Use of Oil-Based Mud Cutting Waste in Cement Clinker Manufacturing

Oil-based Mud (OBM) cutting waste is generated during the process of oil well drilling. The drilled rocks are removed from deep within the drilled well and pumped to the surface. The portion removed , known at "cutting", is a mixture of rocks, mud, water and oil. Most drilling companies store this waste in open yards with no specific treatment solution. The environmental regulations in Oman specify that storage should involve isolation, to prevent penetration of the contamination to the surface and underground water. This has made OBM waste an environmental problem, with an associated cost for oil companies. OBM chemical analysis shows an interesting compositionthat may be used in cement manufacture. It has high calcium, silicon and aluminium contents, which are the major oxides in cement manufacture. Also the oil contents are useful for reducing the fuel used during the calcining and clinkerization process. In this research, the OBM waste has been analysed and used as a constituent of the raw meal for cement clinker production. The impact of OBM addition on the resultant clinker has also been investigated.