17 OCTOBER 2023 WorldWide Drilling Resource® Let’s Mix it Up by Ronald B. Peterson Drilling Products Specialist, Mountainland Supply Company In last month’s article, I mentioned some things to always remember regarding drilling fluids. Let’s talk now about the mixing system. The most important thing in the mixing of drilling fluids is having an adequate mixing system. Mixing systems come in many configurations and a wide range of prices. I have seen everything from bare hands to shovels, and up to gear-driven mixers used in the drilling industry. A venturi mixing system is very effective; it can be modified and sized to fit your needs. Venturi mixers are very common and are used in all types of drilling operations. The thing you have to remember is, the better the mixing system, the more efficient it is. Higher efficiency mixers work faster, which reduces the risk of introducing unyielded product into the borehole. This will reduce waste and save time. In the drilling industry - time is money. I have included a schematic of a venturi mixer designed by Carl Mason, an early drilling fluids representative of Baroid IDP in the 1960s. The components of this mixing system can mostly be picked up at your local hardware store. What you can’t get there, can be easily fabricated. This system can be effectively run with a centrifugal pump as long as it will provide 40 gallons per minute at 40 psi. You must always remember that the funnel is a mixing hopper - not a storage hopper. One thing consistent with mixers is that, at some time, they are going to be plugged. Since they are going to get plugged, and it will never be at a convenient time, I recommend not using a wrench to make the funnel connection. Tighten it by hand, that way it will be easy to remove and unplug when necessary, and you won’t have to find a pipe wrench. There are several well-designed venturi mixers on the market, if you don’t want to build your own. There are other less sophisticated, as well as more sophisticated systems. It all depends on your needs and your budget. Make sure you get the one which best meets your operation. I strongly recommend the use of a prehydration tank - more on that later. The investment in your own knowledge and the knowledge of your personnel will pay off. Greater knowledge of job requirements and the safest, best way to achieve them will result in better performance at all levels. Always cultivate - and stress - a culture of safety in the workplace. There are many innovations in safety. We have come a long way. Remember, “A man has to know his limitations,” but he doesn’t have to be defined by them. He can raise the bar. Working together, it is amazing where we can go. Enjoy the journey. If you have any questions on drilling fluids or if you have another topic you would like to have addressed, please remember this column is ours. Your feedback helps me make it of value to you. It needs to be an interactive tool. I need your feedback. Please send your suggestions to Michele (below) and she will get them to me. Ron Ron Peterson may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR Nice work everyone. Very cool! [Women in Drilling feature] Kris Oothoudt Operations Manager Hole Products
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDk4Mzk=