Alfa Laval Inc. Drilling Mud Decanter Centrifuge LYNX

How it works The LYNX drilling mud decanter centrifuge is built around a slender cylindrical bowl with a relatively large length/diameter ratio and a conical end. This bowl rotates at speeds of up to 3650 rpm (according to model), producing centrifugal force of anywhere from 300 to 3574 G. The other key components include a main drive motor, heavy-duty gearbox, back drive motor and control panel. The Alfa Laval direct drive gearbox ensures automatic control of the conveying speed. The liquid drilling mud is fed into this long cylindrical bowl, where the centrifugal force presses it outwards to form a layer – known as the pond – around the wall. The thickness of this layer is determined by a series of discharge weirs at the end of the cylindrical section. The clarified liquid flows out over these weirs, with the aid of centrifugal force. Since the solids in the mud are heavier, they remain plastered against the bowl wall, and are continuously removed by the screw conveyor. They are then transported up to the conical section (known as the beach) where they exit via the discharge ports at the narrow end. Cleaned drilling mud exits at the opposite end.