MUD Testing Equipments

The viscometer is a direct-reading instrument for evaluating the rheological properties of fluids, Newtonian and Non- Newtonian. The test fluid is contained in the annular space or shear gap between the cylinders. Rotation of the outer cylinder at known velocities is accomplished through precision gearing.

The viscous drag exerted by the fluid creates a torque on the inner cylinder or bob. This torque is transmitted to a precision spring where its deflection is measured and then related to the test conditions and instrument contains.

The rotary speed of 3,6,100,200,300,600 RPM, the apparatus can measure all kinds of rheological parameter, draw flow curve according to the multi-point measure data, determine the flow pattern of liquid during flow behaviour, choose the proper formula and take the comparatively accurate measurement for Non-Newtonian fluids.

When there is relative motion between two contacting bodies, frictional forces that resist motion always come into play. Frictional resistance to rotation of the drill string is called torque, and is especially enhanced when drilling a deviated hole. Many different materials, such as graphite, fine mica, and diesel or crude oil, have been used as mud additives to improve lubricity.

Since evaluation of the various materials cannot realistically be done on the drilling rig, a lubricity test was designed to simulate the speed of rotation of the drill pipe and the pressure with the pipe bears against the wall of the hole.

Combination of EP and lubricity tester is a high-quality instrument used to measure the lubricity quality of the drilling fluids, provide data to evaluate the type and quality of drilling fluids, provide data to evaluate the type and quality of lubricating additives that may be required, and predict wear rates of mechanical parts in known fluid systems.

The Fluid Loss Test Assembly provides a reliable means of determining the fluid loss characteristics of an oil well cement. Fluid Loss Testers measure fluid loss of cement slurries, drilling fluids, and fracturing fluids under elevated pressure and temperature conditions

A fluid-loss test determines the relative effectiveness of a cement slurry to retain its water phase or to lose a portion of its water phase as a filtrate to the formation. Insufficient fluid loss control can result in the cement slurry dehydrating and bridging off the annulus,

Preventing the slurry from being pumped to its final location and leaving excess cement in the casing.

API Filter press is the most effective means of determining the filtration properties of drilling muds and cement slurries.

It consists of a mud reservoir mounted in a frame, a pressure source, a filtering medium, and a graduated cylinder for receiving and measuring filtrate.The basic unit has a cell assembly constructed of Stainless Steel and includes the required screen and gaskets.

Working pressure is 100 psig and the filtering area is 7.1in2, as specified in the American Petroleum Institute.

This instrument measures the stuck tendency coefficient with the timed filtrate test. The differential sticking tester was designed to determine how likely a given drilling fluid will be to produce a stuck pipe situation and how effective a given drilling fluid treatment or application of spotting fluid in any given drilling fluid treatment or application of spotting fluid in any given drilling fluid would be in reducing this tendency.

This measurement is called the stuck tendency coefficient. It takes into account both the stickiness and the cake building capability of the drilling fluid. The stuck tendency coefficient is determined by the timed filtrate test.

The Electrical Stability (ES) of an oil-based drilling fluid is a property related to its emulsion stability and oil wetting ability.

The Emulsion Stability Tester determines ES by applying a precision voltage-ramped sinusoidal signal across a pair of parallel flat plate electrodes that are immersed in the fluid

The emulsion stability tester has:

API recommended sine wave circuitry

Symmetry of the sinusoidal signal inhibits the build up of solids on the electrode faces and enhances reproducibility.

Push button automatic voltage ramping at a fixed ramp rate Includes meter, probe electrode, calibration standards, and four 9-volt alkaline batteries.

Most drilling fluid formulations contain a base liquid and additives which must be dissolved or mechanically dispersed into the liquid to form a homogenous fluid.

The resulting fluid may contain one or more of the following: water-dispersible (soluble) polymers or resins, clays or other insoluble but dispersible fine solids, and soluble salts.

Hamilton Beach Mixers, are recommended for use in general purpose mixing of drilling fluids in preparation for laboratory tests of mud materials. The Three-Spindle Model has independent speed controls for each spindle. These mixers can also be used to mix cement for field or laboratory testing.

The High Temperature High Pressure (HTHP of HPHT) Filter Press is designed to evaluate the filtration characteristics of drilling fluids, cement slurries, fracturing fluids, and completion fluids under elevated temperatures and pressures.

The main Features are:

• Field portable
• A controlled pressure source
• A high-pressure test cell
• A temperature controlled heating jacket for heating the test cell
• Back pressure receiver with CO₂ assembly
• Safety retainer pins
• Safety valves protect against over pressurization
• Improved CO₂ puncturing mechanism
• Easily configured for other filter devices and pressurization

The Mud balance provides a simple, practical method for accurate determination of density.

