DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION OF A SMALL-SCALE SHALE SCREENING MACHINE

Authors

  • A.O. OSADOLOR Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Benin Edo State
  • M.E. BASHIR Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Benin Edo State
  • T.I. OSIFO Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Benin Edo State

Keywords:

drilling fluids, mud screener, mud shaker, shale

Abstract

For decades, the shale screener has been used within side the drilling enterprise for putting off coarse debris from the
drilling fluids. The overall performance envelopes of most of the shale shakers have been decided empirically.
Systematic empirical research of complete shale shakers are not easy and are costly to develop because of the excessive
rate of flow of drilling fluid and coarse debris conveyed via the screener. Beyond its use in the oil and gas industry,
shale shakers could be utilized in agriculture separation of biomass and fluids. The present design considered
operational parameters such as solid conveyance, spring length, amplitude and frequency of vibration, throw index
and screen slope. The designed shale shaker comprises of a vibrating offset mass connected via a pulley system to an
electric motor. An open V-belt, balata type material was specifically selected for effective grip. Four springs; two on
each side that are encased by spring cups were attached to the shaker frame. Test and analysis carried out on the
prototype showed that the oscillating motion of the mud bath caused the coarse masses to move upward and forward
on the screen, while the fluid sift through the filter medium attaining filtration ratio to particle diameter of 4:1. As
coarse particles size increased, the filter ratio increased. As vibration frequency increased, there was a corresponding
increase in throw index which is an indication of the move activity of particles. There was a direct relationship of
proportionality between the throw index, the vibration frequency, and amplitude of the mud particles. With attempt
geared toward lowering the experimental costs while maintaining efficiency, the shale shaker was designed.

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Published

2022-06-15

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Section

Articles