Slurry viscometer
AssigneeShell Mining Company
InventorFadel F. Erian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method are provided for measuring apparent viscosities of conventional as well as unconventional slurries. In particular, slurries which utilize supercritical liquid CO.sub.2 as a carrier fluid can be tested at a variety of concentrations and particle size distributions. The method is capable of forming the slurry mixture and maintaining the solids in relatively uniform suspension. A sensing element, which is a vibrating-rod, is used as a viscosity detector.
Claims16
An apparatus for measuring slurry viscosity, comprising:
- a vessel defining a closed loop flow path which is formed by at least one chamber within the vessel, the chamber having a top, bottom and sides, with the top and bottom being at least partially open and the sides being at least partially spaced from the vessel;
- means for the simultaneous formation and circulation of the slurry through the closed loop flow path;
- and
- means for measuring the viscosity of the slurry as the slurry flows in the flow path.
An apparatus for measuring slurry viscosity, comprising:
- a vessel defining a closed loop flow path which is formed by a series of baffles;
- means for the simultaneous formation and circulation of the slurry through the closed loop flow path;
- and
- means for measuring the viscosity of the slurry as the slurry flows in the flow path.
An apparatus for measuring slurry viscosity, comprising:
- a vessel defining a closed loop flow path which is a piping arrangement;.
- means for rotating the piping arrangement about an axis which assists mixing of the slurry;
- means for the simultaneous formation and circulation of the slurry through the closed loop flow path;
- and
- means for measuring the viscosity of the slurry as the slurry flows in the flow path.
A method for measuring slurry viscosity, comprising:
- flowing the slurry in a closed loop flow path;
- inserting a vibrating-rod sensor into the flowing slurry;
- and
- correlating the viscosity of the slurry to amplitude of vibration of the vibrating-rod sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.