BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 1 - Problem 1A.

1 Page 1 of 2

Problem 1A.1
Estimation of dense-gas viscosity. Estimate the viscosity of nitrogen at 68°F and 1000 psig
by means of Fig. 1.3-1, using the critical viscosity from Table E.1. Give the result in units of
lbm /ft · s. For the meaning of “psig,” see Table F.3-2.

Answer: 1.4 × 10−5 lbm /ft · s

Solution

From Table E.1 on page 864 we look up some facts about nitrogen gas N2 , namely the critical
temperature Tc , the critical pressure pc , and the critical viscosity µc :
g
Tc = 126.2 K pc = 33.5 atm µc = 180 × 10−6 .
cm · s
In order to calculate the reduced temperature Tr and the reduced pressure pr , we use the formulas,
T p
Tr = and pr = .
Tc pc
To use them, though, we have to make the units consistent, so convert 68°F into K and 1000 psig
(pounds per square inch gage pressure) into atm. Use the formula,
5
K = (F + 459.67),
9
to calculate the temperature in Kelvin: T = 293.15 K. From Table F.3-2 on page 869, we find
that 1 psig = 6.8046 × 10−2 atm, so

×
6.8046 × 10−2 atm
p = 1000 
psig = 68.046 atm.
1psig


Thus,
293.15 K 68.046 
atm

Tr = ≈ 2.32 and pr =  ≈ 2.03.
126.2 K 33.5 
atm
Now that we know Tr and pr , we can use the graph on page 22 to determine µr , the reduced
viscosity.

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BSL Transport Phenomena 2e Revised: Chapter 1 - Problem 1A.1 Page 2 of 2

Figure 1: Use Fig. 1.3-1 in the text to determine µr .

We see that µr ≈ 1.15. The relationship between the viscosity µ and µr is

µ
µr = ,
µc
so  g  g
µ = µr µc ≈ 1.15 180 × 10−6 = 2.07 × 10−4 .
cm · s cm · s
To convert this to the desired units, use the conversion factor in Table F.3-4 on page 870,
1 g/cm · s = 6.7197 × 10−2 lbm /ft · s.

g  6.7197 × 10−2 lb m
lbm
µ ≈ 2.07 × 10−4  × g
ft·s
≈ 1.39098 × 10−5
cm · s
 1 cm·s
 ft · s

Because of 68°F in the problem statement, we round to two significant figures. Therefore, the
viscosity of nitrogen gas is
lbm
µ ≈ 1.4 .
ft · s

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