Khulna University of Engineering & Technology
Department Of Leather Engineering
Course No: ME 3220
Sessional On Fluid Mechanics & Machineries
Lab report
Experiment No: 03
Measurement of absolute viscosity of fluid by a Saybolt
Viscometer
Group A4
1719019: Apparatus & Instruments
1719020: Theoretical Background
1719021: Methodology
1719022: Application
1719023: Introduction
1719024: Objectives
Date of submission: 31 May, 2021
Introduction:
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's inherent resistance to flow. It can also be termed
as drag force and is a measure of the frictional properties of fluid. Viscosity is a
critical parameter often of concern in operations such as pumping oil from a well,
flow of oil or its products through refinery piping etc. The viscosity of all liquids
decreases with increasing temperature. For most liquids, the temperature
dependence of viscosity is much greater than the influence of temperature on
density, making it an extremely important parameter to monitor when considering
viscosity behavior. Since fluid viscosity is very sensitive to change of temperature,
therefore in this experiment, the viscosity of fluid will be determined at several
temperatures and a plot of viscosity versus temperature for oil samples will be
made on semi log paper. The term normally used for viscosity are “dynamic” or
“absolute” viscosity, which imply that the fluid is in motion. The unit of viscosity
is poise. A device used to measure the viscosity of a fluid is known as viscometer
and it uses the basic laws of laminar flow. Say-bolt viscometer is one of the
viscometer which controls the heat of the fluid and the viscosity is the time takes
the fluid to fill a 60cc container. The Say-bolt viscometer has a vertical cylinder
chamber filled with liquid which viscosity is to be measured. It is surrounded by a
constant temperature bath and a capillary tube is attached vertically at the bottom
of the chamber. For measurement of viscosity, the stopper at the bottom of the tube
is removed and time for 60 ml of liquid to flow is noted which is named as say-bolt
seconds.
Objectives:
1. To determine the absolute viscosity of fluid at different temperature using a
Saybolt viscometer.
2. To plot absolute viscosity vs. temperature curve.
Apparatus & Instruments:
Ⅰ.Saybolt Viscometer
Ⅱ.Stop watch
Ⅲ.Thermometer
Ⅳ. Breaker
Ⅴ. Funnel
Theoretical Background:
A device used to measure the viscosity of a fluid. The saybolt viscometer controls
the heat of the fluid and the viscosity is the time is takes the fluid to fill a 60cc
container. Viscosity is that property of a fluid by virtue of which it offers resistance
to the movement of one layer of fluid over an adjacent layer. It is primarily due to
cohesion and molecular momentum exchange between fluid layers of fluid.
The saybolt viscometer, one of the efflux cup viscometers is the standard
instrument for testing petroleum products. Basically efflux cup viscometers are
most commonly used for fieldwork to measure the viscosity of oils, syrups,
varnish, paints and bitumen emulsions. The 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 60cc of sample
fluid to flow out through an orifice having dimensions of 0.176cm in diameter and
1.225 cm in length.
The ratio of the dynamic viscosity and the mass density is known as kinematic
viscosity and is denoted by v. The approximate relationship between kinematic
viscosity and time t for a saybolt universal viscometer is expressed by
v=0.00022t-1.8t, v is in stokes and t is in seconds.
For t=32 to 100 v=0.226t-195t, v is in centi Stokes and t is in seconds.
For t= Greater than 100 v=0.220t-135t, v is in centi stokes and t is in
seconds.
Now, the absolute viscosity is given by, μ= v×ρ
Where, μ= absolute viscosity of fluid, v= kinematic viscosity of fluid, ρ= density
of fluid.
Finally the viscosity determinations should be conducted in a room free from drafts
and rapid changes in temperature the highest degree of accuracy.
Figure: Arrangement of Saybolt type viscometer
Methodology:
i. The tap of the outlet passage of water container had been checked, whether it
was open or closed. If the tap is opened then it must be closed before water is filled
in the container.
ii. The water container had been filled with water.
iii. The fluid had to be poured in the vertical cylinder whose viscosity was to be
measured. The amount of fluid to be taken in the vertical cylinder was
approximately 100 ml.
iv. The power supply had been given to the thermostat switch and the heater.
v. A volumetric flask been placed below the capillary tube to receive the fluid
discharged from the cylinder.
vi. After connecting the thermostat switch to the power supply, the thermostat
switch was fixed at the required temperature.
vii. Then the heater was working. The heater was fitted at one corner of the
container.
viii. When the temperature had reached the required temperature, the thermostat
switch automatically disconnected the supply. Then time was given to attain the
desired temperature at the fluid.
ix. Then the stop valve was opened also the stopwatch was started to record the
time in seconds for the flow of 60 ml of fluid through the capillary tube.
x. After the experiment had been completed the supply current was disconnected
and the water was removed from the container.
xi. Took at least 15 readings for this experiment.
Applications:
The saybolt viscometer device is used to measure the viscosity of a fluid.
It controls the heat of the fluid and the viscosity is the time is takes the fluid to fill
a 60cc container. Saybolt Viscosity of petroleum products at specified
temperatures between 70oF and 210 F. This is also used for determining the
Saybolt Furol viscosity of bituminous materials at temperatures of 250, 275, 300,
350, 400 and 450°F. It comprises one each of Cylindrical Oil Cup, Universal Tip,
Furol Tip, Bath fitted with immersion heater mounted on a stand, Dimmerstat for
temperature control, Stirrer with shield.
It has been used for the empirical measurement of Saybolt Viscosity of petroleum
products. They are used in:
Civil Infrastructure
Ⅰ. Asphalt / Petroleum/ Bitumen Testing
Ⅱ. Dams & Tunnels
Ⅲ. Traffic Monitoring
Ⅳ. Real estate
Traffic & Transportation
Ⅰ . Roads, Highways & Bridges
Experimental Data:
Discussion:
Conclusion:
References:
1. http://sites.psu.edu
2. http://docshare01.docshare.tips
3. www.instrumentationtools.com/saybolt-viscometer.
