NEWS

In modern construction and utility installation projects, such as hydrovac excavation and horizontal directional drilling (HDD), managing the resulting slurry waste efficiently is crucial for both productivity and environmental responsibility. GN Solids Control specializes in designing and manufacturing advanced waste management systems tailored for hydrovac slurry and directional drill mud treatment. A recent system was successfully supplied for a client in America, showcasing an effective solution for transforming project waste into reusable resources.

The primary goal of this system is to employ liquid-solid separation technology to process the soil, "soup," or slurry generated during hydrovac or HDD operations. This process yields reusable solids for construction applications and clean water suitable for discharge. It's important to note that the slurry treated is typically contaminant-free, originating from utility work in public right-of-ways or from drilling activities for installing underground pipes and utilities.

This comprehensive separation system consists of several key modules working in sequence:

1. Coarse Screening Module
The process begins with a coarse vibration screen, which removes larger solids from the incoming slurry. Positioned below this shaker is a catch tank equipped with two agitators, one on each side, to prevent solid particles from settling. An abrasion-resistant submersible slurry pump then transfers the pre-screened material to the next stage for further treatment.

2. Fine Screening Module
This module integrates a fine shale shaker and a desilter unit onto a single skid. The tank beneath is divided into two compartments. Material from the coarse vibration screen's underflow is pumped to the fine shale shaker, which separates solids larger than 300 microns. The liquid underflow from the fine shaker then drops into the first compartment of the tank. From there, it is pumped to the desilter for removal of even finer particles. The desilter itself includes an underflow shaker to dry the solids discharged from its hydrocyclone cones. Multiple mud agitators are installed on the tank to ensure consistent mixing of the slurry.

3. Desilter Module
The desilter unit is a critical component for fine solids removal. It uses hydrocyclone technology to separate fine particles from the liquid phase, significantly cleaning the slurry. The dried solids from the desilter's cones are efficiently handled by its integrated shaker.

4. Decanter Centrifuge Module
For final, high-precision separation, the system features a decanter centrifuge module. This module includes a telescopic skid for secure mounting of the decanter centrifuge, a dedicated catch tank for collecting the centrifuge's discharged water, and a centrifugal pump for transferring this clarified water.

By combining these modules, GN's Hydrovac Slurry Separation System ensures a thorough treatment process. It effectively handles various slurry consistencies, from thicker "soup" to standard slurry, recovering valuable solid material and producing clean water. This not only promotes sustainability by reducing waste and enabling water reuse but also enhances operational efficiency on-site for our clients in America and worldwide.