Mud Gun Informaiton

Aipu solids control have focus on solids control over 20 years old.

Both high-pressure and low-pressure mud guns agitate mud by means
of rapid fluid movement through a nozzle. Pressure and flow are delivered via either high-pressure main mud pumps or, most often, centrifugal pumps.

High-Pressure Mud Guns

High-pressure guns typically come in 3000 and 6000 psi ratings and
require heavy-walled piping. Gun nozzle sizes range from 1 4 to 3 4 inch (6.4
to 18.4 mm). The rig’s main mud pumps (positive displacement piston
types) pressurize the guns. The high-pressure system requires heavy
piping and connections but relatively small nozzles. It is a high-pressure,
low-volume system. The agitation is a result of high-velocity fluid coming
from the jet nozzle.

Low-Pressure Mud Guns

Low-pressure mud guns usually require about 75 feet of head for effec tive operation (see chapter 18 for head and pump sizing). Nozzle sizes
range from 1 2 to 1 inch (12.7 to 25.4 mm). Centrifugal pumps pressurize
Suspension, Agitation, and Mixing of Drilling Fluids 233
the nozzles through standard wall piping (typically schedule-40 pipe
is used). The low-pressure system does not require heavy-walled piping.
Because of higher flow rates, larger-diameter pipe is used to prevent
excess friction loss. The jet nozzles are larger than in the high-pressure
system. Effective agitation occurs from the large volume of fluid entering
the mud tank through the nozzle. Fluid shear is applied by the velocity of
the fluid exiting the nozzle. This is called a high-volume, low-pressure
system.

Mud Gun Placement

Mud guns are usually placed about 6 inches ( 15 cm) from the tank
bottom and typically come with a 360 swivel that allows directional
positioning to stir dead spots. Dead spots can occur in right-angle compartments that have inadequate mechanical agitation or can be caused by piping or other mechanical obstructions.