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A
n effective fluid management plan is a key
component to optimising 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 maximise production rates on large projects, many
HDD contractors are now employing reclaimers to recycle
drilling fluids.
According to Andy Bremner, Pipeline Corporate Accounts
Manager at Vermeer, the primary consideration for selecting
a reclaimer is the flowrates 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 - 300 gpm
(946.4 l/min. to 1135.6 l/min.) drill class will keep sand
content below 0.5%. 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
is with the Vermeer D100X140 S3 Navigator
®
horizontal directional drill. This combination works
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 gpm (946.4 l/min.),” Bremner explained.
The two machines working together are designed
to give crews a powerful combination. The D100x140
delivers 275 hp (205 kW), 14 000 ft/lb (18 981.5 Nm) of
torque, rotational speeds up to 203 rpm, and a thrust/
pullback of 100 000 lbs (444.8 kN). Meanwhile the R250C
self-contained mud-recycling system helps minimise time
and cost of transporting water to the jobsite with a tank
capacity of 3690 gal. (13 968.2 l), and plenty of cleaning
performance with its scaled double-deck with 56 ft
2
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.”
The combination of the R250C
reclaimer and D100X140 HDD have
been designed to provide a 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.
VERMEER,
USA
The horizontal directional drill and reclaimer are designed to
optimise productivity.
With the Vermeer R250C reclaimer, there is less need to
transport truckloads of water, less time spent co-ordinating
disposal and delivery, and fewer trips to disposal sites.
Heavy equipment review
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