Viscosity measurement of liquids

1. Measuring kinematic viscosity with Ostwald viscosimeter

Ostwald viscosimeter measures the relative viscosity of liquids based on the calculation of
the volumetric flow rate in a laminar flow in a circular duct (Hagen-Poiseuille motion). In
laminar flow the layers of fluid are parallel and for a circular flow the motion is telescopical,
the cylindrical thin layers of fluid will flow with variable velocities.

The
dynamic
balance of
forces on a
cylindrical
element of
radius r
(current)
and length
L, found in
continuous
laminar
r
dv r
= 0 ( a = 0)
flow dt
r
deci �Fext = 0

The acting forces are masic forces F m and surface forces (Ffr –friction forces on lateral area,
Fp pressure forces –perpendicular on surfaces in sections 1 and 2. By projecting F m on flow
direction, Fmx=0, and the weight is negligible.

Fp1 - Fp 2 = p r 2 ( p1 - p2 )
Ffr = 2p rLt
t � pentru că se discută un fluid newtonian se poate formula
dv
t =h
dr
p r ( p1 - p2 ) - 2p rLt = 0
2

dv
r ( p1 - p2 ) - 2 Lh =0
dr

Here τ is shear stress (F/S)

Separating the variables:

 p1 - p2
dv = rdr
2p L
r0 p - p p - p2 2 2
v=�1
r 2p L
2
rdr = 1
4p L
( r0 - r )
Speed distribution in section is parabolic and distribution of shear stress τ(r) is linear.

The flow rate can be calculated using the area element dS

dS = 2p rdr , şi debitul pe conductă este
r0 r0
Q= �dQ = �2p r v ( r ) dr
0 0

p ( p1 - p2 ) r04
= �
2h L 4

pDp r04 D
Q= � înlocuind r0 =
2h L 4 2
pDpD 4
Q=
128h L

Expressing dynamic viscosity ,h

p D 4 Dp t J
h= � unde Q =
128 L J t

Adding the relation Dp = r gh (difference of pressure between capillary edges).

For a laminar flow

p D4 �
r gh t p D 4 gh
h= � = k rt k=
128 L J 128 LJ

Here k is apparatus constant based on geometric elements and physical constants

Relation is true for a liquid with known physical properties (for example, pure water or
distilled water) and liquids with unknown properties (index x).
h0 = k r0t0 sau n 0 = kt0 t 0 = timpul de scurgere prin capilar pentru apa distilată
h x = k r xt x sau n x = kt x t x = timpul de scurgere prin capilar, pentru lichidul cu
vâscozitatea încă necunoscută
r t
h x = h0 x x
r 0 t0

(t0- time of passing the volume of fluid for distilled water)

(tx- time of passing the volume of fluid with unknown viscosity)

Description of installation and procedure

The procedure is in accordance with British

standard BS 188 –Methods for Determination of the
Viscosity of Liquids. Ostwald viscosimeter is
similar to a U shaped piezometric tube, with
uneven sections, open at both ends. The right side
has a capillary tube. The viscosimeter is
suspended to be horizontal.

- Using the vacuum pump it is aspirated

distilled water through capillary tube until
the level reaches the upper level line;
- It is measured the flowing time (using a
chronometer) of distilled water to reach the
lower level;
- It is found from tables the kinematic
viscosity at the temperature of the
experiment;
- It is calculated the constant k of the Ostwald tube.
p D 4 gh
h = k r t unde k= � sau
128 LJ
u = kt
 Temperature variation of kinematic and dynamic viscosity for water

Viscosity is proportional with flowing time, the constant k depends on geometric data of the
tube which does not vary.Using the value of kinametic viscosity form graphic and measured
time it results the constant of the tube.
n adist
n adist = kt adist  k =
t adist

Then the same procedure is done for other fluid, diesel fuel for example. The tube was
previously cleaned and dried in order to eliminate water from capillary tube to prevent
contamination of the following sample.
u = kt
Data processing

Distilled water at 22°C has a mean flowing time of tm=t=343,5 s

u .98 10 -6
k= = = ......m 2 / s
t 343,5

For diesel fuel the flowing time was 14 min and 43 sec ,
 So u = k  t = ........ -.6  = ....10 -6 m 2 / s

Home work

Verify if the sample of diesel fuel verifies the viscosity condition imposed by the standard
EN 590, i.e. u 40C = 2...4.5mm 2 / s (1 centiStokes=1cSt=1mm2/s=10-6 m2/s). As the viscosity
varies dramatically with temperature, the appropriate equation is:

lg lg(uT  0.7 )  = A - B lg T

with lg- decimal logarithm, uT -viscosity at temperature T, A, B-
numerical constants, T –absolute temperature in Kelvin.

Assuming that the diesel fuel has u 70C = 1.5mm 2 / s at 70 C and the kinematic viscosity at 22
is the one calculated above, find out using the equation above the kinematic viscosity at 40C.

Indication By replacing the values for logarithmic equation for measurement at 22 and 70, it
will result a system with unknowns A and B.

2.Measuring dynamic viscosity with Brookfield viscosimeter

For high viscosity substances the method of Ostwald tube lasts many hours and is prefered
another type of viscosimeter which measures the dynamic viscosity η :

Rotational viscosimeter or Brookfield viscosimeter

Classical Brookfield viscometers employ the principle of rotational viscometry -
the torque required to turn an object, such as a spindle, in a fluid indicates the viscosity of
the fluid. Torque is applied through a calibrated spring to a disk or spindle immersed in test
fluid and the spring deflection measures the viscous drag of the fluid against the spindle. The
amount of viscous drag is proportional to the amount of torque required to rotate the spindle,
and thus to the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid.

The apparatus measures the dynamic viscosity with the formula

h = k

with η-dynamic viscosity ( in mPas)

k-coefficient in function of speed and number of spindle
α-reading of the dial apparatus
Values for K

K[speed]/spindle 1 2 3 4
6 10 50 200 1000
12 5 25 100 500
30 2 10 40 200
60 1 5 20 100
The measurement of rape seed oil at temperature of 22. It was used only spindle no.1.

.....

The measurement of used transmission oil

.....

Fill in the table with read values for rapeseed oil

Reading α Spindle Spindle Spindle Spindle

Speed 1 2 3 4
6 x - - -
12 y - - -
30 z - -
60 w -
Checking the proportionality of readings on several speeds
h = k = 1  w = 2  z  5  y  10  x = ... mPas for spindle 1

Homework

Check in Internet literature if that measured value could be true.

Calculate the kinematic viscosity of rapeseed oil using dynamic viscosity measured here.

The relative density of rapeseed oil is 0.92.