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Viscosity of Oil

This document describes an experiment conducted by a student to determine the viscosity of oil at different temperatures using a Redwood Viscometer. The experiment measured the time taken for oil to drain from the viscometer into a flask at increasing temperature increments from 24°C to 94°C. The results showed that as temperature increased, the viscosity of the oil decreased as evidenced by the decreasing drain times. This relationship between temperature and viscosity is important for selecting lubricating fluids used in engines and machines to optimize performance over a range of operating temperatures.

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Richard Puni
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387 views5 pages

Viscosity of Oil

This document describes an experiment conducted by a student to determine the viscosity of oil at different temperatures using a Redwood Viscometer. The experiment measured the time taken for oil to drain from the viscometer into a flask at increasing temperature increments from 24°C to 94°C. The results showed that as temperature increased, the viscosity of the oil decreased as evidenced by the decreasing drain times. This relationship between temperature and viscosity is important for selecting lubricating fluids used in engines and machines to optimize performance over a range of operating temperatures.

Uploaded by

Richard Puni
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND

TECHNOLOGY
KUMASI




DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY



THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY
TO DETERMINE THE VISCOSTY OF FLUID





NAME: RICHARD PUNI
INDEX#: 3756809
GROUP: 7
DATE: 19
TH
APRIL 2011


TO DETERMINE THE VISCOSTY OF A FLUID

INTRODUCTION
With reference to the problem of pumping oil in a circuit, the property known as Viscosity
which is the property of a fluid that tends to prevent it from flowing when subjected to a force
is of considerable importance. Fluids with high viscosity resist flow whereas low viscous
fluids flow easily(less resistant to flow). Whilst there are several ways by which the absolute
viscosity may be determined in a fluid specification, it is easier and comprehensive to
measure the viscosity with the Redwood Viscometer. This measures the viscosity at several
temperatures which gives an overall value of the viscosity of the fluid and may even be used
to specify working temperatures, if the fluid is to be used as a lubricant. There are two types
of Redwood Viscometer. The smaller is said to be Number 1 and is used for lighter oil such
as diesel and brake fluid. The larger viscometer (Number 2) is used for thicker oil such as
grease and bitumen oil.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the viscosity of oil at specific temperature.
THEORY
If the temperature of a liquid increases, its viscosity decreases. Increasing the temperature of
the liquid reduces the cohesive forces between its molecules. This results in the liquid
showing a reduction in viscosity with increasing temperature which is of the form
p
1
=
p
0
1 +A
1
I + BI
2

Where p
1
= :iscosity ot I
p
0
= :iscosity ot u
A
1
onJ B = Constonts JcpcnJing upon tc liquiJ
As the temperature of a liquid increases its properties change; its fluidity increases, its density
decreases and it becomes thinner.
APPARATUS
1. Thermometer
2. Redwood Viscometer
3. Stop watch
4. Stirrer


DIAGRAM OF SET UP
Redwood Viscometer
thermometer
oil can

PROCEDURE
1 The tap was closed and water was poured into the water jacket.
2 The orifice of the oil cylinder was secured with a ball valve and filled with the oil
until the level reaches the fixed level pointer mark.
3 The initial temperature of the oil was recorded and the time taken by the oil to reach
the 50ml mark of the graduated flask while draining down the orifice was recorded.
4 The procedure was repeated for 10 increments of temperature. This was done by
heating the water. When the required temperature was reached heating was stopped
and the water was stirred to bring the oil to an equivalent temperature. Anytime the
temperature of the water fell below what was required, heating was restarted.
5 The procedure was repeated for the temperatures24, S4, 44, S4, 64, 74,
8494.
6 Since the boiling point of water is 1uu, the temperature readings are not allowed to
exceed 99.
7 After readings were taken, the water jacket was emptied of the water.
TABLE OF RESULTS
Temperature
/C Time (sec)
24 40.01
34 36.06
44 32.51
54 28.50
64 25.05
74 23.11
84 21.50
94 19.52

GRAPH


COMMENTS
As the temperature of the oil increased the time taken for it to drain down into the flask
decreased. This was primarily due to the viscosity of the fluid decreasing as the temperature
was increased. This can be explained by the fact that as the temperature of a liquid increased
the intermolecular forces of attractions in the liquid was reduced. This caused the cohesive
forces between the liquid particles to decrease, leading to the liquid offering less resistance to
flow.
SOURCES OF ERROR
It was impossible to stop the stopwatch at the time the fluid reaches the 50ml mark since it
rose very fast at around the neck of the flask.
PRECAUTIONS
The oil was not allowed to drain directly to the bottom of the flask rather it was allowed to
drain down the side of the flask. This was to prevent bubbling thereby making meniscus
visible.
Thermometers were not allowed to touch the walls of the containers
Temperature of water used for heating fluid was not allowed to exceed 100.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
0 20 40 60 80 100
time in seconds
temperature in degree celcius
A graph of Time against temperature
CONCLUSION
One of the major factors taken into consideration when selecting lubricating fluid to be used
in engines, turbines and other mechanical part is viscosity. The lubricating fluid selected
should be able to maintain its viscosity even at high working temperatures and also should
not become excessively viscous for starting at low temperatures. This experiment can be used
to check for the selection of lubricant fluids for use in engines, turbines and other machines
that may need lubrication to reduce wear. It can also be used to specify the most suitable
working temperature for the fluid.
REFERENCES
Applied thermodynamics by T D Eastop and A. McConkey
Experiments on heat transfer and thermodynamics by Robert A. Granger
Microsoft Encarta 2009

Richard Puni
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
Kwame Nkrumah University Of Science and Technology
19
th
April 2011

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