Continuous viscosity measurement of non-Newtonian fluids over a range of shear rates using a mass-detecting capillary viscometer

Abstract

A newly designed mass-detecting capillary viscometer uses a novel concept to continuously measure non-Newtonian fluids viscosity over a range of shear rates. A single measurement of liquid-mass variation with time replaces the flow rate and pressure drop measurements that are usually required by capillary tube viscometers. Using a load cell and a capillary, we measured change in the mass flow rate through a capillary tube with respect to the time,m(t), from which viscosity and shear rate were mathematically calculated. For aqueous polymer solutions, excellent agreement was found between the results from the mass-detecting capillary viscometer and those from a commercially available rotating viscometer. This new method overcomes the drawbacks of conventional capillary viscometers meassuring non-Newtonian fluid viscosity. First, the mass-detecting capillary viscometer can accurately and consistently measure non-Newtonian viscosity over a wide range of shear rate extending as low as 1 s−1. Second, this design provides simplicity (i. e., ease of operation, no moving parts), and low cost.