OfiTE 900 User manual
Model 900 Viscometer
130-76-C (115 Volt)
130-76-1-C (230 Volt)
ORCADA®Model 900 Software
Instruction Manual
Updated 1/4/2017
Ver. 14.0
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
11302 Steeplecrest Dr. · Houston, Texas · 77065 · U.S.A.
Tele: 832.320.7300 · Fax: 713.880.9886 · www.ote.com
©Copyright OFITE 2015
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 1
Introduction.....................................................................................2
Description......................................................................................2
Components ...................................................................................3
Specications .................................................................................4
Safety...............................................................................................7
Setup................................................................................................8
Software Start ...............................................................................10
Calibration.....................................................................................14
Standalone................................................................................14
With Computer ..........................................................................16
Fluid Manager ...........................................................................18
Operation.......................................................................................19
Standalone................................................................................19
With Computer ..........................................................................23
Software ........................................................................................25
Options......................................................................................25
Save Rate Settings ...................................................................26
Test Builder ...............................................................................27
Select Analysis Outputs ............................................................30
Saved Test Data........................................................................31
Calibration History.....................................................................33
Import/Export ............................................................................34
Onboard Program Manager ......................................................35
Upload Test Data ......................................................................37
Disassembly .................................................................................39
Maintenance..................................................................................39
Bob Shaft Bearing Replacement...............................................40
Main Shaft Bearing Replacement .............................................44
Torsion Spring Replacement.....................................................46
Appendix .......................................................................................47
Thermocouple Calibration.........................................................47
Adjusting the P Value................................................................49
Transducer Linearization...........................................................50
Driver Install ..............................................................................53
Grounding .................................................................................56
Warranty and Return Policy ........................................................57
Table of
Contents
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 2
The Model 900 Viscometer is a portable, yet fully automated system
for measuring uid viscosity. It is designed to be easy to use, easy to
maintain and to provide consistent results. Its simplicity makes it ideally
suited for eld applications. Engineers will appreciate the push button
calibration, its reliability, and the ability to perform standard American
Petroleum Institute (API) recommended practices with one command.
With the addition of a computer, it is able to perform a variety of more
complex laboratory tests. Routine repairs, like bearing and torsion spring
replacement, may be performed by eld personnel with a minimum of
training, without having to return the viscometer for repair. The optional
*KlikLock™ bob uses a magnetic coupling to make removal quick and easy.
The OFITE Model 900 Viscometer is a true Couette coaxial cylinder rotational
viscometer, which employs a transducer to measure the induced angle of
rotation of the bob by a uid sample. The test uid is contained in the annular
space, or shear gap, between the rotor and the bob, which is attached to
a shaft with a biasing spring. The viscous drag exerted by the uid creates
a torque on the bob, and is monitored by the transducer that measures
the angular displacement of the bob. Using the angle of displacement
of the bob, the processor calculates and transmits readable output of
the sample characteristics in accordance with determined calculations
based upon the shear rate and the bob displacement. Revolutionary
improvements in stepper-motor technology by OFITE enables the Model 900
Viscometer to operate accurately at extremely low shear rates (0.01 1/s).
As a stand-alone eld unit, the press of a single button (MUD or CEM)
prompts the viscometer to perform standard API recommended practices for
the technician’s choice of Mud (Plastic Viscosity [“PV”] - Yield Point [“YP”]) or
Cement rheologies. Standard speeds (600, 300, 200, etc.) are provided as
single button operations on the keypad, or if another shear rate is desired, the
parameters may be entered on the numbered keypad. Simply press ENTER
after entering the desired shear rate and the viscometer performs the rest
of the work. It is not necessary to stop the motor between speed changes.
For a fully automated Control/Data Acquisition System suitable for
research applications, the Model 900 Viscometer may be connected
to a computer via a serial (RS-232) port using OFITE’s exclusive
and eld-proven Windows™-based ORCADA® software.
