Sulaimani Polytechnic University

Technical College of Engineering

Petroleum and Energy Engineering Department
Second Semester

“Sand Content”

Experiment #3

Mohammed Jamal Awl

mohammed.jamal@koyauniversity.org
07 April 2019
Aim

To determine the volume percent of sand in the mud whose size is

greater than 200 mesh (74 microns).

2
Theory
Sand Content

Is defined to be that portion of the drilling mud solids whose size

is greater than 200 mesh (74 microns). The test can be used to
give a qualitative, relative indication of the solids removal
equipment effectiveness or power.

Note: Desander make separations between 45 to 74 microns,

Desilter separate solids between 15 to 45 microns and Shale
shaker separate solids greater than 74 microns.

3
Theory (cont.)

Problems of sand in the mud :

1) Sand particles can be highly abrasive, and can cause excessive

wear of pump parts, drill bits, and pipe connections.
2) Excessive sand may also result in the deposition of a thick filter
cake on the walls of the hole.
3) It may settle in the hole around the tools at that time circulation
is stopped.

4
 Test Equipment

The Sand Content Kit is an apparatus used to determine the volume

percent of sand in the mud.

Glass measuring tube

Water line Funnel

Water Bottle

Mud line

200 Mesh
% Graduation screen
5
 Test Procedure
1) Prepare a mud by mixing bentonite and water and contain sand.
2) Pour mud into the glass measuring tube until it fill up to the mark
labeled “mud to here” then add water to the mark labeled “water
to here” cover mouth of the tube with thumb and shake them.
3) Pour this mixture through the screen, being careful to wash
everything out of the tube with clear water through the same
screen. Wash sand retained on screen with a stream of water to
remove all mud and small particles.
4) Fit funnel down over top of the screen, invert slowly turning tip of
funnel into mouth of glass measuring tube, and wash sand back
into tube with water on the back side of the screen, allow the sand
to settle.
5) Read the scale of sand settled in the glass measuring tube as the
sand content of the mud.
6
Calculation

Sand % = 20 % = 0.20