API Filter Press 3
Description
The API lter press is used to analyze ltration behavior and wall cake build-
ing characteristics of drilling uids and cement slurries. Their stability is
based on uid loss and may be determined by measuring and describing the
lter cake.
The components of the lter press are: A cell body to hold the mud sample,
a base cap c/w drain tube to discharge ltrate into a graduated cylinder, a
stand, a cell support including a pressure regulator with gauge, a CO2 car-
tridge holder or an air hose. The base cap holds an exchangeable mesh on
which a 3½” (90 mm) sheet of lter paper can be placed. This corresponds
with a ltration area of 7.1 ± 0.1 in2 (4,580 ± 60 mm2) recommended by the
American Petroleum Institute (API).
Before the test a sheet of lter paper is placed on the mesh in the base cap.
The cell body of the lter press is lled with mud or cement and the cell
is closed with the base cap. A pressure of 100 psi is applied to the cell by
piercing the CO2 cartridge or by compressed air from a bottle or compressor.
Filtrate is driven through lter paper and the outlet in the base cap and col-
lected by means of a graduated measuring cylinder. After a time period of 30
minutes the amount of discharged uid may be recorded and the lter cake
that has formed on the lter paper is measured and described.
As an alternative to CO2 cartridges or compressed air, the ltration pressure
may be generated in a U-shape hydraulic assembly. On one side of the U
there is a vertically aligned cylinder with a piston acting on a water column.
A dead weight is resting on the piston, pushing the water into the other side
of the U and compressing the air above the water column, thus creating the
ltration pressure in the lter press cell. This lter press model does not need
a pressure regulator nor an external pressure source.
The MUDTEST lter press complies with the requirements of API RP 13B-1 or
the corresponding international standard ISO 10414 for eld testing of drill-
ing uids. The requirements of the German standard DIN 4127 for the test
procedure for supporting uids in diaphragm wall construction are also met.
The lter press falls within the scope of the European Pressure Equipment
Directive 2014/68 / EU. Therefore, the corresponding conformity assessment
procedure was carried out and the CE marking was attached.
