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solids

Sand Content

Purpose

Measure the percentage by volume of particles larger than 74 microns (200-mesh) in the drilling fluid. Excessive sand content causes wear on pump liners, bit nozzles, and surface equipment, and may signal inadequate solids control.

Equipment

  • Sand content kit: glass tube with graduated scale (% by volume)
  • 200-mesh (74-micron) screen
  • Wash bottle with water
  • Funnel

Procedure

  1. Fill the glass measuring tube to the “mud” mark with the well-mixed mud sample.
  2. Add water to the “water” mark and cap the tube with a thumb.
  3. Shake vigorously to mix; pour the contents over the 200-mesh screen.
  4. Add more water to the tube, shake, and pour over the screen again. Repeat until the rinse water runs clear.
  5. Back-wash the retained solids off the screen into the glass tube using the wash bottle.
  6. Allow the solids to settle for at least 1 minute.
  7. Read the volume of settled solids at the bottom of the tube on the graduated scale.

Notes

  • Report sand content as percent by volume (% vol).
  • The 200-mesh screen retains sand and coarse silt; finer particles pass through and are not measured.
  • Low sand content does not indicate low total solids — fine clays and barite are not captured.
  • Perform the test on a freshly collected, well-agitated sample for representative results.