Hydrocyclone Design

The purpose of this project was to develop a hydrocyclone fluid/solid separation model used to separate varying solid particle sizes within drilling mud used in oil and gas operations. Reliable hydrocyclone separation spectrums of solids are not currently achievable since mud parameters, which dictate critical hydrocyclone geometry for optimum separation, vary with each well. A mathematical model consisting of theoretical governing equations was developed to output either cut-point or hydrocyclone prototype geometry from adjustable inputs of mud properties. To verify and refine the model, operational hydrocyclone testing and CFD analysis were conducted.