Cuttings dryer
The VERTI-G cuttings dryer incorporates a high-speed vertical centrifuge that maximizes liquid-solid separation in large-volume processing. This mechanism makes the VERTI-G dryer one of the industry’s best performing and most dependable cutting dryers. Available in both standard and compact configurations, the VERTI-G dryer gives operators a critical advantage in meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations for offshore cuttings disposal.
Drill cuttings are conveyed from the shakers to the VERTI-G cuttings dryer through a variety of site-engineered conveyance systems, including
Maintained by programmable logic control (PLC), the flow of cuttings into the VERTI-G dryer is continuously fed to optimize liquid-solids separation. Once cuttings are introduced into the dryer’s charge hopper, widely spaced, independently adjustable flights continuously direct cuttings to the screen surface. The flights are coated with tungsten carbide to reduce wear and ensure increased tolerance.
Flights within the VERTI-G dryer create a rolling action that promotes efficient separation and prevents screen plugging. Under high G forces created by the large cone diameter, liquid-solids separation occurs instantly as cuttings make contact with the finer-mesh, high-capacity centrifuge screen. The result is clean return fluid and dry solids discharge.
The VERTI-G cuttings dryer improves overall cost efficiency by recovering costly drilling fluid that is recovered from cuttings as well as whole mud lost from shaker failure and rig motion. Further, the VERTI-G cuttings dryer produces lower waste volumes by generating dryer solids in both oil- and synthetic-based drilling fluid systems. Reducing waste volume helps to significantly reduce disposal costs.
Routine flushing of the dryer system prevents solids buildup in the recovery area and minimizes shutdowns for cleaning. In addition, normal-wear parts are easily accessible from the top of the unit; belts are easily changed without removing the gear assembly. Interchangeable tungsten carbide rotor blades protect the rotor and gearbox from excessive erosion, minimizing main component failure and lowering maintenance cost.
