Fluid Conditioning

Very often some tests will require pre-conditioning.  This can be done in a variety of ways.  The most common is to use an atmospheric consistometer (right) in which the fluid is heated, without pressure, to a temperature below the boiling point (typically ≤190°F) while being stirred with a paddle.  This is a common conditioning method for rheology, free fluid, density, and many other tests.  Another method is to simulate well conditions using a pressurized consistometer (left).  This apparatus is similar, but pressure and higher temperatures may be applied as the fluid is stirred within a sealed vessel containing a low-viscosity oil. This method is often used when a fluid is to be tested on an apparatus that is either unpressurized or cannot be stirred, for example for a sedimentation (aka settling) test or an ultrasonic test (e.g. UCA, SGSA).