Desander in drilling rig
Desander in drilling rig is a hydrocyclone unit installed after the shale shaker and the degasser and before the desilter. It removes abrasive sand and silt from drilling mud in the 45 to 74 micrometer range, protects pumps and valves, stabilizes mud rheology, and reduces dilution and chemical cost.
Desander Selection Guide (Typical Values)
| Cone Size (in) | Typical Cut Point (μm) | Per-Cone Flow (GPM @ ~75 ft head) | Typical Operating ΔP (psi) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8″ | 37–67 | up to ~350 | 5–50 (≈30 common) | Rigs needing tighter cut with compact footprint |
| 10″ | 40–100 | ~500–511 | 5–50 (≈30 common) | Standard oil & gas rigs, HDD, recycling systems |
| 12″ | ~100–200* | ~500 | 5–50 (≈30 common) | High-volume coarse sand removal, mud cleaners |
| 14–20″ | Coarser, plant-level | varies by design | 5–50 | Micro-tunneling/TBM separation plants |