*U.S. Patent Number 8,763,776
Introduction
Description
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 3
#130-76-03 Thermocouple
#130-76-04 Main Bearing
#130-76-05 Retaining Ring
#130-76-08 Bob Shaft Wrench
#130-76-10 Universal Heat Cup (115 Volt Only)
#130-76-10-1 Universal Heat Cup (230 Volt Only)
#130-76-24 Bob Shaft Assembly (For Threaded Bobs)
#130-76-241 Bob Shaft Assembly (For KlikLock™ Bobs)
#130-76-51 Carrying Case
#130-79-19 USB to RS232 Cable
#132-56 Rotor, R1, 303 Stainless Steel
#132-57 Bearing Shield
#132-58 Bob, Threaded, B1, 303 Stainless Steel
#132-58-01 Bob, KlikLock™, B1, 316 Stainless Steel
#132-80 Certied Calibration Fluid, 100 cP, 10 oz
#134-05-2 Bob Shaft Bearing, Sealed
#134-10 Torsion Spring Assembly, F1.0
#135-02 External Retainer Ring for Bob Shaft
#152-37 AC Power Cord, 115 Volt
#152-38 AC Power Cord, 230 Volt
Optional:
#130-76-LSK Low Shear Kit
#132-56-S Rotor, R1, Slotted
#132-58-5 Bob, B1, Slotted
#134-05-2 Bob Shaft Bearing
#134-10-2 Torsion Spring Assembly, F0.2
#147-14 pH Meter
#132-56H Rotor, R1, Hastelloy
#132-58-01H Bob, Threaded, B1, C-276 Hastelloy
#132-58-01-HC Bob, KlikLock™, B1, C-276 Hastelloy
#134-10-2 Torsion Spring Assembly, F0.2 (Green)
#134-10-3 Torsion Spring Assembly, F0.5 (Yellow)
#134-10 Torsion Spring Assembly, F1.0 (Blue)
#134-10-4 Torsion Spring Assembly, F2.0 (Red)
#134-10-5 Torsion Spring Assembly, F3.0 (Purple)
#134-10-6 Torsion Spring Assembly, F4.0 (White)
#154-04 Digital, Long-Stem Thermometer, NIST Traceable, 8"
Stem, -58°F - 302°F (-50°C - 150°C)
#154-24 Thermometer, 32°F - 86°F (0°C - 30°C)
#130-76-C-SP Spare Parts Kit for #130-76-C
#130-76-03 Thermocouple
#130-76-04 Main Bearing, Qty: 2
#130-76-05 Retaining Ring, Qty: 2
#132-80 Calibration Fluid, 100 cP, 16 oz
#132-81 Calibration Fluid, 50 cP, 16 oz
#134-05-2 Bob Shaft Bearing, Qty: 8
#135-02 External Retainer Ring, Qty: 2
Components
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 4
Specications Instrument Geometry True Couette Coaxial Cylinder
Motor Technology Stepper
Motor Speeds (RPM) 12 Fixed Speeds (600, 300, 200, 100, 60, 30, 20,
10, 6, 3, 2, and 1); Variable speed range .006 - 1000
Speed Accuracy (RPM) .001
Shear Rate Range (sec-1).01 - 1,700
Readout Digital
Heat Cup Stainless Steel, 150 Watts, Maximum
Recommended Temp: 190°F (88°C)
Temperature Measurement Type “J” Thermocouple
Automatic Tests API Cementing and Mud Rheologies
Power Requirements 97 - 250 Volts AC, 200 Watts, 50/60 Hz
Weight (kg) 8.6
Dimensions (cm) 44 × 38 × 24
Shipping Weight (kg) 16
Shipping Dimensions (cm) 56 × 38 × 24
Computer Requirements DB-9 Serial Port, Windows 2000 or newer.
Recommended screen resolution 1024 × 768 pixels.
