OBJECT: | Oil exploration requires making of complex mixtures containing various powders that require high shear for dispersion and viscosity development. |
PROBLEM: | Xanthan gum, guar gum, CMC and many other powders do not disperse easily. Laboratory high speed mixers (Waring Blender, Osterizer) work well but do not scale up to large batches. |
RESULTS: | With an oversized axial flow turbine in a cylindrical dished bottom 100 barrel vessel, components are actively mixed in. As this “wetting out” process goes on an in-line high shear mixer fully dispersed and deagglomerates all fine particles. Drilling fluids are prepared on the fly at the well site to laboratory quality. |
AB MIXER: | 10 x 6 MEGAGRINDER in recirculation loop to 100 barrel mixing vessel with pitched blade turbine. |
EQUIPMENT REPLACED | Square mix tanks/eductor systems. |