Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum

Technology
Drilling Fluids Testing & Cementation Laboratory
Date:

Experiment No.1
Name of Experiment: Determination of Marsh-Funnel-viscosity

Objective: To find out the viscosity of given sample by Marsh funnel

Equipments/Instruments: Marsh funnel and cup, mug, stirrer, stopwatch.
Test Procedure:
1. using the graduated cup, take a sample of mud from the flow line or mud
pit.
2. Determine the temperature of the mud
thermometer into the sample for 30+ seconds.

sample

by

inserting

3. Make a note of the temperature.

4. Hold the marsh funnel in an upright position with your index finger over
the bottom outlet.
5. Pour the mud sample through the screen into the marsh funnel until the
mud level just reaches the underside of the screen.
6. Immediately remove your finger from the bottom outlet, and begin timing
with a stopwatch.
7. Measure the number of seconds required for one quart (or liter) of the
sample to flow from the marsh funnel into the graduated cup.

Test Results: Record funnel viscosity in seconds (sec) API.

Reporting Results
Record the funnel viscosity on the API Standard Drilling Mud Report as
follows:
Seconds per quart at X F (API Standard); or
Seconds per 946 cc at X F.
While the most common use is for drilling muds, which are non-Newtonian
fluids, the Marsh funnel is not a rheometer, because it only provides one
measurement under one flow condition. However the effective viscosity can
be determined from following simple formula.
a = (t - 25)
a = apparent viscosity in centipoise

 = density in g/cm
t = quart funnel time in seconds

Care & Safety Instructions:

Marsh-Funnel and -Cup have to be clean and dry before starting.

Check the Marsh-Funnels nozzle every day if clean and without
precipitations.
Take special care not to bend or flatten the special brass orifice in the
bottom of the funnel.
Clean & dry thoroughly after each use.

Remarks: Time of efflux for a quart of clean fresh water at 70F is 26 (0.5)
seconds. (Test it)