Mud Pump

Working principle of Mud pumps

Let’s have a look at the operation principle of mud pump.

The crank gear and connecting rods drive a rotary movement that is transferred by the motor transmission. The pressure is produced by the piston in the cylinder due to which the mud is sucked. Following the operation, the suction valve is closed when it moves to left. As the pressure increase in the pipeline, the valve is forced to open and mud is released.

In accordance with the operating liquid displacer type being incorporated, the pumps are subdivided into piston units and plunger-type units. The liquid discharge uniformity is independent of head. The pumping plants are used actively for the processes with the liquids containing solid inclusions in high amounts. Incorporating the self-suction function in piston unit, the liquid is sucked and discharged twice in mud pumps during the single shaft turn, making themselves the double-action pumps whereas, the mud plunger pumps are single-action pumps where the liquid is sucked and discharged only once during a shaft turn.

The single direct-action three-piston pumps prove to be better than other types of drilling. These pumps demonstrate much more uniformity in mud delivery, lesser weight, and easy mounting when compared with two-cylinder units.

As for mud pumping plants, with the piston-type displacer, they may be the drive-type units and the direct –action units

Depending on the number of cylinders, the pumping plants are classified into the following categories, single-cylinder, double-cylinder, three-cylinder and multi-cylinder pumping plants. These cylinders may be vertical or horizontal. Comparatively, the multi-cylinder pumping plants will cost higher but don’t feature any significant advantages other than the single-cylinder.

Understanding the types of mud pumps

When drilling, there might occur the necessity of mud pumping out- and flushing-out, so there are various types of pumps available for such operations which are required to be installed on drilling rigs.

• Sucker-rod pumps: In sucker-rod pumps, the pumpjack is a driver. This pump is installed at the bottom of the well. The reciprocating movements of the pumpjack are converted into liquid flow by the pump, which results in delivery of liquid on the surface. These pumps move oil with various admixtures demonstrating high level of capacity.
• Screw pumps: The screw pumps are small-sized and are generally used to deliver mud into a centrifuge. These pumps have the rotor and stator as the major structural components and the material used to manufacture these components suit right for smooth pumping of liquids with solid inclusions and high level of viscosity. The pumped liquid flows with stable pressure, shaft slowly and the flow is free of vortexes. These pumps comparatively require minimum service.
• Well pumps: These pumps are submerged into wells. The ground part of the plant is a transformer substation equipped for start and adjustment. The pump has a vertical structure, with a fixed cylinder and single-action. A plunger and valve are moving parts. The pumped liquid may contain water content of up to 99% at the temperature as high as 130ºC.

Advantages of mud pumps

All the mud pumps have few general advantages that include the capability to process liquids and substances with high level of viscosity and with admixtures. Also, enabling the smooth flow of substances, free of pulsations or suspensions mixing are counted under the major advantages of incorporating mud pumps. The pumps have high suction power and small weight, easing out the transportation and installation at remote oil fields. They are highly reliable and also affordable.

Scope of Applications

The mud pumps are used in petroleum extraction for following purposes

• Removal of slime by delivering the flushing fluid.
• Cooling of the destruction prone tools.
• To start the hydraulic motors for operation.
• Keeps the rocks in the form of suspension.

Bottom line

There are various types of mud pumps available for different purposes. So, it is important to incorporate the right one for your purpose. A Professional help in getting the right mud pump would be a good and safe option.