February 2018, Vol. 245, No. 2

TechNotes

Vermeer Offers Reclaimer for Directional Drilling

Vermeer expands its fluid management product lineup with the introduction of the R250C reclaimer – a modular mud reclaimer that can be paired with a variety of directional drills, trailers, pit pumps and gensets on a job site.

The design of the Vermeer R250C reclaimer helps to reduce the costs to conduct horizontal directional drill (HDD) projects. It is equipped with an innovative 45-degree manifold, a balanced elliptical shaker motion and scaled shaker deck, as well as several serviceability features to help increase overall productivity.

“The importance of an efficient flow of quality drilling fluid throughout an HDD job cannot be understated,” said Patrick Robinson, Vermeer commercial business manager for pipeline. “With the R250C reclaimer, HDD crews can help reduce the sand content in the mud.”

The 45-degree outlet manifold on the reclaimer, combined with the use of the suction breakers, separates sand and course silt efficiently. The cones deliver a consistent performance of reducing solids. This new reclaimer is equipped with industry-leading pumps to also help aid the process.

The reclaimer’s balanced elliptical shaker motion delivers the same motion every time with the center of gravity balanced on the motors to carry lower gravity solids, such as clay, over the shaker screens. This motion produces slightly drier cuttings and reduces the mesh size to help increase overall screen life and flow. Clay swelling is also diminished as a result, and the recycling process is more consistent.

The two-deck shaker design provides a first-cut shaker bed area of 32-foot, 2-inch and a second cut area of 180-foot, 2-inch. The scaled shaker deck features a proportioned double-deck shaker that gives access and visibility to the bottom deck without sacrificing overall screen square footage.

The 360-degree working deck gives the operator access to all sides of the shaker for easy washing and screen changes. Also, all pumps, electrical motors and pressure washer are located on one side of the machine for ease in accessing and servicing components.

With a processing rate of 1968.4 L/min and a recommended consumption rate of 946.4 L/min, the Vermeer R250C reclaimer is best paired with drills in the 100,000-pound (45,359.2-kilogram) class. P&GJ