Rotor - Bob R1B1 R1B2 R1B3 R1B4 R1B5
Rotor Radius, RR, (cm) 1.8415 1.8415 1.8415 1.8415 1.8415
Bob Radius, RB, (cm) 1.7245 1.2276 0.8622 0.8622 1.5987
Bob Height, L, (cm) 3.8 3.8 3.8 1.9 3.8
Shear Gap, (cm) 0.117 0.6139 0.9793 0.9793 0.2428
R Ratio, RB/RR 0.9365 0.666 0.468 0.468 0.8681
Shear Rate Constant kR(sec-1
per RPM) 1.7023 0.377 0.2682 0.2682 0.8503
Shear Stress Constant for
Effective Bob Surface kS(cm-3)0.01323 0.02610 0.05290 0.10600 0.01541
Overall Instrument Constant,
K, with Standard F1.0 Spring,
ŋ=KfƟ/N
300 2,672 7,620 15,200 349
Max. Shear Stress,
SSMAX, (Dyne / cm2)
Constant
kT
R1B1 R1B2 R1B3 R1B4 R1B5
F 0.2 (Green) 77.2 330 651 1,320 2,644 384
F 0.5 (Yellow) 193 840 1,657 3,359 6,730 977
F 1.0 (Blue) 386 1,680 3,314 6,717 13,460 1,955
F 2.0 (Red) 772 3,360 6,629 13,435 26,921 3,910
F 3.0 (Purple) 1,158 5,040 9,943 20,152 40,381 5,865
F 4.0 (White) 1,544 6,720 13,257 26,870 53,841 7,819
F 5.0 (Black) 1,930 840 16,571 33,587 67,302 9,774
F 10.0 (Orange) 3,860 16,800 33,143 67,175 134,603 19,548
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 5
Shear Rate Range R1B1 R1B2 R1B3 R1B4 R1B5
Shear Rate Constant, KR,
(sec-1 per RPM) 1.7023 0.3770 0.2682 0.2682 0.8503
Shear Rate, (sec-1 or 1/s)
1 RPM 1.70 0.38 0.27 0.27 0.85
2 RPM 3.40 0.75 0.54 0.54 1.70
3 RPM 5.11 1.13 0.80 0.80 2.56
6 RPM 10.21 2.26 1.61 1.61 5.11
10 RPM 17.02 3.77 2.68 2.68 8.51
20 RPM 34.05 7.54 5.36 5.36 17.03
30 RPM 51.07 11.31 8.05 8.05 25.54
60 RPM 102.14 22.62 16.09 16.09 51.07
100 RPM 170.23 37.70 26.82 26.82 85.12
200 RPM 340.46 75.40 53.64 53.64 170.23
300 RPM 510.69 113.10 80.46 80.46 255.35
600 RPM 1,021.38 226.20 160.92 160.92 510.69
1,000 RPM 1,702.30 377.00 268.20 268.20 851.15
Viscosity Ranges<a>
(cP) R1B1 R1B2 R1B3 R1B4 R1B5
Minimum Viscosity<b>
@600 RPM 0.5<c> 4.5 12.7 25 1.2
Maximum Viscosity<d>
@0.01 RPM 10,000,000 89,000,000 255,000,000 500,000,000 23,000,000
<a> Computed for standard Torsion Spring (F 1.0). For other torsion 160.92springs, multiply by F factor
<b> Lower viscosities can be measured by the Model 900, however one must take into account the
effect of bearing drag, Taylor vortices, zero offset, etc. when looking at the expected accuracy of
the reading
<c> For practical purposes the minimum viscosity is limited to 0.5 cP due to Taylor Vortices
<d> Maximum viscosity is based on Maximum Shear Stress and Minimum shear rate (RPM). However,
due to practical and physical limitations, it may be difcult to take these measurements.
Viscosity Conversions
To convert from units on left side to units on top, multiply by factor @ intercept.
Centipoise
(cP) Poise (P) g/(cm*s) (mN*s)m2mPa*s (lb*s)
100 ft2
Centipoise
(cP) 10.01 0.01 1 1 0.002088
Poise (P) 100 1 100 100 100 0.2088
g/(cm*s) 100 1 100 100 100 0.2088
(mN*s)m210.01 0.01 1 1 0.002088
mPa*s 1 0.01 0.01 1 1 0.002088
(lb*s)
100 ft2478.93 4.789 4.789 478.93 478.93 1
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 6
Shear Stress Conversions
To convert from units on left side to units on top, multiply by factor @ intercept.
Dyne/cm2Pa lb/100ft2lb/ft2DR
Dyne/cm210.1 0.2084 0.002084 0.1957
Pa 10 1 2.084 0.02084 1.957
lb/100ft24.788 0.4788 10.01 0.939
lb/ft2478.8 47.88 100 1 93.9
DR 5.107 0.5107 1.065 0.01065 1
What Bob & Spring Should I Use?
There is often confusion or misunderstanding about what a viscometer can
actually measure. For example, a viscometer with an R1B1 F1 combination
can measure water fairly well at 100 RPM and higher, but at 3 RPM, the
readings would be shaky at best. While on the other hand, a linear uid with a
viscosity of 15000, could not get past 6 RPM with the same combination.
