GN Solids Control has successfully delivered a decanter centrifuge treatment system for an oilfield wastewater treatment project in Africa. Designed to handle complex oilfield waste streams, this system integrates mixing, centrifugal separation, chemical dosing, and clean water recovery modules, providing an efficient and reliable solution for wastewater reduction, solids removal, and water reuse in demanding field conditions.
Oilfield wastewater in Africa often contains fine solids, residual oil, chemical additives, and high salinity, making treatment challenging with conventional settling methods. GN’s decanter centrifuge system addresses these challenges through a compact, modular design that ensures stable performance, high separation efficiency, and ease of installation on remote job sites.
The system begins with a mixing module, where incoming wastewater is homogenized to ensure consistent feed conditions. This module is equipped with heavy-duty agitators and transfer pumps that prevent solids settling and allow for uniform distribution of chemicals. Proper mixing is essential to stabilize the feed slurry and maximize the effectiveness of downstream separation.
At the core of the system is the GN decanter centrifuge module, engineered for continuous solid-liquid separation. The high-speed rotating bowl generates strong centrifugal force to separate fine solids from the wastewater efficiently. The centrifuge is designed with wear-resistant materials and protective liners to handle abrasive particles commonly found in oilfield waste streams. With adjustable differential speed and optimized scroll design, the centrifuge can adapt to changing feed properties while maintaining consistent discharge of dewatered solids.
To further enhance separation performance, the system incorporates a chemical dosing module. This automated unit accurately injects flocculants or coagulants into the wastewater stream, promoting particle agglomeration and improving solids capture efficiency. By combining chemical treatment with centrifugal separation, the system achieves lower residual solids in the clarified water and produces drier solids for easier handling and disposal.
Following separation, the clean water recovery and transfer module collects clarified water from the centrifuge and pumps it to storage tanks, reuse systems, or discharge points. The recovered water can be reused for drilling operations, equipment washing, or other on-site applications, significantly reducing freshwater consumption and operating costs. This closed-loop approach supports sustainable oilfield operations and helps operators comply with increasingly strict environmental regulations.
The entire system is built with a modular skid-mounted structure, allowing for fast transportation, installation, and commissioning. This is particularly important for African oilfield projects, where logistics and site access can be challenging. GN’s standardized modules reduce on-site assembly time while ensuring reliable operation under harsh environmental conditions.
With this project, GN Solids Control once again demonstrates its capability to deliver customized wastewater treatment solutions for the global oil and gas industry. By integrating mechanical separation with chemical treatment and water recovery, GN’s decanter centrifuge system helps oilfield operators reduce waste volume, lower disposal costs, and improve environmental compliance.
GN continues to support oilfield wastewater treatment projects worldwide with proven technology, robust equipment design, and professional engineering support.