P. O. Box 42842
Houston, TX 77242-2842
Recommendations made by M-I SWACO are advisory only. M-I SWACO shall not be
liable under any guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, in any manner or
form, AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, ARE HEREBY
SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED, and M-I SWACO shall not be liable for the failure to
obtain any particular results from the use of any recommendation made by it or from
the use of this material. In no event shall M-I SWACO be liable for incidental or
consequential damages.
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 1
FIGURE 1. CFD - CROSS SECTION OF BLENDING ACTION.............................. 1
SECTION 1.1 SYMBOLS............................................................................................ 2
SECTION 2 PURPOSE............................................................................................ 3
SECTION 3 DESCRIPTION..................................................................................... 3
FIGURE 2. HISIDE UNIT ........................................................................................ 3
FIGURE 3. CFD MODEL SHOWING PLACEMENT OF WESTFALL MIXERS....... 5
SECTION 3.1 SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................ 6
SECTION 3.2 HISIDE UNIT VIEWS............................................................................ 7
FIGURE 4. HISIDE UNIT (FRONT VIEW) .............................................................. 7
FIGURE 5. HISIDE UNIT (TOP VIEW) ................................................................... 8
FIGURE 6. HISIDE UNIT (RIGHT SIDE VIEW) ...................................................... 9
SECTION 4 INSTALLATION.................................................................................. 10
SECTION 4.1 INSTALLATION STEPS ..................................................................... 11
SECTION 4.2 SETUP - 2 FLUIDS WITH HOSES ..................................................... 12
SECTION 4.3 SAFETY NOTES ................................................................................ 12
SECTION 4.4 POWER REQUIREMENTS AND SUPPLY ........................................ 13
SECTION 4.5 SHIPPING BRACKETS...................................................................... 13
SECTION 5 OPERATION ...................................................................................... 14
SECTION 5.2 STARTING/STOPPING...................................................................... 17
SECTION 6 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................. 18
SECTION 6.1 GENERAL MAINTENANCE ............................................................... 18
SECTION 6.2 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE........................................... 19
SECTION 7 TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................... 20
FIGURE 7. HISIDE UNIT PARTS LIST................................................................. 21
FIGURE 8. RECOMMENDED SPARE PARTS LIST ............................................ 22
FIGURE 9. OPTIONAL PARTS LIST – HALLIBURTON METERS....................... 23
APPENDIX A GENERIC INSTALLATION................................................................. 24
Instructions in the Operating Manual which concern operating safety are emphasized as
follows:
ATTENTION !
NOTE:
This note draws attention to the general operating notes that should
be especially observed.
The symbols shown on the packing should be noted. Their significance is as follows:
The HiSIDE inline mixing unit is an improved means of diluting high volumes of shore
mixed weighted drilling fluids with brine or other dilutent at an offshore platform. With
flow rates up to 800 GPM (3028 l/min) per inlet line, the HiSIDE facilitates the mixing of
seawater, drilling mud and brine at rapid rates for top-hole sections. Rapid dilution of
drilling fluids taken directly from the supply vessel reduces vessel stand by time and
eliminates the need for onboard rig storage.
SECTION 3 DESCRIPTION
The HiSIDE Mixing Unit is a multi-fluid blending system designed to accommodate flow
rates up to a total 1600 GPM (6056 L/min). The typical configuration will be comprised
of two (2) flow lines, one heavy and one light fluid where the blending action is normally
used to generate a high volume of weighted fluid. The weight of the outlet fluid will be
the weighted average of the two inlet fluids. The two fluids normally enter the HiSIDE
unit through the outermost connections 1 and 2 with the heavy fluid entering through
connection 1— the inlet identified with an “H” for heavy, welded to the top and bottom.
There is an optional third flow line intended for chemical injection into the commingled
flow. The third line is located through the centerline of the unit and injected flows should
be limited to 1/3 rd the flow rate used for the heavy fluid, i.e.
The HiSIDE design is compliant with process piping as outlined in ANSI/ASME B31.3
Code for Pressure Piping used for Chemical Plant and Refinery Piping. The design
ensures turbulent flow is induced in both the seawater and drilling mud inlet lines.
Baffles are positioned to direct the heavy fluid to commingle with the seawater. As a
result, both the seawater and the heavier drilling fluid enter the 8-inch (203 mm) mixing
body and begin mixing immediately. This is contradictory to the natural tendency of the
higher density fluid to channel through the lower density fluid. The sudden volume
change when entering the primary mixing chamber, changes velocity and allows for a
longer residence time which promotes further mixing.
