Experiment: Analyzing Fluid Viscosity

Primary Objective:

 Analyze the rheological characteristics i.e. fluid flow characteristics of given samples
of lubricating oils/fuels with the help of Redwood-I, Redwood-II Viscometer and
Engler Viscometer by calculating the kinematic (centistoke) /dynamic viscosity
(poise).

Secondary objective:

 To understand the concept of viscosity and related theories i.e. Newtonian fluids,
shear thinning/thickening fluids etc.
 To study the effect of temperature on viscosity of different fluids.

Hypothesis:

 Viscosity of vegetable oil is higher than diesel.

 Viscosity of engine oils doesn’t increase/decrease with temperature.

Theory:

Viscosity is a property of a liquid and is defined as the resistance of a liquid to flow.

Mathematically, viscosity is represented as 𝜇 = 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠/𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = 𝜏/
(𝜕𝑢/𝜕𝑦).

Viscosity is a property arising from collisions between neighboring particles in a fluid that
are moving at different velocities. When the fluid is forced through a tube, the particles which
comprise the fluid generally move more quickly near the tubes axis and more slowly near its
wall; therefore some stress (such as a pressure difference between the two ends of the tube),
is needed to overcome the friction between particle layers and keep the fluid moving. For the
same velocity pattern, the stress required is proportional to the fluid’s viscosity. A fluid has
no resistance to shear stress is known as an ideal fluid. Zero viscosity is observes only at low
temperature, in super fluids. Otherwise all fluids have positive viscosity, and are technically
said to be viscous or viscid fluid. Fluid flow plays a very important part in the processing of
materials.

A liquid in a state of steady flow on a surface may be supposed to consist of series of parallel
layers moving one above the other. If any two layers of liquid moves with different
velocities, the top layer moves faster than next layer due to viscous drag. If viscosity of oil is
too low, then a liquid oil film can’t be maintained between two moving parts or sliding
surfaces and consequently excessive wear and tear will take place, on other hand if viscosity
is too high it will results in excessive friction

A redwood viscometer is used to measure the flow of eight different liquids including engine
oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, glycerol, thermic fluid, coconut oil, water and ghee. Kinematic
viscosity is determined by redwood viscometer with help of its constants.

Tools/ Material required:

 Redwood viscometer
 50ml receiving flask
 Stopwatch
 Thermometer
 Sample: engine oil

Apparatus: Redwood viscometer setup:

Redwood viscometer Consists of a cylindrical oil cup furnished with a gauge point, agate /
metallic Orifice jet at the bottom having a concave depression from inside to facilitate a ball
with stiff wire to act as a valve to start or stop oil flow. The outer side of the orifice jet is
convex, so that the oil under test does not creep over the lower face of the oil cup. The oil cup
is surrounded by a water bath with a circular electrical immersion heater and a stirring device.
Two thermometers are provided to measure water bath temp & oil temperature under test. A
round flat-bottomed flask of 50ml marking, to measure 50 ml of oil flow against time. The
water bath with oil cup is supported on a tripod stand with leveling screws. The cylinder is
47.625mm in diameter and 88.90mm deep. The orifice is 1.70mm in diameter and 12mm in
length, this viscometer is used to determine the kinematic viscosity of the oil.

Procedure:

 Clean the oil cup with a solvent preferably and wipe it dry thoroughly with a paper
napkins or a soft cloth and the orifice jet with a fine thread.
 Keep the water bath with oil cup on the tripod stand and level it.
 Pour water into the water bath up to 15 to 20mm below the top portion
 Keep the valve in position and pour clean filtered oil sample to be tested into the oil
cup up to the gauge point and cover it with the lid.
 Take a clean dry 50ml flask and place it under the orifice jet of the oil cup and center
it.
 Heat the water to any desired temperature while continuously stirring the water with
the stirring device and occasionally the oil sample with the thermometer. Once the
temperature of the oil reaches the required temperature start the experiment.
 Open the valve. Simultaneously start a stop watch and allow the oil into the receiving
flask.
 Adjust the receiving flask (50ml) in such a way that the oil string coming out of the
jet strikes the neck of the flask to avoid foaming (formation of air bubbles) on the oil
surface.
 Wait till the oil level touches the 50 ml mark stop the watch and record the time in
sec.
 Repeat the experiment at different temperatures.
  Plot the relevant graphs.

