University of Zakho

College of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Dep.
Drilling Lab
3𝑟𝑑 Stage

Exp. No (7)
( )

Name: - Abdullwahid Ahmed

Group: B

Date of submitted: 29-11-2022

Supervisor: Sarkar M.Hama

Contents
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A filtration test is done to determine thickness of the mud cake that will form on
the well bore wall to prevent fluid from the rock beds to flow into the well bore
and to prevent the drilling mud from escaping the well bore. It is also important to
determine the permeability of water in the drilling mud so water does not escape
too fast resulting in an increase in viscosity and hindering drilling mud flow in the
well bore system. It is important to know the water loss under pressure in the

drilling mud and the mud cake thickness. V ∝ √

In this lab, we determined the mud cake thickness and water loss volume using a
filter press, and a sheet of Whatman #50 filter paper. The filter press is shown in
figure 4. The mud cell is to be filled with 400cc of drilling mud into the mud cup
and the drilling mud is forced under a pressure of 100 psig. The water will
penetrate the filter paper and the volume of water is collected in the graduated
cylinder. The volume of liquid present is to be recorded in the following time
intervals after the mud is subjected to 100 psig: 1min, 2min, 5min, 7.5min, 10min,
15min, 20min, 25min and 30min. The water loss is to be reported in cc per minute.
After 30 minutes, the mud cell is disassembled to obtain the filter paper. The filter
paper contains a layer of mud that is thicker and higher in viscosity than the initial
mud. That is the mud cake and it is to be measured in the units of 1/32 of an inch.

A filter cake is formed by the substances that are retained on a filter. Filter aids,
such as diatomaceous earth or activated carbon are usually used to form the filter
cake. The purpose is to increase flow rate or achieve a smaller micron filtration.

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The filter cake grows in the course of filtration, becoming "thicker" as particulate
matter and filter aid is retained on the filter.

With increasing layer thickness, the flow resistance of the filter cake increases.
After a time, the filter cake has to be removed from the filter, e.g. by back flushing.
If this is not accomplished, the filtration is disrupted because the viscosity of the
filter cake gets too high; hence, too little of the mixture to be filtered can pass
through the filter cake and the filter plugs. The specifications of the filter cake
dictate the filtration method of choice

Filtrate refers to liquid which has passed through the process of filtration. In
filtration, all fluids are strained. Larger particles are stuck in the straining media,
while tinier particles as well as liquids pass through, becoming filtrate. It is,
therefore, the end product of liquid filtration. In almost all instances, the filtrate is
actually water in its purified form.

API

For example, disc filters, horizontal belt filters, rotary drum filters, rotary drum
pre-coat filters, table filters, tilting pan filters, tray filters, and vacuum nutsches.

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Our objective is determining the filtration rate of mud and thickness of mud cake
that formed under 100psi, by using standard API filter press

The low-pressure test is made using standard cell under the API condition of 100 +
5 psi for 30 minutes at room temperature. Another special cell, will be used to
measure filtration rate at elevated temperatures and pressure. Filter press used for
filtration tests consists of four independent filter cells mounted on a common
frame. Each cell has its own valve such that any or all the cells could be
operational at the same time. Toggle valve on the top of each cell could be
operated independently for the supply of air for each individual cell. Special high
pressure and high temperature filtration tests are run in the laboratory simulating
formation temperature and formation back- pressure

Figure 1

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1. Detach the mud cell from filter press frame.
2. Remove bottom of filter cell, place right size filter paper in the bottom of the
cell.
3. Introduce mud to be tested into cup assembly, putting filter paper and screen on
top of mud tighten screw clamp.
4. With the air pressure valve closed, clamp the mud cup assembly to the frame
while holding the filtrate outlet end finger tight.
5. Place a graduated cylinder underneath to collect filtrate.
6. Open air pressure valve and start timing at the same time.
7. Report cc of filtrate collected for specified intervals up to 30 minutes.
8. Tabulate the results in an appropriate table.

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Factor affecting the rate of filtration
1)Pressure: Directly Proportional
2)Viscosity: Inversely Proportional
3)Surface area of Filter media: Directly Proportional
4)Temp. of liquid to be filtered: Directly Proportional
5)Particle Size: Directly Proportional.
6)Pore size of the Filtering media: Directly Proportional.

Lost circulation (drilling fluid loss) and mud filtration have been investigated over
the years because they lead to non-drilling time (NDT) and increase the overall
well cost. It is usually the first source of damage to the formation among other
processes such as completions, workover, and hydraulic fracturing. There are
several field solutions that have been proffered and these are grouped under
remedial and preventative solutions. Investigation of drilling fluid loss is mostly
done via experimental studies with several types of setups, fluid formulations, and
porous media. However, lithology complexities, geothermal and geochemical
effects, and other wellbore drilling dynamics continue to push the boundaries to
develop better preventative strategies