Real-time drilling-fluid monitor

A drilling-fluid circulation system comprising:

• (a) a bell nipple;
• (b) a flow line comprising a first flow-line section, a flow diverter, and a second flow-line section;
• (c) a drilling-fluid processing system comprising a process pit and a suction pit;
• (d) wherein the first flow-line section is positioned to the bell-nipple side of the flow diverter and the second flow-line section is positioned to the drilling-fluid-processing-system side of the flow diverter;
• and
• (e) wherein the flow diverter includes a first diverter line, a second diverter line, and a choke valve located in the first diverter line, wherein the choke valve is configured to selectively constrict flow of a drilling fluid through the first diverter line and the second diverter line is configured to handle flow of drilling fluid that is greater than that allowed to flow through the first diverter line.

A method for monitoring a drilling-fluid circulation system, the method comprising:

• (a) determining a first density of drilling fluid, wherein the first density is of the drilling fluid at a point in the circulation system between a drill bit and a drilling-fluid processing system for cleaning the drilling fluid and wherein the first density is determined using pressure measurements from a first pair of vertically separated pressure sensors;
• (b) determining a second density of drilling fluid, wherein the second density is of the drilling fluid at a point in the drilling-fluid processing system for cleaning the drilling fluid and wherein the second density is determined using pressure measurements from a second pair of vertically separated pressure sensors;
• and
• (c) comparing the first density to the second density.