Which gauge shows the number of times one mud pump piston moves per minute?

Which gauge shows the number of times one mud pump piston moves per minute?

• A. Rotary Tachometer
• B. Trip Tank Volume Indicator
• C. Pump Rate Gauge
• D. Prime Mover

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how we quantify how often the mud pump piston completes a full stroke in one minute. The instrument that displays that cadence is the pump rate gauge, which shows strokes per minute directly, matching the piston’s reciprocating motion. A rotary tachometer measures how fast something is rotating (revolutions per minute) and doesn’t directly translate to the up-and-down piston strokes. The trip tank volume indicator tracks mud volume in the trip tank, not the pumping frequency. The prime mover is simply the driving motor and doesn’t provide a readout of piston movement rate.

The concept being tested is how we quantify how often the mud pump piston completes a full stroke in one minute. The instrument that displays that cadence is the pump rate gauge, which shows strokes per minute directly, matching the piston’s reciprocating motion. A rotary tachometer measures how fast something is rotating (revolutions per minute) and doesn’t directly translate to the up-and-down piston strokes. The trip tank volume indicator tracks mud volume in the trip tank, not the pumping frequency. The prime mover is simply the driving motor and doesn’t provide a readout of piston movement rate.