What is role of drying shaker in drilling waste management?

In oil and gas drilling engineering, the dry shale shaker is type of solids control equipment used at the wellsite to recover liquid phase. As linear shale shaker, it is designed to retrieve the adsorbed liquid phase from drilling cuttings discharged by the primary shale shaker and hydrocyclones, thereby effectively minimizing drilling mud waste.

Applications of Drying Shaker

The dry shale shaker is solid-liquid separation and treatment equipment in the drilling waste management system. Compared to the primary shale shaker, it uses a finer screen mesh. Since the drilling cuttings passing through the shale shaker are relatively dry and flow slowly across the screen, coupled with intense vibration force, it maximizes the recovery of the liquid phase from the cuttings. 

In operation, the drying shaker can be used in combination with any equipment in solids control system, such as desanders and desilters. After combined treatment by these devices, the discharged solid phase is further processed by a linear shale shaker equipped with a fine-mesh screen to recover the liquid phase adsorbed on the solids. All equipment is installed in a straight line with the primary shale shaker on the drilling fluid tank.

Functions of Drying Shaker

I. Solid-Liquid Separation and Resource Recovery

1. Liquid Phase Separation

   As a front-end device in the drilling waste management system, the dry shale shaker achieves preliminary separation of solid particles from the liquid phase in drilling fluid through high-frequency vibration. Equipped with a finer mesh screen, it can separate large solid particles from drilling cuttings that have undergone prior solids control treatment, preventing these particles from directly entering subsequent equipment and causing damage.

   Meanwhile, it efficiently recovers the liquid phase adsorbed on the cuttings discharged by the primary shale shaker and hydrocyclones—particularly the liquid phase in oil-based drilling mud—thereby effectively minimizing drilling mud waste.

2. Reducing Liquid Content

   After treatment by the dry shale shaker, the liquid (and oil) content in drilling cuttings can be reduced to approximately 10%. This process not only reduces the volume of drilling waste and minimizes environmental pollution but also recovers part of the drilling mud, thereby lowering drilling costs.

3. Resource Reutilization

   After purification treatment, the separated liquid can have its useful components recovered, achieving resource reutilization. For example, the recovered drilling fluid can be reintroduced into the drilling fluid circulation system for continued use in drilling operations.

II. Environmental Treatment and Waste Reduction

1. Reducing Waste Discharge

   By lowering the liquid (and oil) content in drilling cuttings, the drying shaker reduces the volume of drilling waste discharged. This helps alleviate the burden of waste disposal for drilling projects and minimize environmental impact.

2. Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Harmless Treatment

   Application of the drying shaker enables drilling waste to achieve reduction, recycling, and harmless treatment during the disposal process. This not only complies with environmental requirements but also helps improve resource utilization efficiency.

By separating large solid particles,dry shale shaker prevents these particles from directly entering subsequent equipment such as cuttings dryers, thereby protecting the normal operation of these devices and extending their service life. 

When used in combination with other equipment in the solids control system—including linear shale shakers, desanders, and desilters—the dry shale shaker forms a complete drilling fluid cleaning system. These devices work synergistically to improve the processing efficiency of drilling waste and accelerate overall drilling progress.