Roll No: 16PG-05 Date: 06-Feb-2018

PRACTICAL NO: 13

Object: To determine volume of water, oil and solid contained in drilling fluid by
using retort kit.

Apparatus: Spatula, Brush, Graduated Cylinder, Lid for mud, Sample cup, Crock
screw, Thread lubricant, Mud sample.

Theory: Retort Kit provides a mean for separating and measuring volume of water, oil
and solid contained in drilling fluid. A known volume of sample is heated to vaporize the
liquid components which are then condense and collect in a graduated cylinder. Liquid
volumes are determined from reading the oil and water phase on grade cylinder. The total
volume of solid both suspended and dissolved is obtained by rating the difference of total
sample volume verses the final liquid volume collected. Calculations are necessary to
determine the volume suspended solids will be retained in the retort.

Procedure:

1. Use the mud balance to determine the mud weight (A) we are using a different
mud to the one used before.)
2. Lift retort assembly out of heating compartment. Using the spatula as a screw
driver, remove the mud chamber from the retort and clean it.
3. Pack the upper chamber with steel wool and weight the empty retort with steel
wool and cup (B).
4. Fill mud chamber with mud and replace the lid, allowing the excess to escape.
5. Wipe the excess of mud.
6. Lubricate the retort threads using the high temperature lubricant.
7. Screw mud chamber into upper chamber and weight the retort with hole mud
(C).
8. Replace the retort in the heating compartment and put insulating cover in
place.
Roll No: 16PG-05 Date: 06-Feb-2018

9. Add a drop of wetting agent to the graduated cylinder and place under drain
port of condenser and then turn heater on by connecting the power cord.
10. Allow the retort to heat up until the pilot light goes out or wait 25 minutes and
unplug the power cord.
11. Read the collected volume of water and allow the retort to cool and reweight
the assembly with mud solids (D).
Formula:
Solid Fraction =1-fw x Cf-fo
where
fo= Oil Fraction (should be zero in our case).
fw= Water fraction
Cf= Correction factor Nacl is dissolved in the retort process and the correction
factor must be applied for the volume increase in the distilled water by dissolved
salt.

Result: 90% liquid is recovered of which 75% is salt water and 15% is oil and 10%
Solids are recovered by using retort kit.
Roll No: 16PG-05 Date: 06-Feb-2018