The 'Mudcube' « Thread Started on Jun 5, 2012, 1:20pm »
On other threads there are many discussions about new equipment being developed or designed: some of which have provoked a lot of debate.
But I've just read an article which has really caught my interest, because it's real 'out of the box' thinking, along the lines of how to make a better mousetrap. And in this case, it's how to make a shale-shaker which doesn't shake! It's a thing called a 'Mudcube', designed and developed by a couple of engineers who formed a company called Cubility, and made the beast, which has been recently field-proven and accepted by the Norwegian oil giant, Statoil.
(Full disclaimer, by the way: I am not connected with either Cubility, nor Statoil. So don't think I'm advertising anything.)
This looks like a really good and revolutionary piece of kit, using new technologies. The incorporation of 'air knives' particularly caught my eye. Because 'air knives' were closely investigated by Sir James Dyson, inventor of the vacuum-cleaner which bears his name, and whose 'air knife' hand-dryers are proliferating in restaurant 'rest rooms', and motorway service areas across Europe. And I must admit, just about every time I've used one, I've wondered what other applications the principles may have.
(Further disclaimer: I'm not connected to the Dyson company, other than having one of their vacuum-cleaners at home.)
Let's face it, the concept of designing something which is deliberately made to shake is a bit silly, when you think about it. People who produce machines with reciprocating or eccentric parts (such as internal combustion engines, or helicopters, or seismic 'thumper-trucks'), do a lot of research and incorporate many components to prevent vibration, or at least the propogation of vibrations to other parts! Even accoustic loudspeakers (which by their nature have to vibrate) are carefully balanced, to ensure their longetivity.
It will be very interesting to monitor the progress and adoption by other companies of the 'Mudcube'. Seems (from the article I read) like a massive leap forward in solids-control technology, a process which has always been a headache area on any rig.
Information or opinions are solely provided for educational and/or discussion purposes on an informal public forum and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific treatment plan, course of action or product/ service. Use of any of this information does not replace consultations with qualified individuals in these respective fields.
Re: The 'Mudcube' « Reply #1 on Jun 5, 2012, 1:58pm »
AK,
WOW! an interesting piece of kit alright.
Check out this youtube clip....
@ 02:59 it says..." Frequency controlled volumetric pump for mud. Accurate mud return signal to driller."
If mudcube can have a similar pump before the shakers that can cope with solids, then losses over shaker or surface losses and theoretical drilled cuttings volume vs actual solids ie: carvings for example, could be quantified and correlated with caliper log calculated volume from MWD.
However what is a frequency controlled volumetric pump ?
Information or opinions are solely provided for educational and/or discussion purposes on an informal public forum and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific treatment plan, course of action or product/ service. Use of any of this information does not replace consultations with qualified individuals in these respective fields.
Re: The 'Mudcube' « Reply #2 on Jun 5, 2012, 3:11pm »
Thanks for posting AK! Why in the world couldn't I come up with something like this? The whole concept makes a lot of sense.
I'd be curious to know what screen longevity is like? I have to assume that since it's not getting beaten on all day long that they should last for quite a while. How long does a screen change take? Probably doesn't matter if they last as long as I think they might.
According to Cubility's website, they have signed an LOI to install their system on the Maersk Giant this summer. Hopefully the Giant has a few hands that frequent this board and can give their first impressions.
How long before Cubility gets gently corralled under NOV's umbrella?
However what is a frequency controlled volumetric pump ?
The mud return pump controls the level in the separator tank. It is asked to increase or decrease mud flow in order to keep the liquid level in the tank at set point.
It is a positive displacement pump with a motor that can spin it at whatever speed it desires. By positive displacement, I mean that it moves the fluid in fixed volumes, like a piston cylinder. The alternate is a centrifugal pump which pushes on the fluid with curved vanes. Centrifugal pumps are less efficient and cannot control the flow that goes through them. With a PD pump, the rpm is equal to a very exact flow rate.
It was not until the advent of advanced semiconductors in the last decade or so that variable frequency drives have become popular.
With a PD pump and a variable speed motor you have the best of both worlds. High efficiency and knowledge of the exact flow rate.
Re: The 'Mudcube' « Reply #4 on Jun 5, 2012, 4:48pm »
PJ,
"However what is a frequency controlled volumetric pump ?"
