Complete HTHP Filter Press

with Single-End Test Cell and CO2 Pressuring Assemblies

#170-00: 175 mL, 1,500 PSI, 115 Volt, 400 Watt
#170-01: 175 mL, 1,500 PSI, 230 Volt, 400 Watt

Instruction Manual
Updated 5/28/2009
Ver. 2.0

OFI Testing Equipment, Inc.

P.O. Box 925918 Houston, Texas 77292-5918 U.S.A.
Tele: 713.880.9885 or 877.837.8683 Fax: 713.880.9886 www.ofite.com
©Copyright OFITE 2009
 Table of Intro....................................................................................................2
Specifications ...................................................................................2
Contents Components......................................................................................3
Safety.................................................................................................5
Operation ..........................................................................................7
Diagram ...........................................................................................11

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 1
 Intro The OFITE HTHP Filter Press is designed for testing drilling fluids and
cement under elevated temperatures and pressures. This simulates vari-
ous downhole conditions and provides a reliable method for determining
the effectiveness of the material being tested. The complete assembly
consists of the following:

- A controlled pressure source (CO2)

- Two CO2 pressure regulators (primary and back pressure)
- A high-pressure test cell
- A heating jacket for heating the test cell
- A suitable stand

Specifications Size:
Weight:
7.5" x 11" x 23.5" (19.1 x 27.9 x 59.7 cm)
27 lbs. (12.3 kg)
Shipping Size: 20" x 13" x 13" (51 x 33 x 33 cm)
Shipping Weight: 33 lbs. (15 kg)
Maximum Temperature: 400°F (204°C)
Maximum Pressure: 1,500 PSI (10,343 kPa)
Pressure Source: Two CO2 Pressuring Assemblies
Test Cell Capacity: 175 mL
Voltage: #170-00: 115V; #170-01: 230V
Heater: 400 Watt

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 2
Components #153-14
#154-10
Graduated Cylinder; 50 mL x 1 mL
Dual-Scale Thermometer with Dial; 5" Stem; 50° - 500°F (0° -
250°C)
#170-04 CO2 Pressurize Unit:
#143-02-10 CO2 Puncture Head Assembly
#143-03 Barrel for CO2 Cartridge
#170-08 Regulator
#170-20 Manifold Block
#170-32 1/8" x 1/8" NPT Male Needle Valve
#171-22 Retaining Pin
#171-34 1,500-PSI Gauge; 2"; ¼" NPT Bottom
#170-06 Back Pressure Receiver; 15-mL Stainless Steel Tube for CO2
#143-00 Regulator
#143-01 200-PSI Gauge; 1/8" Bottom Connection
#143-02-10 CO2 Puncture Head Assembly
#143-03 Barrel for CO2 Cartridge
#143-06 Safety Bleeder Valve
#144-11 1/8" 90 Street Ell
#170-07 O-ring
#170-28 Receiver Body
#170-32 1/8" x 1/8" NPT Male Needle Valve
#171-22 Retaining Pin
#170-12 Cell Body; 1,500 PSI; 316 Stainless Steel
#170-13 Cell O-ring; Buna N; Qty: 2
#170-14 Cell Cap; 1,500 PSI
#170-16 Valve Stem; Qty: 2
#170-17 Valve Stem O-ring; Qty: 6
#170-19 Filter Paper; 2½" (6.35 cm); Specially Hardened for Filter Presses
#170-26 Stainless Steel Locking Screw; Qty: 6
#170-27 Allen Wrench; 5/32"
#170-35 6" Adjustable Wrench

#170-00 HTHP Filter Press; Single-End, 175-mL Cell; CO2; 115V

#170-00-1 Heating Jacket; 115 Volt:
#170-05 Thermostat for HTHP Filter Press 50-500
#170-09 Insulation Board
#170-10 Thermostat Pilot Light
#170-11 Heating Element; 115V; 200W; Qty: 2
#170-15 Base
#170-21 Stand Support Rod; Qty: 2
#170-25 Aluminum Well
#170-30 Stainless Steel Thermostat Cover
#170-44 ½" Rubber Foot; Qty: 4
#171-32 Midget Knob
#171-82 8' Power Cord with Male Plug Only; 16/3 SJ; Round

