A mud balance, also known as a mud scale is a device used to measure the density (weight) of

drilling fluid In geotechnical engineering, drilling fluid, also known as drilling mud, is used to aid the drilling of boreholes into the earth. Used while drilling oil and natural gas wells and on exploration drilling rigs, drilling fluids are also use ...

, cement or any type of liquid or slurry.

Description and operation

It consists of a graduated beam with a

bubble level A spirit level, bubble level, or simply a level, is an instrument designed to indicate whether a surface is horizontal (level) or vertical ( plumb). Two basic designs exist: ''tubular'' (or ''linear'') and '' bull's eye'' (or ''circular'' ...

and a weight slider along its length and a cup with a lid on one end. The cup is used to hold a fixed amount of fluid so it can be weighed. A slider-weight can be moved along the beam, and a bubble indicates when the beam is level. Density is read at the point where the slider-weight sits on the beam at level. Calibration is done using a liquid of known density (often fresh water) by adjusting the counter weight. Typical balances are not pressurized, but a pressurized mud balance operates in the same manner.

Reason for use

There is no reliable visual method of determining the density of drilling mud; the mud balance is the most reliable and simple way of making the determination.Dean Bennett testing equipment
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References

{{reflist Drilling fluid