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 sample by inserting a thermometer into the sample
for 30+ seconds.

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.

μa = ρ (t - 25)

μa = apparent viscosity in centipoise

ρ = density in g/cm³

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 70°F is 26 (±0.5) seconds. (Test it)