The diet-cast moulded mud balance is engineered so that the mud cup at one end of the beam is balanced by a fixed counterweight at the other end, with a sliding-weight rider that moves along a graduated scale.

A level bubble is mounted on the beam to ensure accurate balancing

The features are as follow:

• Full size, full scale mud balance
• Can be easily cleaned
• Accurate density analysis
• Includes rugged carrying case

The Marsh Funnel viscometer is used to obtain an indication of the relative viscosity of drilling fluids.

It is calibrated to outflow one quart of fresh water.

Features:

The Marsh funnel viscometer is moulded from tough, durable plastic that resists breaking or cracking with bras orifice positioned to assure consistency in all readings.

The instrument is used to measure the sand content in drilling mud. Separates the sand by the water from the drilling fluid.

The Retort provides a method for measuring the percentage of oil, water, and solids (suspended and dissolved) contained in a sample of water-based or oil-based drilling fluids and cuttings.

Knowledge of oil, water, and solid content is fundamental to proper control of mud properties when considering oil/water ratios, rheology, density, filtration, and salinity. Knowledge of solids in drilling fluids is essential to evaluation of viscosity control and solids control equipment.

Features are as follows:

• Rugged, stainless steel carrying case
• Electronic temperature control
• Improves accuracy and readability
• Provides better reproducibility
• Ultimate in portability
• Small footprint if used in laboratory
• Accurate, tamper proof temperature controller
• Includes all accessories necessary to run a test

Methylene Blue Test (MBT) is routinely used to analyse foundry molding sands and many other industrial clay applications.

The MBT Kit measures the total exchange capacity of a clay system and determines the reactive solids content of fluids. The test measures the capacity of a clay to absorb cations from solution where exchangeable cations on the clay surfaces are replaced by methylene blue cations. The more ions the clay can exchange for methylene blue cations, the more reactive the clay, and the greater the swelling potential.

Only the reactive portions of the clay are involved, and other materials present, such as sand, limestone, barite, etc. do not absorb methylene blue.

When only a single clay type is present, an accurate estimate of the reactive clay content can be made. When unknown clay mixtures are present, the method offers a reasonable estimate of the predominate clay mineral and the purity of the sample.

The Hydrometer Kit measures the true specific gravity of liquids in the range of 0.700 to 2.000 specific gravity.

The kit consists of eight 265 mm / 10.5″ glass hydrometers and a thermometer range -30° to 120°F in 1° divisions, all packed in a protective foam-lined carrying case. The hydrometer scale is standardized at 60°F.

For maximum efficiency, special hydrometer cylinders are available in 250 mL and 500 mL sizes. Other specific gravity ranges and types of hydrometers are available upon request.

The Calcimeter accurately and quickly determines if scale build up is composed of calcium carbonate.

The calcite to dolomite content of the unknown sample aids in determining which chemical treating program to implement.

The entire test procedure requires 15 to 30 minutes for both calcite and dolomite determination.

This device is used for the separation of fluids, gas or liquid, based on density.

Separation is achieved by spinning a vessel containing material at high speed;

The centrifugal force pushes heavier materials to the outside of the vessel.

Lab pH meter is an electric device used to measure hydrogen-ion activity (acidity or alkalinity) in solution.

Fundamentally, a pH meter consists of a voltmeter attached to a pH-responsive electrode and a reference (unvarying) electrode.

When the two electrodes are immersed in a solution, they act as a battery.

A device to measure density (weight) of a mud, cement or other liquid or slurry under sufficient pressure that the effect of gas bubbles in the liquid is eliminated.

The balance consists of a fixed-volume mud cup on one end of a graduated beam and a counterweight on the other end.

The Shearometer is the primary measuring device used in the determination of the gel strength of a drilling fluid.

The set consists of a stainless steel sample cup with a graduated scale mounted vertically in the center of the cup base and two hollow shear tubes.

The Thermocup is designed for controlling the temperature of a mud sample while taking readings with a viscometer.

The holes in the stage of PETROPATH Viscometers have been positioned to hold the heated cups at a 45° angle to the line of the instrument for better accommodation of thermometers and power cables.

A removable stainless steel cup (included) makes cleaning safer and easier.

A top pan or top loading balance is an instrument used to weigh solid materials when perfectly accurate measurements aren’t necessary.

Most top pans have 0.1-gram to 0.001-gram precision and weighing capacities of 500 grams and above.

They allow the user to quickly and accurately measure the mass of a substance to a level of accuracy impossible for traditional balances to achieve.