17-06-2025

Dry, drier, driest: advanced solids control with the RD1500E

For decades, our recycling units have been robust workhorses in Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). However, the industry moves fast. Our clients face difficult soil conditions, tighter deadlines and a growing demand for smart, high-capacity equipment. These challenges push us to rethink even the equipment that still does the job. And that’s exactly what led to our latest line of recycling units: the RD1500E. Designed for maximum dryness and cleaner separation – making every metre drilled count.

Understanding solids control

Before we dive deeper into the RD1500E, let’s briefly consider the role of a recycling unit. HDD relies on a continuous flow of drilling fluid, or ‘mud’, to lubricate the drill string, stabilise the borehole, and bring cuttings to the surface. Without a proper solids removal system, this mud quickly becomes loaded with solids like sand, clay, and rock fragments – making it unusable.

That’s why the recycling unit is indispensable. It’s a sophisticated system designed to clean and recondition used drilling fluid for reuse. This process involves multiple stages: initial screening to remove larger debris, followed by desanding and desilting hydro cyclones that separate finer particles, and shaker screens that vibrate to further filter solids from the liquid.

The drier the solids, the better. Cleaner mud protects your pumps, drill pipe, and drill bits, reduces rig wear, and cuts down disposal costs. Removing solids is essential to restore the mud’s carrying capacity – so the fluid pumped downhole can effectively transport cuttings back to the surface. Dry output is also far easier – and cheaper – to handle on site.

Focusing on the core of solids control

Our recycling units have always been rugged and operator-proof – simple to use, easy to maintain. That no-nonsense approach still guides our design choices today.

But we don’t innovate for the sake of it. We act when the field demands it. So when Welvreugd – pioneers in fully electric drilling – asked us for a compact electrical unit with faster setup, higher throughput, extra capacity for sandy soils using two 10” cones, and a lower noise profile to match their silent sites… we knew it was time to reconsider our own-builds.

“I’m thrilled with SiteTec’s design incorporating our High G Linear Motion Shaker.”

Partnering with Derrick Corporation

If you want top-notch solids control, you go to the heart of the system: the hydrocyclones and shaker screens. So we teamed up with the best: Derrick. Their high-performance shakers are a benchmark in the industry, and their commitment to quality matches ours.

But choosing Derrick was just the first step. Next came the real challenge: could we integrate 10” cones and a high-G shaker in one line without compromising on performance or flexibility? Alongside our steel partner Consmema, we set to work. Derrick stayed closely involved throughout the design phase. Their Global Civil Manager, Ben Clark, even visited our facility to inspect progress in person.

“I’m thrilled with SiteTec’s design incorporating our High G Linear Motion Shaker. One machine, serving as both a scalping shaker and mud cleaner, can outperform other multi-shaker setups on the market. It’s a game changer. I look forward to continuing this partnership and seeing SiteTec customers benefit from our innovative screening technology in the field.”

While this initial feedback was overwhelmingly positive, as Ben says, ultimately it’s the end user who decides whether this is the game-changer they need.

Putting the RD1500E to the test

The RD1500E was first tested on Welvreugd’s own terrain in Westgaag. Surrounded by greenhouses and farmland. Everything from vehicles to chargers is electric here – a Dutch frontrunner in sustainable operations.

The goal was to run the unit extensively, to truly understand its performance under pressure. Our engineers worked side-by-side with Welvreugd’s crew, monitoring flow, separation quality and dryness. Some adjustments were needed – as always in development. We tweaked the fluid flow and screen setup. Derrick engineers supported us again, fine-tuning shaker performance. This back-and-forth made the RD1500E field-ready.

“He’s running like a charm now! I gave it a quick rinse and everything’s working perfectly. What a brilliant bit of kit.”

Proving performance in the field

The Derrick shaker handled mixed ground well, but sand was the real test. On the jobsite in Hasselt, reaming had just begun. At first, things got tricky. Heavy slurry. Full cones. Shaker under high load. Screens blinded fast so we tried coarser meshes, adjusted the fluid, tweaked the settings. Could we get it dryer?

Thanks to the modular design – each cone manyfold has its own pump – we could adapt quickly. A built-in blower gave extra power when needed. No external add-ons. No loose parts. Together with drilling supervisor Jan Koster, we tried different mesh combinations – balancing flow, pressure, and dryness.

The phone call we received shortly after confirmed the breakthrough. “He’s running like a charm now! I gave it a quick rinse and everything’s working perfectly. What a brilliant bit of kit.” Jan reported enthusiastically. Jan’s seen a lot of equipment in his career – so that feedback mattered. The RD1500E was now performing exactly as intended.

Second RD1500E ordered

The RD1500E runs much quieter, uses less power, and is easier to move. The most compelling proof came from Aart Vreugdenhil, Welvreugd’s purchaser. At first, he was ready to order another standard SiteTec unit – a solid choice, based on experience. But after seeing the RD1500E in action?

“We had doubts – stick with the standard or go with the new RD1500E? No doubt anymore. The first-gen R1500 is solid, but this? This is something else. Less noise, and far lower power consumption.”

The RD1500E will soon be available in our rental fleet. Built in the field. With engineers, drillers, and suppliers working together. Because solids control isn’t just about what comes out, it’s about everything that goes in.