Mud Cleaners
Integrated desander / desilter packages over a drying shaker — intermediate solids removal on a single skid.
Mud cleaners sit between the primary shale shakers and the high-speed decanter centrifuge in the solids control train. A bank of hydrocyclones — desander cones plus desilter cones — separate intermediate solids, and the cyclone underflow is dried over an integrated high-G shaker before the recovered fluid returns to the active mud system.
The cut a mud cleaner makes depends on the mud. On unweighted mud, the hydrocyclones remove sand- and silt-sized drilled solids, with desilter cones typically reaching a D50 cut point of around 15–20 microns in water (coarser in viscous mud). On weighted mud, hydrocyclones cannot tell barite from drilled solids of similar size, so the underflow — which carries much of the barite — is screened on the drying shaker: solids coarser than the screen openings are discarded, while barite and finer solids pass through the screen and return to the active system.
Because fine low-gravity solids that pass the drying screen also return to the system, a decanter centrifuge is normally still required downstream to control fine solids on weighted mud.
Hydrocyclone desanders, desilters and mud cleaners separate solids by size and do not selectively recover barite. Where selective barite recovery is required, it is achieved with an appropriately configured decanter centrifuge system.
How it works
- 1Mud is pumped from the active pit into a manifold feeding banks of 10" (desander) and 4" (desilter) hydrocyclones.
- 2Centrifugal action in each cyclone moves larger and denser particles to the cone wall — they exit through the apex as underflow — while the lighter, finer fraction exits the overflow and returns to the active system.
- 3Cyclone underflow discharges onto a high-G drying shaker fitted with fine mesh. Liquid and particles smaller than the screen openings — including most barite on weighted mud — pass through and return to the active system.
- 4Solids coarser than the screen openings discharge off the shaker for further waste treatment.
Typical specifications
Technical specifications are indicative and may vary depending on the selected manufacturer, equipment model, feed characteristics, operating conditions and project requirements. Final specifications and applicable certification will be confirmed during technical review and quotation.
Typical applications
- Intermediate solids removal on unweighted water-based mud
- Weighted mud: discarding coarse drilled solids while returning barite through the drying screen, ahead of the centrifuge
- Low-gravity solids control on top-hole intervals
- Compact solids control packages for HDD and civil bentonite systems
Selection factors
Cyclone count sizes the unit
Total cyclone count and cone size set the treatment capacity. Match cone count to mud pump circulation rate — undersize and cyclones are bypassed; oversize and cyclones run partially loaded and cut points suffer.
Apex settings drive performance
Cut point is set mainly by cone diameter, feed pressure (typically 30–40 psi at the manifold) and mud properties; apex diameter controls how the underflow discharges. Too large an apex wastes fluid and floods the drying shaker; too small an apex causes roping and pushes solids out through the overflow. Include an operator training pass with the delivery.
Screen life on the drying shaker
The drying shaker sees dry, aggressive solids and short-lifes screens harder than the primary shakers. Specify heavier pre-tensioned composite screens and stock a matched spare set.
“A mud cleaner that keeps flooding the drying shaker is usually an apex or feed-pressure problem, not a shaker problem. Check feed pressure, apex diameters and the underflow discharge pattern before touching the screens.”
Spares we supply
Why Choose Paragon
30+ years of field experience
Our engineers have specified, commissioned and troubleshot equipment on projects across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas.
Independent technical advice
We are not tied to a single manufacturer — recommendations are driven by fit for your process, not by margin.
Global sourcing network
Trusted OEM and specialist aftermarket suppliers, with dual-sourced wear parts to protect you from lead-time risk.
Delivered ready to work
Inspection, testing, commissioning and technical support included — not left as an afterthought.
Responsive engineering support
One working-day response on technical enquiries, and hands-on troubleshooting when you need it.
Long-term client relationships
Most of our work comes from clients we've supported through multiple projects and equipment life cycles.
Need help specifying a mud cleaner?
Share your flow rate, feed characteristics and site constraints — our engineers will come back with a concrete configuration and budget within one working day.
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