Safety Measures:

Personal protecting equipment’s:

 Use lab coats during lab

 Use safety goggles

 Use safety gloves while working at station
 Wear closed-toe shoes at all times in the lab.
 Long must be tied back.
 Pay close attention to any cautions described in the laboratory exercises.

Hazards and Operability analysis:

 Check all the valves before starting the experiment.

 Wear proper safety glasses and gloves.
 When working around stay behind safety barriers

Observation and Calculations:

Kinematic viscosity:
B
У ¿ (A x t ) - ( )
t
Where,
У= Kinematic viscosity in centistokes
A = Viscometer constant which can be determine by equipment
B = Coefficient of kinetic energy
t = Time of flow in seconds

Sample Temperatur Time taken kinematic Dynamic viscosity

e of oil °C to fill 50 ml viscosity g/cm sec
flask (sec) (c.St)
1 Kerosene 50 °C 640 1.58 1.28
2 Diesel 50 °C 940 2.321 1.97
3 Engine Oil 50 °C 1540 41.567 36.16

Calculations:
Kerosene
 0.5
  (A  t)  (B/t) =( 0.00247∗640 )− ( 640 ) = 1.58 centistoke
Diesel
0.5
  (A  t)  (B/t) = ( 0.00247∗940 ) − ( 940 ) = 2.321 centistoke
Engine Oil
20
  (A  t)  (B/t) =( 0.027∗1540 )− ( 1540 ) = 41.567 centistoke
Dynamic viscosity:
Density of:
Kerosene = 0.81 g/ml Diesel = 0.85 g/ml engine oil = 0.87 g/ml
Dynamic viscosity = kinematic viscosity x Density (g / cm sec)
Kerosene = 1.28 g / cm sec
Diesel = 1.97 g / cm sec
Engine oil = 36.16 g / cm sec
Conclusion:
 The viscosity of all liquids tested was found to be dependent on the temperature of the
liquids. As the temperature of the liquid rises, our experiment showed that viscosity of
the liquids goes down and vice versa. This is due to temperature rise of molecules of
which causes decrease in cohesive forces of the molecules.
 Viscosity varies with material.
 The viscosity of simple liquids decreases with increasing temperature and increases
under very high pressures.
Industrial applications of viscosity:
In most engineering processes fluids are used either as raw materials, reagents, or as the final products
therefore, the engineers require a good understanding of fluid mechanics and transport process in
which viscosity plays an important role.
The viscosity and factors affecting it are important to define the production and cost efficiency
along with in process designing.

The following are examples of how viscosity measurements are used in different industries:

Food: Viscosity measurements are used in the food industry to maximize production efficiency and
cost effectiveness. It affects the rate at which a product travels through a pipe, how long it takes to set
or dry, and the time it takes to dispense the fluid into packaging. The production process has to be
designed with the viscosity of the product in mind, making sure that pipes are angled to optimize
flow, or that dispensers provide the right amount of force to induce flow, but not so much that the
packaging will overfill. Viscosity is also a characteristic of the texture of food. The product’s
viscosity must be measured and monitored during production to ensure that each batch is consistent
and will go through the production process efficiently. 

Adhesives: To choose the right viscosity for an adhesive, consider how the adhesive must flow, or not
flow, on a part after the adhesive is applied. Low-viscosity adhesives will flow more readily than
high-viscosity ones, so if you want an adhesive to stay exactly where you put it after dispensing –
rather than spread out – a high-viscosity adhesive is ideal. 

Other Industries

Petroleum: Viscosity measurements project the effectiveness of lubricating oil and determines design
elements of pipelines.

Concrete: Viscosity determines the self-leveling and pumping behavior of a mix.

Cosmetics: Viscosity should be considered when designing the feel and flow of cosmetic products.