Trough Screw Conveyor for Transport of Offshore Drilling Mud

Trough screw conveyor for transport of offshore drilling mud designed and manufactured for use on a drilling rig.

What is a trough screw conveyor?

• Unlike a tubular screw conveyor, a trough screw conveyor is made from steel plates that are rolled or bent to form a housing around the screw rotor
• A trough screw conveyor typically has a U-shaped contour, but variations with other contours are possible depending on the material to be conveyed
• A trough screw conveyor can be equipped with covers on top, either bolted or hinged, making it possible to open the entire screw for service or cleaning
• Compared to a tubular screw conveyor, there are more options for cover solutions and design features that allow cleaning and inspection of 100% of the internal area
• Compared to pipes, there are more possibilities for using different steel grades in plate construction to achieve specific material properties when required
• Compared to a tubular screw conveyor, there are more design possibilities for a trough screw conveyor

What is special about this trough screw conveyor for offshore drilling mud?

• The trough screw conveyor is long – approx. 27,000 mm – and equipped with specially designed intermediate bearings to withstand the harsh environment
• The screw flights are manufactured in Hardox material to increase service life
• Raised inlet sections have been manufactured for the trough screw conveyor where it receives drilling mud
• A special gearbox has been designed to reposition the gear motor due to space constraints on the installation

What has BEMA’s role been in this solution?

• BEMA carried out the complete design of the trough screw conveyor in collaboration with the customer, who provided all interface dimensions
• BEMA manufactured the trough screw conveyor in-house and executed a quality activity plan in collaboration with the end customer
• After manufacturing, BEMA performed FAT and test run in cooperation with the customer
• Handled packing and shipment of the trough screw conveyor to the final destination
• Prepared a dedicated documentation package matching offshore application requirements

This trough screw conveyor was delivered together with a rotating trough screw conveyor (also known as a swivel screw conveyor). Read about a rotating trough screw conveyor here.

FAQ: Trough Screw Conveyor for Transport of Offshore Drilling Mud

What is a trough screw conveyor, and how does it differ from a tubular screw conveyor?

A trough screw conveyor is made from rolled or bent steel plates forming an open trough around the screw rotor. Unlike a tubular screw conveyor, it offers more options for cover solutions, inspection, cleaning, and material selection when specific requirements apply.

What makes this trough screw conveyor suitable for offshore drilling mud?

This model is approximately 27 meters long and equipped with specially designed intermediate bearings that can withstand harsh offshore conditions. The screw flights are made of Hardox to increase wear resistance, and raised inlet sections are designed for receiving drilling mud. Additionally, the gear motor is repositioned using a custom gearbox to meet space constraints.

How are operational reliability and long service life ensured?

The combination of Hardox flights, robust intermediate bearings, and a design adapted to offshore requirements ensures high operational reliability. The trough design allows full internal inspection and service access, reducing downtime and extending service life.

What role has BEMA played in the project?

BEMA was responsible for complete design, manufacturing, quality planning, FAT testing, packing, and delivery. A dedicated documentation package was also prepared to meet offshore application requirements.