US Patent 8387442 Methods to characterize sag in fluids

Systems and methods for direct and indirect measurement of the density of a fluid which exhibits sag characteristics is disclosed. The sag measurement system includes a test container for holding a fluid mixture to be analyzed and a suction port on the test container. A pump is coupled to the suction port for circulating the fluid mixture from the test container through a circulation loop. A measurement device is coupled to the circulation loop and a return port directs the fluid mixture from the circulation loop back to the test container at substantially the same vertical location as the suction port. The fluid mixture flowing through the circulation loop passes through the measurement device before returning to the test container through the return port. The measurement device is operable to monitor the particle distribution of the fluid mixture as it changes due to gravity.