The gas/liquid separator and vacuum degasser in the solids control system, are they the same thing?

Aug 10, 2023

The mud/gas separator and vacuum degasser in the solids control system, are they the same thing?
The answer is NO!

The difference between a mud/gas separator and a vacuum degasser lies in their working principles and application scenarios.
A mud/gas separator is primarily used to remove harmful gases from the drilling mud.  It separates the gas from the drilling fluid through physical principles.  During operation, the liquid enters the separator through the inlet and undergoes a series of collisions and flows on internal baffles, resulting in the separation of gas and liquid.  The free gas is then discharged, while the degassed drilling fluid continues to circulate.
 
On the other hand, a vacuum degasser is mainly used to remove residual gases from the mud.  It requires the rotation of an internal rotor driven by a motor to break down gas bubbles in the mud.  The working principle of a vacuum degasser involves establishing a negative pressure environment to draw the gas from the mud into the degasser.  The gas is then released by breaking the bubbles, thus achieving the purpose of degassing.
 
In summary, a mud/gas separator is suitable for removing harmful gases from the returned mud, while a vacuum degasser is used to treat residual gases in the mud.