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 3
 #170-01 HTHP Filter Press; Single-End, 175-mL Cell; CO2; 230V
#170-01-1 Heating Jacket; 230 Volt:
#164-32 Male Connector for Power Cable; 230V
#170-05 Thermostat for HTHP Filter Press 50-500
#170-09 Insulation Board
#170-10 Thermostat Pilot Light
#170-11 Heating Element; 115V; 200W; Qty: 2
#170-15 Base
#170-21 Stand Support Rod; Qty: 2
#170-25 Aluminum Well
#170-30 Stainless Steel Thermostat Cover
#170-44 ½" Rubber Foot; Qty: 4
#171-32 Midget Knob

Optional:
#143-05: EZ Puncture CO2 Bulbs; 8-Gram; UN #1013; Package of 10
#170-03: Stainless Steel Carrying Case
#170-13-3 Test Cell O-ring; Viton® (For temperatures over 300°F/149°C)
#170-33: HTHP Cell Cap Puller
#170-40: Test Cell Removal and Carrying Tool

#170-00-SP Spare Parts for One Year for 170-00:

#140-60-01 O-ring for Bleeder Valve; Qty: 6
#143-00-1 Diaphragm for Airco Regulator; Qty: 2
#143-01 200-PSI Gauge; 1/8" Bottom Connection
#143-02-13 O-ring for Puncture Pin Holder Assembly; CO2 Cartridge; Qty: 2
#143-02-14 O-ring for Puncture Pin Holder Assembly; Qty: 2
#143-05 EZ Puncture CO2 Bulbs; Package of 10 (8-Gram); UN
#1013; Qty: 60
#143-07 Repair Kit for Regulator (#143-00) ; Qty: 2
#153-14 Graduated Cylinder; 50 mL x 1 mL; Qty: 2
#154-10 Dual-Scale Thermometer with Dial; 5" Stem; 50° - 500°F
(0° - 250°C)
#165-44 High-Temperature Thread Lubricant; 1 oz. Tube; Qty: 2
#170-05 Thermostat for HTHP Filter Press 50-500
#170-10 Thermostat Pilot Light
#170-11 115V, 200W Heating Element; Qty: 2
#170-13 Cell O-ring; Buna N; Qty: 50
#170-16 Valve Stem; Qty: 4
#170-17 Valve Stem O-ring; Qty: 100
#170-19 Filter Paper; 2½" (6.35 cm); Specially Hardened for Filter
Presses; Qty: 10
#170-26 Stainless Steel Locking Screw; Qty: 24
#170-27 Allen Wrench; 5/32"
#171-22 Retaining Pin; Qty: 2
#171-34 2", 1500-PSI Gauge; ¼" NPT Bottom

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 4
 Safety Nitrogen must be supplied in an approved Nitrogen Gas Cylinder and
secured to meet safety standards.

Carbon Dioxide gas is normally supplied in small bulbs or cartridges, which

contain approximately 900 PSI (6,206 kPa) pressure when new. Because
they are highly portable, they are usually used in field operations. These
bulbs should not be exposed to high heat (50°C/120°F) as they can
explode if over heated.

Carbon Dioxide cartridges are pressurized to approximately 900 PSI at 1

atmosphere (sea level). Therefore, they should never be transported by
airplane without proper packing because cabin de-pressurization may
cause an explosion.

Do not use nitrous oxide cartridges as pressure sources for high-tem-


!
Important
perature, high-pressure (HTHP) filtration. Under high temperature
and pressure, nitrous oxide can detonate in the presence of grease,
oil, or carbonaceous materials. Nitrous oxide cartridges are to be
used only for Garrett Gas Train Carbonate Analysis.

Due to the high temperatures and pressures involved in this test, extreme
care must be exercised at all times. All safety precautions must be met,
especially in the cell breakdown procedure after the filtration procedure has
been completed.

