Flow density tool

Abstract

A flow density tool having a flow housing with an inflow orifice and outflow window and a sensor tube inserted from an end opposite inflow orifice. Two symmetrically placed nuclear sources are covered with a lead blanket from the outside so that the sensors are exposed only to the given source and covered by the same blanket from outside or external radiation to allow the flow density of a continuous flow of discreet media to be measured.

1 . A flow density tool for measuring the density of drilling mud containing drill cuttings, comprising:
 a. a gamma ray source for directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings;   b. a gamma ray sensor for detecting the gamma rays; and   c. a flow housing for directing the flow of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings past the gamma ray sensor.   
   
   
       2 . The flow density tool of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a. a neutron source for directing neutrons through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings; and   b. a neutron sensor for detecting neutron emissions.   
   
   
       3 . The flow density tool of  claim 2 , wherein the gamma ray sensor and the neutron sensor are housed in a sensor tube. 
   
   
       4 . The flow density tool of  claim 2 , wherein the flow housing is an elongate tubular having a first end and a second end, an inflow orifice adapted to receive the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings proximate the first end. 
   
   
       5 . The flow density tool of  claim 4 , wherein the sensor tube is received in the second end, forming an annular gap between the sensor tube and the flow housing. 
   
   
       6 . The flow density tool of  claim 5 , wherein an outflow window is adapted to discharge the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings from the annular gap. 
   
   
       7 . The flow density tool of  claim 6 , wherein the annular gap is between about 0.5 inch (13 mm) and about 0.75 inch (19 mm). 
   
   
       8 . The flow density tool of  claim 6 , the flow housing having an upper portion and a lower portion, the outflow window formed in the lower portion. 
   
   
       9 . The flow density tool of  claim 1 , wherein the gamma ray source is americium  241 . 
   
   
       10 . The flow density tool of  claim 2 , wherein the neutron source is americium  241  upon a beryllium target. 
   
   
       11 . A method of calculating the bulk density of drilling fluid containing drill cuttings, comprising:
 a. directing gamma rays through at least a portion of the drilling mud containing drill cuttings and measuring gamma rays;   b. measuring neutron emissions from the drilling fluid containing drill cuttings; and   c. calculating a bulk density based on the gamma rays measured and neutrons measured.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the measurement of gamma rays and neutrons measured are synchronized in time.