An effective fluid management plan is a key component to optimizing operational efficiencies on horizontal directional drilling (HDD) pipeline installation projects. With the high volume of fluid required to sufficiently displace the cuttings out of the bore hole and maximize production rates on large projects, many HDD contractors are now employing reclaimers to recycle drilling fluids.
According to Andy Bremner, Vermeer pipeline corporate accounts manager, the primary consideration for selecting a reclaimer is the flow rates deployed and the percentage of solids coming back to the reclaimer. “The percent of solids is impacted by geological conditions, the rate of penetration and the largest diameter of the ream pass,” he explained. “For example, a correctly sized and engineered reclaimer for the 250-gpm to 300-gpm (946.4-L/min to 1,135.6-L/min) drill class will keep sand content below 0.5 percent. However, maintaining that level of sand content is challenging in this range because the pumps have smaller diameter pistons and there are more revolutions per minute (rpm) compared to pumps with higher gpm outputs. If sand levels are too high, the result can be premature wear to pumps and HDD tooling.”
Understanding the specific needs of contractors working in this common range, Vermeer developed the R250C reclaimer that can be paired with a range of horizontal directional drills. Among the most popular pairings though is with the Vermeer D100x140 S3 Navigator® horizontal directional drill. Bremner said it is a great combination because the cleaning capacity of the R250C exceeds the maximum output of the pump on the D100x140. “The overall holding capacity is more than 10 times what the D100X140 pump delivers at maximum output. While the R250C is engineered to mix, supply and clean 250 gallons per minute (946.4 L/min),” he explained.
The two machines working together give crews a powerful combination. The D100x140 delivers 275 hp (205 kW), 14,000 foot-pounds (18,981.5 Nm) of torque, rotational speeds up to 203 rpm, and a thrust/pullback of 100,000 pounds (444.8 kN). While the R250C self-contained mud-recycling system helps minimize time and cost of transporting water to the jobsite with a tank capacity of 3,690 gallons (13,968.2 L) and plenty of cleaning performance with its scaled double-deck with 56 square-foot (2.9 m2) of total screen surface area.
“An important feature of the R250C is its balanced elliptical motion shaker deck that was engineered and tested specifically for HDD contractors in this particular operational class,” explained Bremner. “Many competitive models have shaker decks that were developed for other industries and adjusted for HDD usage.” Vermeer strives to provide solutions to the industry, and the combination of the R250C reclaimer and D100X140 HDD have proven to be a great solution for contractors looking for a competitive edge. Pairing the D100X140 and the R250C can help crews take control of fluid management and allows contractors to focus on productivity rather than transporting fluids and spoils.
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