As the partially mixed fluid exits the 8-inch (203 mm) mixing zone to the 6-inch (152
mm) discharge, re-circulation zones are created. Within the 6-inch (152 mm) outlet,
these re-circulation zones are optimized as the flow encounters each of the Westfall
Static Mixers. Aside from mixing, the Static Mixers have sheared the fluid with
calculated shear rates on the order of 4350 s-1, significantly higher than competing
technologies. As a result of this design, operators can be confident a homogenous fluid
is discharged from the unit.
Physically, the HiSIDE unit is approximately 60 inches (1524 mm) long by 37.25 inches
(946 mm) wide by 19.2 inches (488 mm) high and has a total dry weight of
approximately 307 lbs (139 kg). The main body of the unit is 8-inch (203 mm) in
diameter and serves as a primary mixing zone. Located at the 6-inch (152 mm) outlet
of the primary mixing zone are two inline stainless steel Westfall Static Mixers offset by
90 degrees to one another. Each mixer is installed in it own 6-inch (152 mm) pipe
section and the sections are held in place with 6-inch (152 mm) grooved couplings.
The three inlets are 6-inch grooved pipe connections that are fitted with a 6x4 inch
reducer and a 4-inch (102 mm) butterfly valve. The inlets may be configured to accept
any combination of 4, 6 or 8-inch (102, 152, 203 mm) piping using the necessary fittings
and either grooved or flanged connections.
The HiSIDE is shipped to client fully assembled for standard installation; this includes
the Mixing Body, one 6-inch (152 mm) grooved outlet, three 4-inch (102 mm) grooved
inlets and 2 pressure gauges. Note: The heavy fluid inlet contains internal flow baffles
and will be the marked top and bottom with the letter “H” welded in relief. Typically for
three fluid service, the three inlets are fitted with grooved butterfly valves.
Inlet
There are 3 inlet lines on the HiSIDE unit. For operation with 2 fluids, the optimal
configuration is to connect the heavy density fluid to the inlet marked with a welded
letter “H” and the lighter density fluid to the inlet opposite. With 3-fluid operation, the
fluid with the lower density and the lowest flow-rate should be connected to the middle
inlet. This is done to avoid creating a high density streamline through the middle of the
HiSIDE. NOTE: For all configurations, connect the heavy density fluid to the inlet
marked with a welded letter “H”.
Each inlet can be configured as either 4-inch (102 mm) or 6-inch (152 mm). This would
simply require removal of the 4x6 inch reducer however either configuration will require
a valve be fitted to control the flow. The unit comes standard with 4-inch (102 mm)
butterfly valves coupled to 4x6 inch concentric reducers. If the central line will not be
used, it is recommended that a cap be installed in place of the valve.
Installations can be done with hard pipe or flexible hose on both the inlet and outlet
ends. Operation of the unit will be more efficient with a flow meter installed on each line
to permit the operator to control the flows into the HiSIDE unit and thus generate the
correct output to the drilling fluids line. Please see the flow calculations in the
OPERATION section. Any flow meter should be installed as per the manufacturer’s
recommendations including minimum pipe lengths to accurately measure the flow.
Outlet
The HiSIDE outlet comprises a single 6-inch line with a grooved pipe connection. There
should be no flow disturbances for 5 pipe diameters (30-inches, 76 cm) down stream of
this connection. This outlet should connect directly into the drilling fluids line and go to
either a mud pit or a mud pump and down hole.
The HiSIDE unit should be placed on a level surface adjacent to the inlet and outlet
flow lines. This procedure assumes a 2-fluid blend using hose to connect the unit
inline with the supply and discharge lines comprising 6-inch flanges. The HiSIDE
unit has 4-inch inlets and a 6-inch outlet.
(NOTE: This assembly would not meet ANSI/ASME B31.3 requirements because
the code does not permit the use of hose materials.)
1. Two 6-inch flange-mounted flow meters. (Use Halliburton turbine meters with
EZ-Flow Totalizer or similar flanged unit.)
2. Two adapter spool pieces —consisting of one 6-inch weld neck 150# flange,
one welded concentric reducer 6x4 and one welded 4-inch nipple threaded on
one end.
3. Two 4-inch Type “D” female cam and groove to NPTF couplings – attach 2 to
threaded end of item 3.
4. Two lengths of 4-inch hose fitted with 4-inch Type “C” Couplers (Female) and 4-
inch Type “E” Adapters (Male).
5. Two 4-inch Nipples NPT to grooved end
6. Two cam and groove Male Type “A” Adapters. Attach to the threaded end of
item 5 above.