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 5
 Pressuring
Assembly

Valve Stem
Cell Assembly

Heating Jacket

Thermometer

Back Pressure
Regulator

T-Screw Retaining
Pin
Relief
Valve

T-Screw

Relief Valve
Retaining Pin

Pressuring Assembly Back Pressure Regulator

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 6
 Operation 1. Connect the heating well power cord to an appropriate power source.
Place a dial-type metal thermometer into the well in the heating jacket
and preheat to 10°F (6°C) above the desired test temperature. A pilot
light will come on when the heating jacket is at the desired temperature
as selected by the thermostat control knob.

2. Be sure all of the o-rings on the valve stems are in good working condi-
tion (pliable with no nicks or cuts, etc.), and are not damaged during the
assembly procedures. Place a thin film of silicone grease on all o-
rings. Screw a valve stem into the test cell on the side opposite the cell
cap. Tighten the valve stem completely.


Standard Buna o-rings (#170-13) should be used only for tests up to
300°F (149°C). For tests over 300°F (149°C), use Viton® o-rings (#170-
13-3). After tests that come close to the maximum temperature, it will
Note probably be necessary to replace the o-rings.

3. Stir the sample for 10 minutes with a high-speed mixer. Carefully pour
the sample into the cell. Do not fill the cell closer than 0.5" (13 mm)
from the o-ring groove to allow for heat expansion of the fluid. Be care-
ful not to spill fluid on the o-ring inside the cell.

4. Place an o-ring in the cell and another in the cell cap recess. Place a
circle of filter paper on top of the cell o-ring and slowly push the cell cap
into the cell. Make sure the arrow on the cell cap lines up with the
arrow on the cell body.


!
Important
If the cap locking screw seats are oval shaped and no longer
round, there is a possibility of stress failure and the cap should be
replaced.
Cap Locking Screws Arrows

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 7
 5. Tighten the cap locking screws and tighten both valve stems. Place the
cell in the heating jacket with the outlet or filter side of the cell pointed
down. Rotate the cell in the heating jacket so that the pin in the bottom
of the heating well seats into the hole in the bottom of the cell. This will
anchor the cell inside the well and prevent the cell from rotating as the
valve stems are opened and closed. Transfer the thermometer from
the heating jacket to the thermometer well within the cell.

Cap Locking
Screws (#170-26)
Valve Stem
(#170-16)

Cell Cap With

Screen (#170-14)

Allen Wrench Valve Stem (#170-16)

5/32" (#170-27)

Valve Stem O-ring (#170-17) Cell Cap O-ring (#170-13)

6. Connect the pressuring assembly to the top valve stem and lock it in
place with the retaining pin. Place the back pressure receiver on the
bottom valve assembly and also lock it in place with the retaining pin.

Retaining Pin (#171-22)

Retaining Pin (#171-22)
Pressuring Assembly
(#170-04)

Back Pressure
Receiver (#170-06)

Valve Stem
(#170-16)

Valve Stem
(#170-16)

Top of Heating Jacket Bottom of Heating Jacket

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 8
 7. Keeping the valves closed, adjust the top and bottom regulators to the
recommended back pressure for your test. Open (loosen) the top valve
stem ½ turn to pressurize the sample. Maintain this pressure on the
fluid until the desired temperature is stabilized, as indicated by the ther-
mometer. The heating time of the sample should never exceed one
hour.

The upper and lower limits of the test pressure differential are deter-
mined by the test temperature. As this temperature exceeds 212°F


Note
(100°C), the back pressure must be increased in order to prevent
vaporization of the filtrate. The 500 PSI differential pressure must be
maintained, so the top pressure will have to be increased accordingly.
The table below shows the pressures recommended for various test
temperatures.

