PSG COLLEGE OF TECHNOLOGY, COIMBATORE

- 641 004

DEPARTMENT OF INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

ENGINEERING
19U501 - INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTATION - I

VISCOSITY
MEASUREMENT Boomisha S (22U210)
Poornima Devi
M(22U230)
VISCOSI
TY• measure of fluid’s resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress
or tensile stress
• property of fluid which affects its behaviour
• Formula:
• SI unit: Pascal second CGS unit: Poise
• Kinematic viscosity: ratio of dynamic viscosity to density of fluid
• SI unit: Stokes or centistokes
• Viscometer - An instrument to measure viscosity
 VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT IS USED FOR
•
DETERMINING
Flowability of fluids
• Concentration, size and shape of solids in a slurry
• Molecular weight and its distribution in high molecular weight
substances
• Color (of inks)
• For simple fluids Viscosity depends on pressure and temperature not on
Velocity gradient or shear stress
• Newtonian viscous fluids - simple fluids with inelasticity property -
Absolute Viscosity
• Viscometer measure viscosity of simple Newtonian fluids
• Non-Newtonian fluids - Viscosity depends on shear stress - Apparent
 SAYBOLT VISCOMETER
• The Saybolt viscometer controls the heat of the fluid and the
Viscosity Measurement

viscosity is the time is takes the fluid to fill a 60cc container.

• Efflux cup viscometers are most commonly used for fieldwork to
measure the viscosity of oils, syrups, varnish, paints and
Bitumen emulsions.
• The testing procedure is quite similar to the capillary-tube
viscometers
• To obtain high accuracy the liquid holding vessel and orifice are
temperature controlled by immersing them in a thermostatically
controlled bath.
• The saybolt viscometer is the standard instrument for testing
petroleum products.
 SAYBOLT VISCOMETER
• Of these types, the universal orifice(saybolt
universal viscometer) is most commonly
used and its efflux time is designated as
saybolt universal seconds(SUS).
• The universal viscometer measures the time
required for 60 cc of sample fluid to flow out
through an orifice having dimensions of
0.176 cm in diameter and 1.225 cm in
length.
• Saybolt universal seconds (t) can be
converted to kinematic viscosity (v) by the
following equations: Viscosity Measurement
 PROS AND CONS
Advantages Disadvantages
Viscosity measurement

• It has a digital meter to measure

• Errors arise due to the
temperature
variation in the head loss
• Reading is more accurate and
and other parameters.
precise.
• Efflux cup viscometer have
• Uniform temperature can be
some inherent inaccuracies
obtained.
• Limited to Low Viscosity
• Viscosity can be directly
Fluids
compared for two or more
 ROTAMETER TYPE
VISCOMETER
Rotameter type viscometers are used
both industrially and in the pilot plant
to measure the viscosity of the
process fluids and continuously
indicate, record or control the
process. This type of viscometer is
used in a closed flow system

Viscosity measurement
 CONSTRUCTION
• The core part of a rotameter is a vertically
oriented, transparent tube.
• A solid float is placed inside the tube, which
moves freely along the length of the tube.
• At the bottom of the tube is an inlet for the
fluid to enter and at the top is an outlet for
the fluid to exit. This creates a vertical flow of
fluid through the tube.
• A calibrated scale is typically marked along
the length of the tube to measure the position
of the float.
• Positive displacement pump provides
Viscosity the
measurement
 WORKING
• When a fluid flows through the tapered tube
from the bottom, it exerts an upward force on
the float.
• The float rises until the upward force (drag from
the fluid flow) equals the downward
gravitational force acting on the float.
• This equilibrium position is dependent on the
viscosity of the fluid.
• The more viscous the fluid, the lower the float
will stabilize, as the fluid’s resistance to flow
will be higher.
• By observing the position of the float and
comparing it against a calibrated
Viscosityscale, the
measurement
 9
PROS AND CONS
Advantages Disadvantages
Viscosity measurement

• Simple Construction • Dependent on Fluid Density

• Easy to Use • Sensitive to Flow Rate Changes

• No External Power Required • Manual Reading

• Minimal Maintenance • Temperature Sensitivity

• Transparency • Limited to Low Viscosity Fluids

 VIBRATIONAL VISCOMETER
A vibrational viscometer is a device used to
measure the viscosity of a fluid by analyzing the
damping effect a fluid exerts on a vibrating probe
immersed in it. These viscometers are widely used
for real-time, continuous monitoring of fluid
viscosity in industries like food processing, oil and
gas, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals due to their
accuracy, compact design, and ability to operate in
extreme conditions.

