In modern construction and utility installation projects—such as hydrovac excavation and horizontal directional drilling (HDD)—efficiently managing slurry waste is essential for both operational productivity and environmental responsibility. GN Separation specializes in the design and manufacture of advanced waste management systems engineered specifically for hydrovac slurry and directional drill mud treatment.
A recent system supplied to a client in America demonstrates GN Separation’s capability to transform project waste into reusable resources through an integrated and efficient separation process.
System Overview
The primary objective of this system is to utilize liquid–solid separation technology to process the soil, slurry, or “soup” generated during hydrovac or HDD operations. The process produces reusable solids suitable for construction applications and clean water safe for discharge. Typically, the treated slurry is contaminant-free, originating from utility works in public right-of-ways or drilling operations for underground pipeline and cable installations.
This comprehensive separation solution is composed of several key modules operating in sequence:
1. Coarse Screening Module
The process begins with a coarse vibrating screen that removes larger solids from the incoming slurry. Beneath the shaker sits a catch tank equipped with two side-mounted agitators to prevent solids from settling. An abrasion-resistant submersible slurry pump then transfers the pre-screened material to the next treatment stage.
2. Fine Screening Module
This module integrates a fine shale shaker and a desilter on a compact skid. The tank beneath is divided into two compartments. Slurry from the coarse screen’s underflow is first processed by the fine shaker, which removes solids larger than 300 microns. The liquid passing through flows into the first tank compartment, from which it is pumped to the desilter for further fine particle removal.
The desilter includes an underflow shaker to dry the separated solids from its hydrocyclone cones, while mud agitators installed on the tank maintain consistent slurry suspension.
3. Desilter Module
The desilter unit plays a critical role in removing fine solids. Utilizing hydrocyclone technology, it efficiently separates small particles from the liquid phase, producing cleaner slurry. Dried solids from the desilter cones are discharged onto the integrated shaker for easy handling.
4. Decanter centrifuge Module
For high-precision final separation, the system incorporates a decanter centrifuge module. Mounted on a telescopic skid, the decanter centrifuge discharges clarified water into a dedicated catch tank, from which a centrifugal pump transfers the water for reuse or disposal.
Proven Results
By combining these modules into a unified process, GN Separation’s Hydrovac Slurry Separation System ensures thorough and continuous slurry treatment. It handles various consistencies—from thick “soup” to standard slurry—recovering valuable solids and producing clean water for reuse.
This system not only promotes sustainability by minimizing waste and supporting water recycling but also enhances on-site efficiency for GN’s clients across America and around the world.