University of zakho

Collage of engineering
Petroleum department
Third stage

Drilling Engineering lab

Experiment NO. 4
Funnel Viscosity test

Prepared by: Ahmed Amir Ali

Supervised by: Mr. Ali

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 Content
Subject Page No.

1. Introduction …………………………………………………..3

2. aim …………………………………………………………... 3

3. theory………………………………………………………….4

4. test equipment……………………………………………….…5

5. calibration…………………………………………………….6

6. Procedure ………………………………...………………….. 6

7. calculation……………………………………………………..7

8. discussion ……………………………………………………..8

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 1. Introduction:

The marsh funnel is made of break-resistant plastic and has a fixed

orifice with a specified diameter. A fixed mesh near the top across
half the cone avoids the orifice getting blocked by greater particles.
The high-impact plastic measuring cup is designed specifically for use
with marsh funnel viscometer and has scales in cubic centimeter and
fluid ounces. The marsh funnel viscosity respectively the funnel flow
time is the ratio of the speed of the sample fluid as it passes through
the orifice to the amount of force that is causing the fluid to flow. The
marsh funnel viscosity is reported as the number of seconds required
for 946 cm³ of sample fluid to flow out of a full marsh funnel. Marsh
funnel.

2. Aim
To determine of the change of the viscosity of drilling mud.

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 3. Theory:
The viscosity of a fluid is defined as its resistance to flow. The desired viscosity
for a particular drilling operation is influenced by several factors, including mud
density, hole size, pumping rate, drilling rate, pressure system and requirements,
and hold problems.
For field measurements, the marsh funnel has become the standard instrument.
For laboratory, the Fann V-G meter, a direct indicating rotational multi-speed
instrument has become the standard, allowing measurements of plastic
viscosity, yield point, gel strength to be made.
Normally most of the drilling fluids are non-Newtonian in nature and exhibit
different viscosities at different flow rates. Pitt (2000) introduced a new formula
to measure the effective viscosity by Marsh Funnel
He showed the flow behavior of a Marsh Funnel that is numerically simulated
to get a general picture of the meaning of the Marsh Funnel time. He developed
a correlation allowing this to be converted into a value for effective viscosity.
For field use, the following equation is obtained as;
= 𝜌𝑀(𝑡𝑀 − 25)
 
Where: -
𝜇𝑒 = Effective viscosity
𝜌𝑀 = density of mud, g/cc
𝑡𝑀= the Marsh Funnel (quart) time, sec
 

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 4. Test equipment:

The Marsh Funnel is a device that is common to every drilling rig. Details of the
Marsh Funnel and receiving cup are shown in Figure 2. The standard funnel is
12" long, has a 6" diameter at the top and a 2" long, 3/16" diameter tube at the
bottom. A mud sample is poured into the funnel and the time taken for one quart
(946 ml) to flow out into a measuring cup is recorded (Fresh water at 75°F has a
funnel viscosity of 26 sec/quart.). The viscosity is reported in seconds allowed
to flow out of the funnel. API specifications call for 1500 ml and one quart (946
ml) out.

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4. Calibration:
Fill the funnel to the bottom of the screen (1500ml) with water at 70F (plus or
minus 0.5F) time of out flow of the quart (946ml) should be 26 seconds plus or
minus 1/2second.

5. Procedure:

 With the funnel in an upright position, cover the orifice with a finger and
pour the freshly collected mud sample through the screen into a clean,
dry funnel until the fluid level reaches the bottom of the screen (1500
ml).
 Immediately remove the finger from the outlet and measure the time
required for the mud to fill the receiving vessel to the 1-quart (946 ml)
level.
 Report the result to the nearest second as Marsh Funnel Viscosity at the
temperature of the measurement in degrees Fahrenheit or Centigrade.

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 6. Calculation:

ρ1v1 + ρ2v2 = ρf vf

Readings: v1=1265ml m2=732g

ρ1=1g/cc ρ1=4.3g/cc
ρ2 = (w2 )/v2 v2 = (w2 )/(ρ2 ) v2 =732g/(4.3g/cc)= 170.23cc

vf =v1+v2 vf=1265cc+170.23cc = 1435.23cc

(1g/cc* 1265cc)+(4.3g/cc*170.23cc)= ρf * 1435.23cc

ρf = 1.39g/cc

Mud density=1.39g/cc
Time =27.5s

𝜇𝑒 = (𝑡𝑀 − 25)
𝜇𝑒=1.39(27.5-25)
𝜇𝑒=3.475cp

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 7. Discussion:

Q1) what are the application of funnel viscosity?

The funnel is a simple device for measuring viscosity by observing the time it
takes a known volume of liquid to flow from a cone through a short tube. It is
standardized for use by mud engineers to check the quality of drilling mud

Q2) what is mash in the funnel used for?

It is used to for preventing large particles to enter the orifice of the funnel and
close the outlet.
Q3) descript useful the screen over the top of funnel?
Mesh screen covers half of the top and is designed to remove any foreign matter
and drilled cuttings from the fluid.

Q4) What is the benefit of the mash in the field?

Mash is an important instrument that is being used in the oil field to determine
the time require to pass 946ml of the mud mixture to pass through it to
determine effective mud viscosity accurately and quickly.

Q5) Would you describe a main error cause get in the funnel test?
There will be a big error if the fluid contains solid particles because this will
cause the prolonging of time of discharge of the fluid from the fennel.

Q6) What is the main function of the funnel viscosity?

The funnel is a simple device for measuring viscosity by observing the time it
takes a known volume of liquid to flow from a cone through a short tube. It is
standardized for use by mud engineers to check the quality of drilling mud.