Quite honestly, in the context, I haven't a clue. But it must be remembered that this is something I only read about today, and I've got no connections with the company involved. Also, a three-minute animation on youtube isn't very much more than a basic marketing device: it's not like poking into the guts of the thing and seeing how it works in detail. Nor like watching it at work.
I suspect the creation of the clip was farmed-out to a specialist in such things who knows a lot about animation, but very little about oilwell drilling, and solids control in particular.For instance, the mention of 'gasses'. In the article I read, this translates better as 'evacuation of vapours and fumes'.
And in response to 'trock0311', I have the suspicion that screens will not have to be so frequently changed in terms of mesh-size. Though obviously as it's a moving part, it will require checking and change from time to time. But a clean solids control-area, not subject to the moods of the roughnecks on duty, their understanding of how the equipment works, what it's supposed to do, and its importance in the complete drilling process? That will be a a great, and long-awaited thing.
AK
PS I was once a dumb roughneck who did all kinds of wrong things! But shaker-house duty at 02:00 in the N.Sea during a horrible storm was not to be sniffed at: warm, out of the elements, (except when one was called 'upstairs' to make a connection). Also, in the tropical / equatorial climes I tend to frequent these days, the shaker area is a neglected place on many rigs, because it's hotter and dirtier than the surrounding environment and other areas. So not criticising anyone: but to my mind, this looks like a way forward...
Information or opinions are solely provided for educational and/or discussion purposes on an informal public forum and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific treatment plan, course of action or product/ service. Use of any of this information does not replace consultations with qualified individuals in these respective fields.
Joined: May 2010 Gender: Male Posts: 829 Location: UK
Re: The 'Mudcube' « Reply #5 on Jun 5, 2012, 5:39pm »
I found this on tinternet.... Sytronix Variable Speed Pump Drives
Sytronix FcP 5000 Frequency Controlled Pump Drive
A pressure control is implemented in the frequency converter which receives an external pressure target value from the higher-level machine control. The actual pressure value is measured by a pressure sensor and is read by the pressure control.
When a hydraulic consumer (e.g. cylinders for clamping function in a machine tool) decreases a volumetric flow, the system pressure decreases. In order to compensate for the pressure drop, the pressure control increases the speed of the asynchronous motor via the frequency converter, which drives the internal gear pump. This increases the delivery volume of the pump, and the volumetric flow is provided based on need.
Sytronix FcP 5000 replaces the function of a classic variable pump. The energy efficient Sytronix FcP 5000 variable speed drive is suitable for use in constant pressure systems (e.g. the machine tool).
Information or opinions are solely provided for educational and/or discussion purposes on an informal public forum and should not be interpreted as a recommendation for a specific treatment plan, course of action or product/ service. Use of any of this information does not replace consultations with individuals qualified in these respective fields.
If mudcube can have a similar pump before the shakers that can cope with solids, then losses over shaker or surface losses and theoretical drilled cuttings volume vs actual solids ie: carvings for example, could be quantified and correlated with caliper log calculated volume from MWD.
I'm thinking here loud, without having a ready-made solution: you might not need a VFD pump to measure the volumes of cuttings. In the lab we had already 30 years ago a device for grainsize and volume determination that was based on optical attenuation: you flush the material to be analysed, in this case the cuttings, away with a solid-free liquid, eg. seawater, and the slurry goes through a beam (laser or optical): from the attenuation on the solid particles you can measure their volume and their grainsize. This would not only tell you how much cuttings you get, but also if there are any cavings, and it could give you an estimate of the mudlosses by looking into the finest particles (assuming that your mud particles such as weighting material have a specified grain size).
By the way: we all know the VFD drives from our electrosubmersible pumps (ESP's).
The Driller’s Club is constructed around many oil field forums that allow drilling and oil field oriented people to ask and answer questions relating to subjects within the industry. Membership is free and you can pick your own user name
![[image]](http://www.drillfloor.com/the%20driller%27s%20club.jpg "[image]")
![[Search This Thread]](http://images.proboards.com/search2.gif "[Search This Thread]")
![[Share Topic]](http://images.proboards.com/new/buttons/share.png "[Share Topic]")
![[Print]](http://images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif "[Print]")
Author
Logged
![[avatar]](http://www.tellumo.co.uk/brent%20storm%20100.jpg "[avatar]")
