 2-5μm, removes colloidal particles and clay particles, and controls slurry viscosity and shear force.
storage loop module	1. Mud Mixing Tank（TRNJ series） 2. Shear Pump（TRQB series） 3. perfusion pump（TRGZ series）	1. Mixing tank: volume 10-100m³, equipped with double-layer impeller agitator to prevent mud sedimentation and stratification, and the inner wall of the tank is treated with anti-corrosion treatment (epoxy resin coating). 2. Shear pump: Shear rate ≥12000s⁻¹, rapidly disperses mud additives (bentonite, CMC, etc.), and improves mud performance stability; 3. Injection pump: High pressure and low flow design (pressure ≤1.6MPa) to continuously provide a stable mud supply to the drilling pump.
Auxiliary control module	1. Mud Gun / sprinkler system 2. Liquid Level / Density / Viscosity Online monitor 3. Waste collection tank + Drying screen	1. Mud gun: High-pressure flushing of rock cuttings, recovery of adhering mud, and reduction of waste; 2. Online monitor：Real-time monitoring of mud density (1.0-2.5g/cm³), viscosity (10-100s), and liquid level; data is uploaded to the central control system in real time. 3. Drying screen: secondary recovery of mud adhering to rock cuttings, with a rock cutting moisture content of ≤15%, reducing solid waste discharge.

Shandong ZJ30 mud recovery system on site

II. Analysis of the Advantages of Mud Systems

Resource recycling reduces costs
Raw material savings: 80%-90% of valuable raw materials such as bentonite and barite in the mud are recycled, reducing the cost of new mud preparation by 40%-50%.
Reduced waste disposal costs: Avoiding the transportation of waste slurry significantly reduces the overall project cost.
Significant environmental benefits
Pollution control: By separating solid particles from harmful substances, the sludge discharge meets environmental protection standards (such as suspended solids content ≤50mg/L), reducing pollution to soil and water bodies.
Ecological protection: In projects such as river dredging and contaminated soil remediation, achieve mud-water separation and resource utilization to avoid secondary pollution.
Improve construction efficiency and quality
Optimized borehole quality: The purified mud has stable viscosity and density, effectively supporting the borehole wall and reducing the risk of borehole collapse.
Equipment protection: Reduces the wear of impurities in the drilling mud on the drilling rig pump body and drill bit, and extends the service life of the equipment.
Highly adaptable and widely applicable
Multi-field coverage: Applicable to trenchless directional tunneling, pipe jacking, piling, shield subway construction, tailings treatment and other scenarios.
Working condition adaptability: The separation accuracy (such as screen mesh number and centrifuge speed) can be adjusted according to parameters such as mud solids content and particle size to meet the needs of different formations.
Compact structure, easy to transport
Modular design: The tank structure is simple, and the corridors and guardrails can be folded or disassembled, facilitating long-distance transportation and rapid installation.
Space optimization: The integrated layout reduces the footprint of equipment and is suitable for narrow urban construction environments.

TR Solids Control's mud recycling systems are widely used in oil and gas drilling, trenchless engineering (horizontal directional drilling, pipe jacking), mining exploration (coal and metal exploration drilling), geothermal drilling, and other fields. Mud recycling systems have become key equipment for "cost reduction, environmental protection, and quality improvement" in modern drilling engineering. With years of industry experience, TR Solid Control can customize system solutions according to specific customer conditions, helping customers achieve green and efficient construction.