Soran University

Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department

Viscosity

Prepared by: Muhammed Lateef Husain

Supervised by: M. Fuad yusfe

May 8, 2018
Introduction
Viscosity is a measure of the resistance of fluid to an applied stress. In
everyday terms it is like the “thickness” of a fluid or gas. For example,
water has a low viscosity so it appears “thin”. In comparison honey has a
higher viscosity so it appears “thick”. Viscosity essentially describes a
liquids internal resistance to flow and may be thought of as a measure of
its internal friction.

The measurement of viscosity is a fairly simple test and the result

reported is generally a single number. For the results of a viscosity test
to be relevant, they should be compared to the results of tests done at
the same temperature. It is normal for fluids to become more viscous at
colder temperatures and less viscous at higher temperatures.

Most used oil analysis laboratories measure and report kinematic

viscosity. By contrast, most onsite viscometers measure absolute
viscosity, but are typically programmed to estimate and report kinematic
viscosity, so that the viscosity measurements reported reflect kinematic
numbers reported by most labs and lube oil suppliers. Given the
importance of viscosity analysis coupled with the increasing popularity
of onsite oil analysis instruments used to screen and supplement offsite
laboratory oil analysis, it is essential that oil analysts clearly understand
the difference between absolute and kinematic viscosity measurements.

Generally speaking, viscosity is a fluid’s resistance to flow (shear stress)

at a given temperature. Sometimes, viscosity is erroneously referred to
as thickness (or weight). Viscosity is not a dimensional measurement, so
calling highly viscous oil thick and less viscous oil thin is misleading.
Likewise, reporting viscosity for trending purposes without a reference
to temperature is nonsensical. The temperature must be defined to
interpret the viscosity reading. Typically, viscosity is reported at 40°C
and/or 100°C or both if the viscosity index is required.
Kinematic viscosity is traditionally measured by noting the time it takes
oil to travel through the orifice of a capillary under the force of gravity
(Figure 1). The orifice of the kinematic viscometer tube produces a fixed
resistance to flow. Different sized capillaries are available to support
fluids of varying viscosity. The time taken for the fluid to flow through
the capillary tube can be converted directly to a kinematic viscosity using
a simple calibration constant provided for each tube. The dominant
procedure for performing kinematic viscosity measurements is ASTM
D445, often modified in the used oil analysis lab to save time and make
the test measurement more efficient.

Figure 1. Capillary U-Tube Viscometer

Apparatus and Materials

A. Gasoil
B. Water
C. Beakers
D. Funnel
E. Capillary U-Tube Viscometer (Ostwald Viscometer)
F. Graduated Cylinder
G. Pipettes & Pera pipettor
H. Ring Stands, Rings, and Clamps
I. Thermometers
J. Balances
K. Heater

Pera pipettor

Ostwald Viscometer
Procedure
1-First the water and gasoil using heater are heated to 20C.
2-by Pera pipettor, the water or/and gasoil is poured into the Capillary
U-Tube Viscometer till rises to the white line below the upper reservoir.
3-After that, the pera is tied to the viscometer to pull the water/gasoil
till it rises the line above the reservoir.
4-finally Then let the water/gasoil flow down till riches the Start mark
and the times is measured.
N.T: the viscometer should be cleaned well after each experiment step,
it should be empty from anything and bubbles.
5-This process is applied three periods to gasoil and water in three
different temperature including the first temperature and kinematic
viscosity is determined.
6-Scientifically dynamic viscosity is calculated knowing the density of
water and gasoil.
N.T: That’s how to Use pera pipettor, Pressing the R button on air pear is
empty.
Pressing the button, the air enters the pear previously emptied, which is
where previously connected the pipette and the suction effect and the
liquid ascends the same occurs.
Pressing the button M, allows contact of the lower mouth of the pear
with the atmosphere, causing the liquid held in the pipette descends.
Calculations
ʋ=C *t
For water at 20C, t=24s
C= ʋ/t =1/24=0.042 mm2/s2
For Gasoil at 20C, t=57s
ʋ=0.042*57 = 2.394mm2/s
ρ=0.823g/cm3 for gasoil using hydrometer
µ= ʋ*ρ= (2.394*0.823)/10-2= 0.0197g/cm.s
For Gasoil at 25C, t= 48.54s
ʋ=0.042*48.54=2.0387mm2/s
µ= (2.0387*0.827)/10-2= 0.0168 g/ cm.s

Result
water
Temperature(T) Time(t) Kinematic viscosity(ʋ) Contest ( C)
20C 24s 1 mm2/s 0.042 mm2/s2

Gasoil
Temperature(T) Time(t) Kinematic viscosity(ʋ) Dynamic viscosity(µ)

20C 57s 2.394 mm2/s 0.0197g/cm.s

25C 48.54s 2.0387 mm2/s 0.0168g/cm.s
Discussion
For our calculations we try three times first in 20C for water and the time
to flow the water between start mark and stop mark took 24s, and for
gasoil in 20C the time between start mark and stop mark took 57s and in
25C the time took 48.54.it mean that by using increasing temperature
the time is decreased so from the result of gasoil we see this relation.

Conclusion
In this experiment we found out that any change in temperature
affectively cause change in viscosity showed in the results. Because
temperature and viscosity are adversely proportional as clearly seen
from the rule that time decreases when temperature increase but
viscosity is proportional with time. Different temperature can be used to
denote change of viscosity but not in high temperature for gasoil
because it is fuel and easily cause danger in high temperatures.
References
http://www.niser.ac.in/sps/sites/default/files/basic_page/viscosity_20
16.pdf
http://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/294/absolute-kinematic-
viscosity