Tag Archives: Screen Mesh Size
How Does Screen Mesh Size Affect the Filtration Precision of Shaker Screens?
In drilling fluid solids control systems, the filtration precision of Shaker Screens largely depends on their mesh size. Mesh size, defined as the number of mesh openings per inch of length, is one of the key parameters determining the size of solid particles that can be separated.
For example, a rectangular Shale Shaker Screen labeled “50×40” indicates 50 openings per inch in the length direction and 40 in the width direction. Generally, a higher mesh size means the screen can remove finer particles.
The design of screen mesh size and opening diameter requires comprehensive consideration of various physical parameters such as drilling fluid viscosity, feed rate, and particle adhesion. Mud accumulation is prone to occur on high-tension screens, leading to mesh clogging and reduced screening efficiency. This highlights the importance of selecting the correct mesh size and structure based on the actual characteristics of the particles being processed.
In recent years, mesh opening shapes have gradually evolved from near-circular to elliptical, making it more complex to judge the separated particle size solely by “mesh size.” Therefore, the industry generally uses the “separation point” to auxiliary characterize screen performance, which is usually defined as the particle size where 50% of the particles are retained.
To help users make more accurate selections, manufacturers typically conduct a series of tests to determine the particle separation capacity of the screens and mark key performance indicators on product labels, providing objective basis for the selection of Shaker Screens.
