Apparatus and method for viscosity measurements for Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids
AssigneeState University of New York
InventorsThomas F. Irvine, Jr., Noh-Aeok Park
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of a fluid by measuring the time of fall of a needle through a predetermined distance of the fluid held in a container. The method further provides exact equations according to a modified power law model and Ellis model for the calculation of viscosity, shear stress and shear rate.
Claims19
An apparatus for the determining viscosity of fluids comprising:
- a. A cylinder, of diameter D cm., for holding the fluid for which the viscosity is to be determined;
- b. Means for measuring axial displacement a predetermined distance, L cm., along the vertical axis of the cylinder, remote from the top and bottom by a distance of at least D cm.;
- c. A needle, made of tubing with rigid side walls the density of which can be adjusted with thin metal wiring to produce a velocity of fall of almost 0 to about 10 cm. per sec. and sealed hemispherically at both ends, having a diameter d cm., wherein b=D/d is at least 5, and a length of l cm., wherein l/D is at least 2.5;
- d. Means engaging the top of the cylinder for guiding said needle so that the needle will fall along the axis of said cylinder;
- e. Means for maintaining a constant temperature in the cylinder;
- and
- f. Device for measuring the time of fall of the needle between the predetermined distance marked on the cylinder.
A needle, for measuring the viscocity of Newtonian and non-newtonian fluids in a cylinder of diameter D cm, made of tubing with rigid side walls, the density of which can be adjusted with thin metal wiring to produce a velocity of fall of almost 0 to about 10 cm per sec. and capable of being sealed hemispherically at both ends, having a diameter d cm. wherein b=D/d is at least 5, and a length of l cm., wherein l/D is at least 2.5.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.