Desander

Driscoil Equipment supplies high-performance Desanders designed to remove fine to medium-sized sand and drilled solids from drilling fluids before the mud is returned to the active mud system. Desanders are an essential component of a modern solids-control system, helping protect downstream equipment and maintain drilling-fluid properties.

Detailed Technical Specification

Specification Typical Range / Description

Equipment Type Hydrocyclone Desander

Primary Function Removal of sand and drilled solids from drilling mud

Operating Principle Centrifugal separation using hydrocyclones

Typical Cut Point Approximately 40–100 microns, depending on hydrocyclone design and operating conditions

Processing Capacity Approximately 500–2,500 GPM or higher, depending on configuration

Hydrocyclones Typically 2–4 cones; configuration dependent

Cone Size Commonly approximately 8–12 inches

Operating Pressure Typically 30–75 psi at the hydrocyclone inlet

Feed System Pressurized mud feed manifold

Underflow Sand and heavier solids discharged from hydrocyclone apex

Overflow Cleaned drilling fluid returned to the mud system

Body Material Carbon steel / stainless steel

Hydrocyclone Material Polyurethane, ceramic, aluminium or engineered composite, depending on design

Feed Inlet Flanged or threaded connection

Discharge Outlet Flanged connection

Apex/Spigot Replaceable wear-resistant component

Screening Normally installed upstream/downstream as part of a complete solids-control package

Mounting Skid-mounted or mud-tank mounted

Control Manual or automated pressure/flow monitoring

Service Onshore and offshore drilling

Note: Actual capacity and separation performance depend on mud density, viscosity, solids concentration, hydrocyclone diameter, inlet pressure and cone configuration.

How a Desander Works

The drilling mud enters the hydrocyclone under pressure. The hydrocyclone creates a strong centrifugal vortex that separates heavier solids from the lighter drilling fluid.

Heavier sand and drilled solids move toward the outer wall and exit through the underflow/apex.

Cleaned drilling fluid moves toward the centre of the cyclone and exits through the overflow.

The treated mud is then returned to the active mud system.

Typical Solids-Control Flow

Shale Shaker → Vacuum Degasser → Desander → Desilter → Centrifuge → Active Mud System

The exact equipment sequence can vary according to the drilling-fluid system and project requirements.

Key Features

High-efficiency hydrocyclone separation

Removes unwanted sand and drilled solids

Protects downstream mud-processing equipment

Helps maintain drilling-fluid properties

Replaceable hydrocyclone liners/cones

Replaceable wear-resistant apexes

Compact skid-mounted design

Suitable for continuous drilling operations

Available in multiple flow capacities

Suitable for water-based and selected oil-based mud systems

Applications

Oil & Gas Drilling

Land drilling rigs

Offshore drilling rigs

Directional drilling

Exploration drilling

Development wells

Workover operations

Drilling-Fluid Processing

Desanders are used to reduce the concentration of unwanted solids before the mud reaches downstream equipment such as:

Mud cleaners

Desilters

Centrifuges

Mud pumps

Mixing systems

Storage tanks

Important Technical Considerations

When selecting a desander, Driscoil recommends confirming:

Required flow rate — GPM or m³/hr

Mud weight — ppg / SG

Mud viscosity

Sand concentration

Desired cut point

Hydrocyclone cone diameter

Number of cones

Operating inlet pressure

Feed and discharge connection sizes

Mud temperature

Material of construction

Wear-resistance requirements

Onshore/offshore application

Required API/project specifications

Advantages

✓ Efficient sand removal

✓ Protects drilling equipment

✓ Reduces abrasive wear

✓ Improves drilling-fluid management

✓ Continuous operation

✓ Compact installation

✓ Replaceable wear components

✓ Suitable for high-volume drilling operations