Liquid Seal Booster

Frequently, the situation arises where a mud/gas separator is picked up with the rig contract, and the drilling rig supervisor and engineer must evaluate the suitability of the separator for the wellioca­tion. This evaluation typically should be conducted during the rig bid analysis process. If the separator is insufficient or marginal, it may be more economical to upgrade the existing separator to meet the sizing criteria as an alternative to renting or building a suitable one.

The critical time for separator blow-through exists when peak gas flow rates are experienced. Mud/gas separator blow~through is defined as inefficient separator operation resulting in a mud/gas mixture returning to the mud tanks through the mud return line.

Two situations can cause separator blow-through.
I. Friction pressure of the gas venting through the vent line exceeds the mud-leg hydrostatic pressure, resulting in evacuation of fluid from the separator. Friction pressure of the mud through the mud return line is considered negligible because of its short length.
2. Vessel ID is too small, causing insufficient retention time for the gas to separate efficiently from the mud. This situation is commonly called insufficient’ separator cut.