What is the top fill pump and what are the requirements?
The EC-Drill® topfill system ensures continuous mud flow in the riser by pumping fluid into the top, supporting stable pressure and circulation during drilling.
EC-Drill® takes suction from below the level of the fluid in the riser. This leaves a column of mud above the pump suction that would be static without the use of the top fill pump. The topfill pump takes suction from the active system and puts fluid at a controlled rate into the top of the riser, normally at the diverter housing. The SPM then returns both the fluid being pumped down the drillstring and the flow from the topfill pump. This causes a downward flow of fresh mud from active above the subsea SPM.
The required pump is normally placed such that it can take gravity feed from the active system and is controllable to a rate of 200-1200 lpm (50 – 320 gpm). It is commonly connected with the rig’s drilling control system and controlled by the driller.
The required pump is normally placed such that it can take gravity feed from the active system and is controllable to a rate of 200-1200 lpm (50 – 320 gpm). It is commonly connected with the rig’s drilling control system and controlled by the driller.