To estimate which spring might be best, use the formula below to calculate a
Minimum Spring factor, where one establishes the maximum RPM the uid is
going to be tested at, as well as what the expected “Apparent Viscosity” of the
uid at that RPM. If the Factor comes out as .87, then an F 1.0 spring should
be used. If it comes out as .16, then an F 0.2 spring would be best. To cover
all ranges, it may be necessary to use more than one spring.
Always run the TransCal procedure (steps 10 - 14 on page 51) after
changing the bob or spring.
Minimum Spring Factor (F) = RPM(max) * AV(max)
BOB(F)*90000
Bob (F)
R1B1 1.0
R1B2 8.9
R1B3 25.4
R1B4 50.7
R1B5 2.4
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 7
Safety In order to comply with the requirements of safety standard EN 61010, the
viscometer has a separable cord and plug, without a locking device, to mate
with a socket outlet in the building. If the user substitutes another cord, the
cord should not exceed 3 meters (9'10") in length.
Any interruption of the protective earth conductor inside or outside the
instrument, or disconnection of the protective earth terminal is likely to
make the instrument dangerous under some fault conditions. Intentional
interruption is prohibited.
If the equipment is used in a manner not specied by the manufacturer,
the protection provided by the equipment might be impaired. Whenever it
is likely that protection has been impaired, the instrument should be made
inoperative, and secured against accidental operation. OFITE Technical
Service should be contacted for advice.
Any service performed by removing the viscometer cover should only be
performed by a knowledgeable operator.
There are no user-serviceable components inside the heat cup cover. The
Heat Cup should only be serviced by a factory-authorized technician.
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 8
Setup The Model 900 Viscometer is a precision instrument. Any damage to the bob
shaft, bearings, or transducer will greatly affect the accuracy of the readings.
Always handle the Viscometer with care, especially when installing and
removing the bob.
1. To install the bob, rst slide the bearing shield (#132-57) onto the bob
shaft with the at portion facing up. Locate the wrench ats on the bob
shaft. Place the bob shaft wrench (#130-76-08) against these ats to hold
the shaft in place. Tighten the bob by turning it clockwise (when viewed
from above).
Always use the bob shaft wrench when installing or removing the
bob. Do not tighten the bob against the stop pin.
If the bob or spring is being changed, run the TransCal procedure (steps
10 – 14 on page 51).
Bob Shaft Wrench
(#130-76-08)
Bearing Shield
(#132-57)
2. Some viscometers are equipped with a magnetic KlikLock™ bob. To
install this bob, slide it up into the rotor and turn it just until it clicks into
place.
3. Connect the instrument to a power source. This viscometer will operate
equally well at 115 Volts or 230 Volts, 50 or 60 Hz.
Always plug the Model 900 into a surge suppressor instead of
directly into an electrical outlet. The internal electrical components
can be damaged by voltage spikes.
4. To control the temperature, plug the thermocouple into the left side of the
housing cover and place the thermocouple into the thermocouple well of
the heat cup. Also plug the power cord of the heat cup into the back of
the Model 900. Turn the knob on the heat cup all the way to maximum to
allow the viscometer to control the temperature.
Patent No. 6,766,028 - OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.
OFITE, 11302 Steeplecrest Dr., Houston, TX 77065 USA / Tel: 832-320-7300 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ote.com 9
6. The On-Off switch is located on the back panel, just above the power
cable connection. Turn the unit on and follow the display instructions, or
press CLEAR/STOP.
7. Refer to the “Thermocouple Calibration” section on page 47.
It is recommended that a calibration procedure be run due to
the possibility of mishandling during shipment of the Model 900.
Refer to the “Calibration - Standalone” section on page 14
for instructions on calibrating the unit manually. Refer to the
“Calibration - With Computer” section on page 16 for instructions
on calibrating the unit with the ORCADA®Software.
8. Place a properly prepared sample of test uid (if an R1B1 bob is being
used, approximately 165 - 170 mL) in the sample cup and immerse
the rotor exactly to the scribed line on the rotor by raising the platform.
Tighten the lock nut on the platform.
9. When operating under computer control, the keypad on the Model 900
unit is disabled and the unit is controlled from the PC. However, the type
of bob being used for the test must be entered in SETUP (refer to step 5
on page 19 for details) before connecting the unit to the PC
5. Position the rotor sleeve over the bob and move it upwards to join the
rotor. The threads assure the rotor sleeve will attach evenly and uniformly
each and every time.
Rotor Sleeve
Bob
Rotor
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