Recommended Minimum Back Pressure

Minimum Back
Test Temperature Vapor Pressure
Pressure
°F °C PSI kPa PSI kPa

212 100 14.7 101 100 690

250 121 30 207 100 690

300 149 67 462 100 690

350 177 135 932 160 1104

8. When the fluid sample reaches the desired test temperature, increase
the pressure on the top pressure unit to 500 PSI (3,448 kPa) more than
the back pressure. Open (loosen) the bottom valve stem ½ turn to initi-
ate filtration.

9. Collect the filtrate for 30 minutes maintaining the selected test tempera-
ture within ± 5°F (± 3°C). If the back pressure rises above 100 PSI
(690 kPa) during the test, cautiously reduce the pressure by opening
the valve on the receiver and drawing off some of the filtrate into the
graduated cylinder.

10. At the end of the test, close (tighten) the top and bottom valve stems to
seal off the cell. Turn the regulator T-screws counter-clockwise to close
off the flow of pressurized gas. Open the outlet valve on the back pres-
sure receiver to collect all of the filtrate in the graduated cylinder.
Release the pressure from the top and bottom pressuring units by
opening the needle and/or bleeder valves.

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 9
 11. Remove the top and bottom valve stem retaining pins and remove the
top pressure and the back pressure assemblies. Drain any residual fil-
trate collected in the receiver into the graduated cylinder. Remove the
cell from the heating jacket after once again checking that the cell valve
stems are tightly closed. Allow it to cool to room temperature or quick
cool the cell by immersion in cool water.

Pressure inside the sample cell will still be approximately 500 PSI


(3,450 kPa). Keep the cell upright and cool it to room temperature
! before disassembling. The cell must be cool for at least one hour
Important at room temperature or at least 10 minutes in cool water before
loosening the cap locking screws and removing the cell cap.

12. Correct the total filtrate volume collected to a standard filtration test
area of 7.1 in2 (45.8 cm2) by doubling the filtrate volume collected in 30
minutes. Record this total filtrate volume (doubled), temperature, pres-
sure, and time.

13. Using extreme care to save the filter paper and deposited cake, place
the cooled cell upright with the outlet (cap side) or filter side down.
Open (loosen) the inlet valve stem to bleed off pressure from the cell
body.

Pressure cannot be relieved from the cell by opening the outlet valve

 Tip
stem as the filter cake will seal off the cell. It is a good idea to open the
valve stem with the cell inside a sink, or with a rag over the valve stem
in order to catch any liquid that might be ejected.

14. Loosen, but do not remove, the six cap locking screws, and separate
the cap from the cell with a slight rocking motion. Discard the fluid
inside the cell unless it is required for further testing, and retrieve the fil-
ter cake.

15. Wash the filter cake on the paper with a gentle stream of water.
Measure and report the thickness of the filter cake to the nearest 1/32
in (0.8 mm).

16. Clean and dry the apparatus thoroughly after each use. Inspect and, if
necessary, replace all of the o-rings.

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 10
 Diagram
1,500-PSI Gauge
(#171-34)

Barrel for CO2 Bulb

(#143-03)
High-Pressure
Regulator (#170-08)

Manifold Block
Needle Valve
(#170-20)
(#170-32)
Retaining Pin
Valve Stem (#170-16) (#171-22)

Valve Stem O-ring

(#170-17)
Heating Jacket
(#170-00-1/#170-01-1) Test Cell Body
(#170-12)

Test Cell O-ring

Cell Cap (#170-14) (#170-13)

Regulator (#143-00) Valve Stem (#170-16)

Retaining Pin
(#171-22)
Valve Stem O-ring
(#170-17)

200-PSI Gauge Receiver Body

(#143-01) (#170-28)

Support Rod
CO2 Puncture Head
(#170-71)
Assembly (#143-02-10)

Barrel for CO2 Bulb Receiver O-ring

(#143-03) (#170-07)
(Not Shown)
Safety Bleeder
Valve (#143-06)
Base (#170-15)

Needle Valve 1/8" 90 Street Ell

(#170-32) (#144-11) (Not Shown)

OFITE, P.O. Box 925918, Houston, TX 77292-5918 USA / Tel: 713-880-9885 / Fax: 713-880-9886 / www.ofite.com 11