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ANALYSIS
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butane and pentane plus heavier molecular-weight hydro-
carbons. These hydrocarbon vapors may be reported in
parts per million of mud volume.
Fig. 2 is a perspective drawing of the Steam Still. The
essential parts include (1) the boiler, (2) the mud and
steam mixing chamber, and (3) the condenser. Small sam-
ples - usually 5 ml - of drilling mud are injected with a
syringe into the Steam Still through a check valve at the
base of the mixing chamber. The sample of mud is swept
by steam vapor about 1,000 times its own volume. Con- ~------------------------C5+
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centrated hydrocarbon vapor is collected in a syringe
through a port located at the top center of the condenser.
The gas sample is then introduced into the chromatograph ~==~===========----nC4
where the various components are accurately measured.
The efficiency of the Steam Still does not fluctuate (which
is an inherent disadvantage with the mechanical separators) .
Gas readings are not influenced by changes in drilling-mud Fig. 3-A comparison of chromatograms obtained from
properties. The Steam Still makes possible a log of the true different gas separators. The lower chromatogram is an
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LITH.
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