Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cation exchange capacity titration unit comprising a titration cell having a closed bottom end in fluid communication with an open top end; a recirculation loop comprising a pump and a sensing unit, wherein the pump comprises a pump inlet in fluid communication with the bottom end of the titration cell, and a pump outlet in fluid communication with a sensing unit inlet, the sensing unit inlet being in fluid communication with a sensing unit outlet, wherein the sensing unit outlet is in fluid communication with the top end of the titration cell such that operation of the pump results in an analyte sample flowing from the bottom end through the pump, through the sensing unit, and back into the top end of the titration cell in a continuous loop. A method of determining the cation exchange capacity of a sample is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for automatically measuring a property of a fluid associated with a drilling application, including obtaining a sample of the fluid, wherein the sample of the fluid is obtained by directing the fluid through an electrode probe assembly comprising an electrode probe and depositing the fluid in a probe gap between electrodes of the electrode probe, ramping up a voltage applied to the electrodes of the electrode probe until a threshold current is obtained, recording the breakdown voltage at the threshold current value, and using the breakdown voltage to compute the property of the sample of the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the effects of mud chemistry and bit design on bit balling is disclosed The apparatus includes a replica bit coupled to a rotary drive and having at least one nozzle, a test container, a test formation located within the test container through which the replica bit will be drive, wherein the test formation includes a plurality of layers of pre-manufactured cuttings The apparatus further includes a lifting device applying a force to the bottom of the container to drive the test formation into the replica bit while the replica bit is rotating, a second container within which is a drilling fluid, and a pump for communicating drilling fluid from the container through a conduit to the replica bit.

Abstract: A screen test apparatus includes a test cell disposed within a pressure vessel, a piston disposed within the pressure vessel, wherein the piston is in sealing contact with an inner surface of the pressure vessel, and a screen assembly disposed in an end of the test cell. The screen assembly includes a mount collar, a screen disposed in the mount collar, and an end cap adjacent the screen which includes grooves in a face adjacent the screen and passages extending through the end cap, wherein the screen assembly is configured to fully support the screen while allowing a fluid to pass through the screen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cation exchange capacity titration unit comprising a titration cell having a closed bottom end in fluid communication with an open top end; a recirculation loop comprising a pump and a sensing unit, wherein the pump comprises a pump inlet in fluid communication with the bottom end of the titration cell, and a pump outlet in fluid communication with a sensing unit inlet, the sensing unit inlet being in fluid communication with a sensing unit outlet, wherein the sensing unit outlet is in fluid communication with the top end of the titration cell such that operation of the pump results in an analyte sample flowing from the bottom end through the pump, through the sensing unit, and back into the top end of the titration cell in a continuous loop. A method of determining the cation exchange capacity of a sample is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for automatically measuring a property of a fluid associated with a drilling application, including obtaining a sample of the fluid, wherein the sample of the fluid is obtained by directing the fluid through an electrode probe assembly comprising an electrode probe and depositing the fluid in a probe gap between electrodes of the electrode probe, ramping up a voltage applied to the electrodes of the electrode probe until a threshold current is obtained, recording the breakdown voltage at the threshold current value, and using the breakdown voltage to compute the property of the sample of the fluid.

Abstract: A screen test apparatus includes a test cell disposed within a pressure vessel, a piston disposed within the pressure vessel, wherein the piston is in sealing contact with an inner surface of the pressure vessel, and a screen assembly disposed in an end of the test cell. The screen assembly includes a mount collar, a screen disposed in the mount collar, and an end cap adjacent the screen which includes grooves in a face adjacent the screen and passages extending through the end cap, wherein the screen assembly is configured to fully support the screen while allowing a fluid to pass through the screen.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically detecting the degree of crystallization in a fluid sample while simultaneously measuring the temperature of the fluid sample during cooling or heating of the sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a test vial for containing a fluid sample in an interior of the vial, wherein the test vial is light permeable; a cooling source for cooling the fluid sample; a temperature sensor positioned in the interior of the test vial for measuring the temperature of the fluid sample; an external light source configured to direct light into the test vial; and an external light detector configured to measure the amount of light that traverses both the test vial and the fluid sample.

Abstract: A pressurized crystallization point test apparatus for pressurizing a fluid sample and optically detecting the degree of crystallization in the fluid sample while simultaneously measuring the temperature and change in volume of the fluid sample during cooling or heating of the sample is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a cell for containing a fluid sample in an interior of the cell, wherein the cell comprises a first transparent window and a second transparent window; a cooling source for cooling the fluid sample; a pressure source for pressurizing the fluid sample; a temperature sensor positioned in the interior of the cell for measuring the temperature of the fluid sample; an external light source configured to direct light into the cell through the first transparent window; and an external light detector configured to measure the amount of light that traverses the first transparent window, a portion of the fluid sample, and the second transparent window.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring sag properties of a drilling fluid using a rotary viscometer. An insert, or shoe, is placed at the bottom of the heat cup containing the fluid to be tested. A rotating cylinder is disposed within the fluid and solid particles are allowed to settle toward the bottom of the heat cup. The shoe incorporates a curved and inclined upper surface that directs the settled particles toward a well non-centrally located in the shoe. As the test is performed, fluid samples can be withdrawn from the well and analyzed. The samples can then be returned to the well and the test continued. The insert concentrates the settled solids into a single location, which increases the sensitivity of the test and provides a location for sample acquisition that is easily and repeatedly located, which allows for improved correlation with laboratory and flow loop results.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring sag properties of a drilling fluid using a rotary viscometer. An insert, or shoe, is placed at the bottom of the heat cup containing the fluid to be tested. A rotating cylinder is disposed within the fluid and solid particles are allowed to settle toward the bottom of the heat cup. The shoe incorporates a curved and inclined upper surface that directs the settled particles toward a well non-centrally located in the shoe. As the test is performed, fluid samples can be withdrawn from the well and analyzed. The samples can then be returned to the well and the test continued. The insert concentrates the settled solids into a single location, which increases the sensitivity of the test and provides a location for sample acquisition that is easily and repeatedly located, which allows for improved correlation with laboratory and flow loop results.