1. n. [Drilling Fluids]
A mud distillation unit used to measure the water, oil and solids content of a mud. It consists of a cylindrical body fitted with a mud sample holder, a heater element (or an oven) and an aluminum condenser. A graduated glass receiver catches and measures the volumes of water and oil that condense from the mud. Retort devices are available in three sizes, 10-, 20- and 50-cm3 , which are the volumes of mud placed in the retort sample cup. Data from the test are volume percent water, oil and retort solids.
Alternate Form: mud retort, mud still
See related terms: calcium sulfate, meniscus, oil/brine ratio, oil/water ratio, synthetic/brine ratio, synthetic/water ratio, water, oil, and solids test
