PSD have considerable experience of the supply, use, cleaning and disposal of water based muds in the civil engineering and drilling industries.  We supply a wide choice of bentonite powders and have specialist mud additives for the control of rheological mud properties for bentonite, polymer and biodegradable mud systems.  

Most of our specialist mud products, such as viscosifiers, thinners, fluid loss reducers, friction reducers and pH modifiers are held in stock by us and are available for rapid dispatch for delivery within the UK by next day or standard courier service.  We can also make arrangements for air, sea or road transport to locations outside the UK.

Our solid grade products are normally packaged in 25kg sacks or 1 tonne big bags and our liquid grade products in 25kg drums, with the exception of POLYTHIN which is in 30kg drums.  Alternative packaging can often be provided to suit your requirements.

The links at the top will take you directly to the part of the page that you need.

There are many different types of bentonite powder including natural Sodium Montmorillonite clay, activated Calcium Montmorillonite clay and chemically or polymer enhanced clays.  Bentonite powders are available with yields from 60 to 200 barrels per ton.  The selection of the correct bentonite with the appropriate characteristics for the particular job will nearly always result in less problems and higher productivity, thereby lowering the overall production costs.

We can advise you on the selection and use of our bentonite and other products for your particular application.

Our CE Grade Bentonite is a relatively low cost product, being a sodium activated Bentonite of European origin, which has been processed to provide enhanced rheological properties.  CE GRADE has a yield of approximately 60 barrels per tonne and is specifically designed for use in civil engineering applications as a rheological modifier where higher mud density is an asset.  CE GRADE is packaged in 25 kg multi-wall water-resistant sacks or 1 tonne ‘big-bags’. It can be stored indefinitely provided dampness and extreme temperatures are avoided.

PSDGEL 120 is a high quality, enhanced Wyoming bentonite powder, which has been polymer enhanced to provide high viscosity and improved rheological properties.  PSDGEL 120 is specifically designed for use in pipejacking and horizontal drilling applications as a viscosifier and rheological modifier.  The product

• mixes easily.
• produces a 120 barrel minimum yield (approximately twice that of standard CE grade).
• becomes more stable over time.
• is suitable for use with specialist polymer mud additives such as viscosifiers, thinners or fluid loss reducers.

PSDGEL 120 is packaged in 25 kg multi-wall water-resistant sacks or 1 tonne ‘big-bags’. It can be stored indefinitely provided dampness and extreme temperatures are avoided.  This is a good choice of material where a quality mud or the use of specialist mud additives is required.

PSDGEL 180 is a high quality, enhanced Wyoming bentonite powder, which has been polymer enhanced to provide high viscosity and rheological properties.  PSDGEL 180 is specifically designed for use in pipejacking and horizontal drilling applications as a thickener and rheological modifier.  The product:

• mixes easily.
• produces a 180 barrel minimum yield.
• is susceptible to the effects of ground salts or other contaminants.

PSDGEL 180 is packaged in 25 kg multi-wall water-resistant sacks or 1 tonne ‘big-bags’. It can be stored indefinitely provided dampness and extreme temperatures are avoided.

RMB 150 is a high quality, OCMA grade sodium montmorillonite based clay, conforming to API Spec 13A Section 6. The yield of RMB 150 is a minimum of 150 barrels per ton.  RMB 150 is specifically designed for use in diaphragm walling, slurry shield tunnelling and horizontal drilling applications.  The product:

• mixes easily and yields quickly.
• has a guaranteed yield of 150 barrels.
• is suitable for use with polymer mud additives.

RMB 150 is packaged in 25kg multi-wall water-resistant sacks or 1200kg ‘big-bags’. It can be stored for up to 3 months if sealed in its original packaging, provided dampness and extreme temperatures are avoided.

We stock a broad range of viscosifiers, from synthetic polymers to natural vegetable based biodegradable products.  

CLAYCAP LIQUID is an excellent friction reducer and when added to water it forms an extremely slippy liquid that can be put to a variety of applications such as a lubricating fluid for pipejacking or caisson sinking.  CLAYCAP LIQUID also reduces swelling of clays and provides hole stabilisation and is thus an excellent choice of product.

CLAYCAP LIQUID may be used a friction reducing paint which is applied to the outside of concrete or steel pipes used in pipejacking.  It may also be used to coat directional drilling pipes prior to the pull back, particularly through clay or silty formations.  The use of CLAYCAP LIQUID in these applications will help to reduce the forces required to advance the pipe.

PSD's FLR POLYMER is a solid grade synthetic polymer, which is primarily used as a Fluid Loss Reducer in bentonite based muds. It is particularly effective in plain fresh water muds, polymer extended muds and in weighted muds where substantial reductions in fluid loss may be achieved with small additions of this polymer, typically less than 1.5kg/m³ of mud.

FLR POLYMER is supplied as a free flowing, powdered polymer, which dissolves quickly and easily in water without producing lumps or "fish eyes".  FLR POLYMER is packaged in 25kg sacks or re-sealable drums.

Potato Starch is used as a biodegradable fluid loss reducer in water based drilling applications.  Potato Starch conforms to OCMA DFCP-5 specifications for drilling starch in sea and salt saturated waters. Being a natural, organic product, disposal of Potato Starch does not normally present any problems, because of its non-toxic nature and its biodegradability.

POLYTHIN is a particularly effective mud thinner.  One of its major uses is for the thinning (and desanding) of muds in diaphragm walling, prior to concreting.  It is also highly useful for thinning heavily contaminated muds in directional drilling and slurry shield tunnelling applications.

POLYTHIN is extremely easy to mix and should be added directly to the mud at a point of turbulence, to ensure even distribution. The product is supplied in liquid form, packaged in 30kg re-sealable drums.

Flocculants

PSD have a wide range of flocculants, called POLYFLOC.  These include:

In addition we supply primary coagulants and pH reducers.

We can help to identify the best products for your application.  Visit the Mud testing pages of our website for information on this service.