Apparatus and Methods for Automated Drilling Fluid Analysis System

A mobile, automated drilling fluid analysis system that continuously performs analysis tests in sequence and periodically at timed intervals, and stores the data in a database, comprising:

• a housing disposed on a mobile frame and configured for connections to electrical power, and a fluid conduit system from and to a drilling fluid reservoir;
• a computer system disposed within the housing and configured with non-volatile storage, a communications interface to a network, and a suite of program software for controlling operations of the analysis system to measure, analyze, store, communicate, and compose output displays, summaries, and reports thereof through graphical peripherals and remote connections to the system;
• and
• an automated test unit enclosed within the housing and coupled through a manifold to the fluid conduits system, the automated test unit having a dual, motor-driven turntable including a first turntable for measuring physical parameters and a second turntable for measuring chemical parameters;
• and
• a metering mechanism for depositing drilling fluid samples pumped through the fluid conduits from the drilling fluid reservoir into test containers on the first or second turntables;
• wherein
• the automated test unit provides for receiving, sensing, and measuring multiple physical and chemical parameters of the drilling fluid samples in a prescribed, continuous sequence according to analysis routines of the program software and compiling the analyzed parameters for storage or display.