Oil and Water Retorts provide a simple, direct field method for determining the percent by volume of oil and water in samples in drilling mud or in core samples of the formation. The retort is especially useful in determining the oil content of emulsion muds. It may also be used to evaluate the volume of torque reducers, glycol volume and directional sliding additives.

Standard procedures for proper testing of water, oil and solids analysis are detailed in the API Publication Recommended Practice 13B-1, ANSI/API 13B-1 & API Recommended Practice 13B-2. In a retort test, a measured sample of fluid is placed in a cup and heated until the liquid components have been vaporized. The vapors are passed through a condenser and collected in a graduated cylinder or centrifuge tube that has been calibrated to record the volume of the condensed liquids at 20°C. The distillate is read directly as volume percent of the solids sample’s original volume. Suspended and dissolved solids are determined by subtracting these from 100 percent of the initial sample. For fresh water fluids, the relative amount of barite and clay can be estimated. Corrections must be made for salt in the calculation for solids content by volume.

Fann has several models of 10 ml and 50 ml Oil and Water Retorts. A “removable” model can be used to replace field kits or used as a stand-alone unit.

Ordering Information

Part No. 210442 – 10 ml Retort Kit, 115 Volt, 350 Watts

Part No. 210443 – 10 ml Retort Kit, 230 Volt, 350 Watts

Part No. 210485 – 10 ml Retort Kit, 115 Volt, 350 Watts, Removable

Part No. 210465 – 50 ml Retort Kit, 115 Volt, 700 Watts

Part No. 210463 – 50 ml Retort Kit, 230 Volt, 700 Watts

Fann has designed special receiver tubes for use when retorting oil muds. JP-Tubes are specially designed cylindrical glassware with rounded bottoms to facilitate cleaning and funnel-shaped tops to catch falling drops. They are API approved.

Part No. 205240 – JP-Tube, 10 ml

Part No. 205241 – JP-Tube, 20 ml

Part No. 205258 – JP-Tube, 50 ml