An experimental apparatus was developed capable of measuring changes in fluid viscosity occurring due to acoustic stimulation. Controls allowed measurements at simulated oil sand reservoir pressures and temperatures with near real-time data visualization. Calibration was performed using NIST-traceable viscosity standards. Parametric acoustic excitation experiments were performed on bitumen, bentonite slurries, and viscosity standards at 500psi static pressure, 20-80°C temperatures, ±100-400psi acoustic pressures, and 5-20Hz sinusoidal frequencies.

The viscosities of bitumen and NIST standards were unaffected by excitation at any of these amplitudes/frequencies. Bentonite showed viscosity reductions as large as 75% with a positive correlation observed between acoustic excitation amplitude and magnitude of reduction. Frequency variation had minimal to no effect on viscosity. Bentonite viscosities quickly approached minimum values after the start of stimulation but took hours to plateau. Once stimulation ceased, slurries recovered to their pre-stimulated viscosities. Viscometer damage that occurred during testing prevented collection of results for oil sand.