Viscosity measurement
 CONSTRUCTION
• The core part of the viscometer is a vibrating
element or probe, often in the form of a thin rod,
blade, or tuning fork, that is immersed in the fluid
being tested.
• The vibrating element is driven by an
electromagnetic or piezoelectric actuator, which
causes the probe to oscillate at a specific
frequency.
• The viscometer includes a sensor that monitors
the probe's vibration frequency and amplitude.
• The interaction between the vibrating element and
the fluid leads to changes in these parameters,
Viscosity measurement
which are measured by the detector.
 WORKING
• The vibrating element is immersed in the fluid
and made to oscillate at a known frequency,
usually within a narrow range.
• As the vibrating element moves through the
fluid, the fluid exerts a viscous drag force on
the probe, which resists the oscillation.
• The level of damping is proportional to the
viscosity of the fluid.
• Higher viscosity fluids create more resistance,
damping the vibration more than lower
viscosity fluids.
Viscosity measurement
 PROS AND CONS
Advantages Disadvantages
Viscosity measurement

• Minimal Sample Volume

• Sensitivity to External Vibrations
• Temperature Compensation
• Higher Cost
• Wide Measurement Range
• Not Suitable for Non-Newtonian
• Compact and Easy to Use
Fluids
• Independent of liquid flow rate
 ROTATIONAL
Principle : A rotational viscometer is a device that measures the viscosity of
a fluid by measuring theVISCOMETERS
torque needed to rotate an object in the fluid

Working : A rotational viscometer measures the torque and angular velocity

of a rotating element in a fluid. The interaction between the fluid and the
rotating element provides information about the fluid's rheological
properties, which can be used to determine its viscosity.

Viscosity measurement
 CUP AND BOB TYPE
• The cup
VISCOMETER
and bob
Couette
viscometer measures the
Viscosity measurement

Measures viscosity by rotating

Viscometer
resistance by observing an inner cylinder and
the motion of the bob as observing the shear created
between fluid layers.
it moves through the
liquid.
Searle type
• The rate at which the Determines viscosity by
Viscometer
bob falls or rises in the allowing a bob to fall through
fluid is influenced by the a fluid and measuring the
time it takes to descend.
viscosity of the liquid;
higher viscosity results
 COUETTE VISCOMETER
Construction :
• Outer Cylinder that is made of glass /
metal
• Inner Cylinder is made of stainless steel or
non reactive metal
• End plates are used to seal the cylinder
• It consists of torque measuring device such
as strain gauge or dynamometer.
• Contains fluid reservoir that holds the fluid
sample and ensures uniform distribution
between the cylinders
Viscosity measurement
 COUETTE VISCOMETER
Working :
• The motor is activated to rotate the inner cylinder at a
specified speed.
• This creates shear in the fluid as it flows between the two
cylinders.
• As the inner cylinder rotates, it encounters resistance from
the fluid, leading to a torque
• The viscosity (μ) is calculated using the formula:

where,
T = measured torque
Viscosity measurement
r = radius of the inner cylinder
 SEARLE VISCOMETER

Construction :
• Cylindrical Cup is made of glass or metal
• Bob (Cylindrical Rod) is usually stainless
steel or a non-reactive material.
• Supporting Frame holds the cup and bob in
place, ensuring stability during the
experiment.
• Weights may be attached to the bob to
ensure it is fully submerged and to control
the drag force acting on it. measurement
Viscosity
 SEARLE VISCOMETER
Working :
• The bob is placed into the cup, usually resting on a set of
supports to keep it above the fluid initially.
• The supports are removed, allowing the bob to fall freely
through the liquid. It starts from a defined height to ensure
consistency.
• As the bob moves, it experiences drag due to the viscosity
of the fluid.
Drag force can be measured by ,
• Then the viscosity can be measured using the formula,
Viscosity measurement
 9
PROS AND CONS
Advantages Disadvantages
Viscosity measurement

• Wide Range of • Sensitivity to

Viscosities Temperature
• Controlled Shear Rates • Shear Rate

• Rapid Measurements Dependency

• Consistent Results • Complexity in

• Temperature Control Calibration

• User-Friendly • Potential for Sample

Alteration
 5
REFERENCES
https://www.eieinstruments.com
Visocity Measurement

1.Liptak B.G , "Process Measurement and Analysis", 4th Edition, Chilton

2 Book Company,2003.

https://instrumentationtools.com/
3
THANK YOU