Produced Solids Particle Size Measurement Data Analysis: Part 2 (B-FSM018)
Continuing from the previous article on data interpretation from Particle Size Distribution (PSD).
Key Data to Identify
Identify Top Size
- Particle size at 98-100% passing (3-6 mm common for produced solids)
- Used to determine solids plugging potential (i.e. pressure gauge ports)
- Need to know top size for slurry transport calculations, to ensure all particles are carried by liquid flow
Identify Bottom Size and Amount
- Size at 10% passing – commonly called “fines”
- A high concentration of fines increases liquid/slurry viscosity, blinds filters, and increases oil-in-water concentration
- Sometimes a bump in fines shown in PSD indicates agglomeration during analysis – ensure solids are chemically or mechanically de-agglomerated and run PSD again
Identify Average Size
- Most common number quoted and used for analysis
- However, does single number accurately represent all data?
Top/Bottom/Average Sizes – Illustration
The key data from a particle size distribution on produced sand is illustrated on the following graph.
What Does “Mean Size” Mean?
- Mean or Average Size
- Most common number quoted and used for analysis
- Does single number accurately represent all data?
- Do you pick the peak number or calculate weighted average?
- Peak value is “Mode” – commonly (incorrectly) picked as mean
- Surface Mean (Sauter Mean) = D(3,2)
- Volume Mean (de Brouckere Mean) = D(4,3) – recommended value to use
These values are illustrated on the following graph.
We will start the discussion of chemical and mineralogical properties of produced sand in the next article.
References:
- ISO 9276-1:1998. Representation of results of particle size analysis – Part 1: Graphical Representation.
- ISO 9276-2:2014. Representation of results of particle size analysis – Part 2: Calculation of average particle sizes/diameters and moments from particle size distributions.
