OFITE Foamed Fluid Pipe Rheometer

Item:
Description:	Model 330 Foamed Fluid Pipe Rheometer

In many cases, fracturing treatments must be performed on low permeability formations that are extremely sensitive to most fracturing fluids. If conventional fracturing fluids are used during the treatment, reservoir permeability may be significantly reduced, which could completely nullify the fracturing treatment. Frequently, foamed fracturing fluids are used when performing stimulation treatments on sensitive formations. These fluids are composed primarily of gas (commonly CO₂ or N2) and have very low residue, which greatly reduces the possibility of damaging these sensitive formations. Like conventional fracturing fluids, a foamed fluid fracturing treatment’s degree of success is highly dependent upon the foam’s rheological properties. Proper fluid design ensures complete proppant transport with minimal parasitic frictional losses. Foamed fluids are extremely shear and temperature sensitive and require elaborate instrumentation to study under simulated treatment conditions.

The Model 330 Foamed Fluid Pipe Rheometer was designed to examine the rheological properties of foamed fracturing fluids under typical well conditions. Utilizing a properly designed fluid can greatly improve the success of foamed fluid fracturing treatments.

Method of Operation:
A polymer (HPG or guar gum) is mixed at a relatively low loading in the mixing tank and a foaming agent is added to the liquefied polymer. The required back pressure is placed upon the closed loop system and the test fluid is added to the pipe rheometers via a triplex pump. The temperature control is programmed to the desired temperature profile and the fluid mixture is displaced through the system with the circulation pump. As the fluid flows through the foam generator, nitrogen or carbon dioxide is added at an extremely high shear rate, which creates the foamed fluid. This addition of gas increases the system pressure. However, the back pressure regulator releases fluid from the system and maintains the proper test pressure. Gas is added to the system until the desired foam quality is achieved. Foam quality is measured via a densimeter and the flow rate is measured via a Doppler-style flow meter. The differential pressures across each of the three pipe rheometers are measured with pressure transducers and all necessary data is displayed and documented on strip chart recorders. An optional data acquisition system is available, which utilizes a personal computer to measure and record data.

Features and Specifications:
- Variable speed controller for circulation motor
- Progressive cavity pump with maximum flow rate of 40 gpm
- Temperature (350ºF maximum) maintained via PID controller
- Process temperature displayed digitally
- Three 316 stainless steel pipe viscometers (0.25", 0.5" & 0.75")
- Temperature of each pipe rheometer measured via thermocouple
- Differential pressure transducers measure Delta P
- Multichannel strip chart recorders provide hard copy of data
- Triplex pump (variable speed) pressurizes system to 2500 psi
- Doppler-style flow meter measures the flow rate
- Densimeter measures fluid density (quality)
- All wetted components manufactured from 316 stainless steel
- All necessary tools and calibration equipment included

Options:
A Data Acquisition System (DAS) is available for OFITE’s Foamed Fluid Pipe Rheometer. This option utilizes an IBM-compatible computer with a Pentium II microprocessor, 128 MB RAM, 4.3 GB hard drive, 15" color monitor, and a printer to measure, record, display, and print all necessary data. In addition, measured variables are graphically displayed and the included software calculates all important parameters and permits professional presentation of results.

A dynamic fluid loss cell is also available, which measures the amount of fluid leakoff across a cylindrical rock core specimen.

Instrument Requirements:
- Nitrogen, 2500 psi
- 220 Volt, 50/60 Hz, 20 KVA power source

For questions or sales information,

email us at sales@ofite.com