Automated march funnel for oil and gas field operations

An automated method for determining Marsh funnel time and drilling mud weight, comprising:

• transferring a first predetermined amount of a drilling mud via at least one conduit from a holding tank to a Marsh funnel every 2 to 30 minutes, wherein the first predetermined amount is dispensed via opening and closing of an intake valve between the at least one conduit and the Marsh funnel under the control of an electronic controller in communication with a fluid level sensor,
• wherein a first half of the first predetermined amount of drilling mud is taken from a 20 vol. % of drilling mud in an upper end of the holding tank and a second half is taken from a 20 vol. % of drilling mud in a lower end of the holding tank and mixed prior to dispensing via the intake valve between the at least one conduit and the Marsh funnel;
• releasing a second predetermined amount of drilling mud in the Marsh funnel from an automated valve at a lower end of the Marsh funnel under the control of the electronic controller in communication with a second fluid level sensor or time sensor that measures a time for the second predetermined amount of drilling mud to leave the Marsh funnel (Marsh funnel time);
• weighing the second predetermined amount of drilling mud on an automated weighing device in communication with the electronic controller,
• thereby determining a Marsh funnel time and a drilling mud weight of the second predetermined volume of drilling mud;
• transmitting the Marsh funnel time and the drilling mud weight to an electronic data processor;
• displaying, indicating, receiving or recording of the Marsh funnel time and weight of the second predetermined amount of drilling mud on a screen or other output device;
• and
• cleaning and/or drying the Marsh funnel and the automated weighing device prior to a subsequent automated transfer of a third predetermined amount of a drilling mud into the Marsh funnel by releasing a residual mud in the Marsh funnel by reopening the automated valve at the lower end of the Marsh funnel after the second predetermined amount of drilling mud has been weighed, opening at least one cleaning valve which dispenses a cleaning liquid and/or a gas through at least one aperture into the Marsh funnel and/or over the automated weighing device or which removes drilling mud by vacuum, and reclosing the automated valve at the bottom of the Marsh funnel after cleaning and/or drying,
• wherein the electronic controller opens and closes the intake valve between the conduit and Marsh funnel, the automated valve at the bottom of the Marsh funnel, and the at least one cleaning valve.