Chapter 3, Problem 3.24P

Interpretation Introduction

(a)

Interpretation:

The specific gravity of the drilling mud and the weight percent of barite in it is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Mass percent of any component in a mixture or solution is calculated as:

$\text{Mass Percent}=\frac{m_1}{\sum m}\times 100\%$   ........ (1)

Here, $m_1$ is the mass of a component in a solution and $\sum m$ is the total mass of all the components present in the solution.

Density $\left(\rho \right)$ of a substance is expressed as:

$\rho =\frac{m}{V}$   ........ (2)

Here, $m$ is the mass of the substance and $V$ is the volume of the substance. Density can be expressed in several units. For convenience, here it is expressed in $\text{g}/\text{mL}$.

Specific gravity $\left(\text{SG}\right)$ is a relative term used to express the ratio of density of a substance to the density of the reference substance. Since it is the ratio of same quantity, specific gravity is dimensionless.

Interpretation Introduction

(b)

Interpretation:

The practical importance of the observation (i) is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

When oil wells are drilled, a slurry is pumped into it known as the drilling mud. It is used to remove the rock cutting which floats on the top of it, lubricate and cool the drill bits, and prevents the leakage of loose solids and water in the boreholes.

In a homogeneous mixture, particles of the components do not settle down and is present uniformly throughout the sample or the mixture.