The Pennsylvania State University

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences

Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering

Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Program

PNG 482 - Production Engineering Laboratory

Experiment #3– Determination of Saybolt Viscosity of Crude Oil and Liquid Petroleum Products.

Instructor: Dr Luis F. Ayala

Lab Assistant: Miao Zhang

BY

Alexander Ibojo

Alexander Ibojo

Performed: 11/14/2013

Submitted: 11/15/2013

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INTRODUCTION

The focus of this experiment involves measuring the viscosity of crude oil and liquid petroleum products by
means of a Saybolt viscosimeter which measures the elapsed time, known as Saybolt seconds, for a volume
of liquid, at specified temperature, to flow under gravity through the calibrated capillary of the viscosimeter.
The time measured in Saybolt seconds would be converted to required viscosity unit by using set of
equations. In addition, the validity of Andrade’s equation, which express viscosity as a function of
temperature would be validated.

What is viscosity? Viscosity is the quantity that describes a fluid's resistance to flow. Fluids resist the relative
motion of immersed objects through them as well as to the motion of layers with differing velocities within
them.

A fluid that has no resistance to shear stress is known as an ideal fluid or in viscid fluid. Fluid with zero
viscosity observed only at very low temperatures, are known as super fluids. Otherwise all fluids have
positive viscosity. A liquid whose viscosity is less than that of water is sometimes known as a mobile liquid,
while a substance with a viscosity substantially greater than water is called a viscous liquid.

Formally, viscosity (represented by the symbol η "eta") is the ratio of the shearing stress (ƒ/A) to the velocity
gradient (Δvx/Δz or dvx/dz) in a fluid.

F ∆Vx
= η( )
A ∆Z

The more usual form of this relationship, called Newton's equation, states that the resulting shear of a fluid is
directly proportional to the force applied and inversely proportional to its viscosity. The similarity to Newton's
second law of motion (ƒ = ma) should be apparent in the expression below:

F Δvx ƒ dvx
=η or =η
A Δz A dz
⇕ ⇕
Δv dv
F =m or ƒ =m
Δt dt

The SI unit of viscosity is the Pascal second [Pa s], which has no special name. The most common unit of viscosity
is the dyne second per square centimeter [dyne s/cm2], which is given the name poise [P] after the French
physiologist Jean Louis Poiseuille (1799-1869). Ten poise equal one Pascal second [Pa s] making the centipoise
[cp] and millipascal second [mPa s] identical (Glen E., 2013)

1 pascal second = 10 poise = 1,000 millipascal second

1 centipoise = 1 millipascal second

There are actually two quantities that are called viscosity. The quantity defined above is sometimes called
dynamic viscosity, absolute viscosity, or simple viscosity to distinguish it from the other quantity, but is usually
just called viscosity. The other quantity called kinematic viscosity (represented by the symbol ν "nu") is the
ratio of the dynamic viscosity of a fluid to its density.

μ
ϑ =ρ Where: µ is the dynamic viscosity and ρ is the density of the fluid

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of the resistive flow of a fluid under the influence of gravity. It is frequently
measured using a device called a capillary viscometer which is the focus of our experiment. Before we dive
further into the experimental details, let’s enumerate the relevance of viscosity to petroleum and natural gas
industries.

In reservoir engineering, viscosity is of porous media has been used in conjunction with other petro-physical
data to for reservoir characterization and saturations. Viscosity, which is a dynamic property does not directly
influence the conductive capacity of petroleum reservoir rocks but is extensively used not only in petroleum
engineering calculations to determine the absolute or effective permeability of reservoir rocks but also in
reservoir estimation of hydrocarbon fluid in-situ.

K ∆P
Q = − μ A ∆L where µ is the liquid viscosity expressed in centipoises

Viscosity is also a very important fluid property put into consideration by engineers to develop and drilling
fluids for oil and gas exploration and production as wrong choice of drilling fluids could cause formation
damage, loss of down hole tools and possibly, blowout, translating to enormous loss of lives, properties and
financial ruins to oil companies and investors.

Last but not the least, equipment used in oil and gas operations, use petroleum and non-petroleum products
as lubricants to operate optimally. These equipment are designed to operate optimally at certain product
specification. There proper operation depends on the viscosity of these products. Hence, accurate
determination of viscosity is essential.
In this experiment, a fixed volume of liquids are made to flow under gravity through the capillary of a calibrated
viscosimeter at a controlled temperature and the time it takes these fluids to flow are measured. The measured
time are converted to centipoise using these set of equations:

149.7
µ = δt [0.219t − t
] where δt = δto[1 + α(To − T)]

OBJECTIVES:

 The objectives of this experiment is to measure the Saybolt viscosity of crude oil and liquid
petroleum product at specified temperature between 70 degF and 140 degF
 To check the validity of Andrade’s equation which expresses viscosity as a function of temperature.
THEORY REVIEW

As stated earlier, viscosity is a measure of fluid resistance to flow or the measure of its resistance to gradual
deformation by shear stress or tensile stress. As stated earlier, the focus of this experiment involves
measuring the viscosity of crude oil and liquid petroleum products by means of a Saybolt viscosimeter which
measures the elapsed time, known as Saybolt seconds, for a volume of liquid, at specified temperatures of 70
0F and 140 0F, to flow under gravity through the calibrated capillary of the viscosimeter.