7. Two 4-inch grooved Type 77S Couplings and “T” type gaskets
8. Four 4-inch cam and groove type gaskets.
9. One 6-inch grooved to flange adapter.
10. Bolts, nuts and washers for the equipment above. Also required are extra long
studs, nuts and washers to mount the flow meters and one roll of tool wire.
This equipment assumes the outlet of the HiSIDE is connected directly to the 6-inch
piping for discharge and no flow meter is required on this end as the flow for both
inlets is accumulative.
Check the flow circuit several times to ensure the necessary valves are open
and the fluid has a place to go.
Check the pressure gauges are not damaged and they are functional.
The HiSIDE Mix on the Fly unit does not come standard with any electrical or
electronic equipment. It is intended to be placed in a piping system as a spool
however it may be installed with instrumentation that must be installed according to
manufacturer’s recommendations.
ATTENTION !
ATTENTION !
Prior to operation, installation personnel must confirm flow direction and conformance
with flow indicator arrow on the unit. Note: Heavy fluid, light fluid and brine lines should
be clearly marked.
Ensure all connections are secure and confirm that all hoses have a valid/current
inspection tag.
Open all valves upstream and downstream of the unit and activate pump on low setting.
For safety, increase pump-power in 20% intervals where possible, up to the desired flow
rates. Check connection integrity at each interval.
Check pressure gauges at each flow rate. Compare readings to normal operating
pressure and flow for each fluid pump.
Gather and consolidate all pressure and flow rate information from each pumping
device and record this information in a log-book for historical data.
Note density (ρof all fluids being mixed using a mud balance. Establish density of
blended fluids based on anticipated flow rates for each fluid using the flowing formula:
BR = brine,
Check density of blended fluid with mud balance to confirm this correlates with the
calculated value. If there is no correlation, this indicates there is a problem with the flow
indication of one or more of the inlet fluids.
Continually monitor density of blended fluid and adjust flow rates accordingly, to achieve
desired blended fluid density.
Once the mixing cycle is completed, continue to run at full flow for 15 minutes to clear
any buildup in the unit. Disengage pump and shut it down. Allow flow lines to gravity
drain into a tank or pit for disposal. Isolate the HiSIDE unit by closing all appropriate
valves.
Safety Tips:
Always wear PPE such as safety glasses, gloves, respirator and disposable coveralls
as required when operating the unit.
Never close valves down stream of HiSIDE unit when feed pump is running.
Example Calculations
Give the density of the two inlet fluids, the flow rate of the heavy fluid, and the density of
the discharge fluid. Determine the required flow rate of the Sea Water.
ρHDF = 16 ppg
ρBLENDED = 11 ppg.
600 GPM QSW
Please note that an overall flow of 1820.5 GPM is higher than the unit would normally
accommodate and could result in a dangerous situation. Therefore, you must adjust the
flow of the heavy fluid lower to generate the desired flows and densities. Example, the
maximum flow of the outlet should be 1600 GPM and the maximum flow for any one line
should be 800 GPM. Therefore, we need to adjust the flow based on the ratio of light
fluid to heavy. The ratio in the example above is approximately 2:1, meaning an
adjustment in flow should be 2 parts light fluid to 1 part heavy fluid. Assume a
maximum flow of 800 GPM light fluid (sea water) then the flow of heavy fluid should be
2:1 or 400 GPM for a total flow of 1200 GPM. This would be a safe situation. Redo the
above calculation using the flow of heavy fluid at 400 GPM, we get:
16 400GPM
8.542 ppg QSW
11 ppg ppg
400 GPM QSW
-2000 = 2.458 Q SW
For this equipment, all starting and stopping of flow will be done at the pump control
panels. The HiSIDE Mix on The Fly unit is capable of stopping flow by fully closing a
valve, this should never be done as it would cause problems with the pumps and
potentially a fluid release.
ATTENTION !
The HiSIDE Inline Mixing Unit is constructed of durable stainless steel and coated in
corrosion resistant clear coat requiring little maintenance. The only internal components
are the static mixer plates inside both the mixer body and the Westfall Static mixers.
These plate mixers are constructed of stainless steel and are not anticipated to require
maintenance. All components have been designed for extended, rugged offshore use.
Proper maintenance will ensure a long lifespan.
Tools Required
Personnel Required
All connections should be manually checked for leaks before and after each
mixing cycle.
The Westfall Static Mixers should be removed monthly for visual inspection, and
after each usage for cleaning. Replace as required.
The heavy fluid static mixers inside the mixer body should be visually inspected
weekly. Replace as required.
Before funning any fluid through this unit, ensure the fluid will not degrade the
valve seat materials. Should there be an issue with the fluid, check with
engineering to confirm suitability of the seat materials.
ATTENTION !