A mud balance, also known as a mud scale is a device used to measure the density (weight) of
drilling fluid, 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). Different types of spirit levels may be used by carpenters, stonemasons, bricklayers, ot ...
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
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Drilling fluid