Generally, viscosity is usually determined by measuring the fluid flow through a capillary or orifice (PNG 482,
Lab manual, 2013). This is expressed in Poiseuille’s law:

πr4P
Q= Where : Q = Liquid volume that flows per unit of time
8μL

P = differential pressure between the capillary ends

R = Radius of the capillary

L = Length of the capillary

µ = Fluid viscosity (dynamic viscosity)

The quantity defined above called dynamic viscosity, absolute viscosity, or simple viscosity to distinguish it
from the other quantity, but is usually just called viscosity. The other quantity called kinematic viscosity
(represented by the symbol ν “nu”) is the ratio of the viscosity of a fluid to its density.

μ
ϑ =ρ Where: µ is the dynamic viscosity

And ρ is the density of the fluid.

Kinematic viscosity is a measure of the resistive flow of a fluid under the influence of gravity. It is frequently
measured using a device called a capillary viscometer (Saybolt viscosimeter) which is the focus of our
experiment. The concept of its measurement is based on the fact that when two fluids of equal volume are
placed in identical capillary viscometers and allowed to flow under the influence of gravity, a viscous fluid
takes longer than a less viscous fluid to flow through the tube. The time elapsed is then measured in Saybolt
seconds (SUS), which can then be converted to absolute or kinematic viscosities using the equation above.

The steps of conversion are shown below in equation 1 and 2:

149.7
µ = δt [0.219t − t
----------------------------------------------- equ 1

Where µ = Liquid viscosity, in centipoises

δt = Specific gravity of liquid at temperature of liquid

T = Liquid viscosity, Saybolt seconds

δt = δto[1 + α(To − T)] ------------------------------------------ equ 2

Where δto = Specific gravity of liquid at (To) used as a reference point

α = Coefficient of thermal expansion of liquid with respect to To.

Values of α are provided for the samples under test.

Another focus of this experiment was to validate Andrade’s equation which expresses viscosity as a function
of temperature. During enhanced oil recovery process, especially in the prediction of oil recoveries in thermal
recovery process, oil viscosity as a function of temperature is a very important physical quantity to consider for
designing the appropriate techniques and transportation, storage and handling through high pressured
pipelines.

In general, the viscosity of a simple liquid decreases with increasing temperature (and vice versa). As
temperature increases, the average speed of the molecules in a liquid increases and the amount of time they
spend "in contact" with their nearest neighbors decreases. Thus, as temperature increases, the average
intermolecular forces decrease. Hence using Andrade’s equation, one can show that the relationship between
liquid viscosity and temperature is a linear one when graph of viscosity is plotted against the reciprocal of the
temperature on a semi-log paper or Log µ vs 1/T on Cartesian paper.
Andrade’s equation is µ = AeB/T

Or Logµ = LogA + B1/T1

Where T1 = Temperature of liquid, in degree absolute (Kelvin or Rankie)

A & B are constants of Andrade’s Equation and B1= B. Log (e)

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP AND PROCEDURE

 All personal protective equipment were worn

 The cooling line was opened before beginning experiment and stopper was placed at the bottom of
the cooling line.
 The chamber of the equipment was rinsed with isopropanol and emptied thereafter
 Crude oil was poured unto the chamber
 The viscosimeter was set to desired temperature and the fluid was allowed to reach this desired
temperature.
 A stop watch was prepared, cork removed, timing was started.
 Once the liquid reached the 60ml mark line, timer was stopped.
 Temperature and time were recorded.
 Experiment was repeated for baby oil.

LIST OF MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENTS:

 An automated viscosimeter
 Thermometers
 Safety gloves, respirators and goggles
 Glassware (funnel, 60ml flask, 100ml pipet)

LIST OF SUBSTANCES USED DURING THIS EXPERIMENT:

 Sample crude oil or liquid petroleum products

ANSWER TO PRE-LAB QUESTION:

1). Viscosity: viscosity is a measure of fluid resistance to flow or the measure of its resistance to gradual
deformation by shear stress or tensile stress. The SI unit of viscosity is the Pascal second Pa s (1 Pa s = 1 Kg/m-
s = 1 Ns/m2). The most common unit of viscosity is the dyne second per square centimeter [dyne s/cm2 ] = 1
g/cm s which is given the name poise [P]. Since Poise can be a large unit, a much smaller unit is used called the
centipoise (cp) where 1 poise = 100 cp

2. The unit of Saybolt viscosity measurement is Saybolt seconds.

Yes it can be converted to centipoises using the units of conversions: 1 Pa s = 1 Kg/m-s = 1 Ns/m2= 103 cp

3. Temperature and Liquid viscosity: In general, the viscosity of a simple liquid decreases with increasing
temperature (and vice versa). As temperature increases, the average speed of the molecules in a liquid
increases and the amount of time they spend "in contact" with their nearest neighbors decreases. Thus, as
temperature increases, the average intermolecular forces decrease.

Temperature and gas viscosity: While liquids get runnier as they get hotter, gases get thicker. The viscosity of
gases increases as temperature increases and is approximately proportional to the square root of temperature.
This is due to the increase in the frequency of intermolecular collisions at higher temperatures. Since most of
the time the molecules in a gas colliding with one another and with the wall of the container in which they are
enclosed, anything that increases the number of times one molecule is in contact with another will decrease
the ability of the molecules as a whole to engage in the coordinated movement. The more these molecules
collide with one another, the more disorganized their motion becomes, the higher the resistance to flow, hence
the higher the viscosity.

4. Temperature of the measured fluid/liquid in degree Fahrenheit or Celsius

Time in Saybolt seconds

REFERENCES:

1) Ayala. L. F; “ Determination of Saybolt Viscosity of Crude Oil and Liquid Petroleum Products”,
Pennsylvania State University, PNG-482-006, Fall 2013

2) Glen Elert: The Physics Hypertextbook, “Viscosity.”, 1998-2013

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