Semi-quantitative analysis of drilling mud

The Primini XRF spectrometer was used to analyze curious samples from a drilling application.

The sample was dried and ground in a mortar and pestle, loaded into a disposable sample cup with Prolene supporting film and analyzed as a loose powder on the Primini using the very simple EZ Scan semi-quantitative analysis routine.

Figure 1

From the analysis (Figure 1), it was determined that the deposits were likely contaminated with a zinc-rich anti-seize compound used on the threads of drilling pipes. A spectral chart (Figure 2) compares the contaminated drilling mud residue with a more typical drilling mud sample.

Figure 2

The Primini is a compact WDXRF system that fits well in space limited areas such as drilling platforms. With an analytical range from F - U it has proven itself useful for simple tests like this to more complex analysis situations.