Herschel-Bulkley rheological model has a yield-value and three parameters. It can represent the properties of the usually used Newtonian, Bingham and power-law fluids at the same time. Besides, it is widely available and accurate.
With the help of the basic rheological model, in this paper we have discussed the rheological parameters, shear thinning and the capability of lifting cuttings or drilling fluid and cement slurry, and presented some reasonable methods of calculating these rheologecal parameters. By simplifying the hydraulic parameters of the canals, we have derived quite accurate formulae of the pressure drop, shear rate and Reynolds number.