The Importance Of

Rheology For Equipment

Selection
 Rheology

In Simple Terms :
The study of flow behaviour of a fluid*
in response to an applied force www.alfalaval.com

Can be soft solids *

 Rheology
From this study we can then discover the viscosity
or ‘thickness’ of the fluid.
Viscosity is a fluid’s resistance to flow

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 Rheology
Viscosity is due to the friction between neighbouring particles in
a fluid that are moving at different velocities

The dynamic(absolute)(shear) viscosity of a fluid expresses its

resistance to shearing flows
The kinematic viscosity is the ratio of the dynamic viscosity μ to the
density of the fluid ρ
Type Physical Unit Type Name Unit Designation
Dynamic Viscosity SI Pascal Second Pas
Dynamic Viscosity SI millipascal second mPas
Dynamic Viscosity CGS Poise P
Dynamic Viscosity CGS Centipoise cP
Kinematic Viscosity CGS Stokes St
Kinematic Viscosity CGS Centistokes cSt
1mPas = 1 cP,
cP= cSt x S.G , 1 cSt is sometimes shown = 1 mm2·s−1
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 Rheology
Viscosity
Water is generally accepted as the start point of fluid viscosity
measurement as it has a viscosity of 1cP or 1cST (as has S.G of 1)

Viscosities of other products can vary greatly

Absolute Viscosity
Common
@ 20Deg C
Liquid
(Pa.s)
Air 1.983 x 10-5
Water 1 x 10-3
Olive Oil 1 x 10-1
Glycerol 1 x 100
Liquid Honey 1 x 101
Golden Syrup 1 x 102
Glass 1 x 1040

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 Viscosity
Viscosity of a product can be affected by 2 main
outside influences

Shear Rate

Temperature www.alfalaval.com
 Effect of Temperature on Viscosity
100

10
Viscosity (cP)

1
Glycerine 65 %wt
Silicone Oil 100cs
Coconut oil
Water
Water
0,1
0 20 40 60 80 100
Temp deg C
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 Shear Rate
Force

Velocity

Shear Rate
Rate at which the velocity of a fluid under shear changes through its
thickness

Force N
Shear Stress = = Pa
Area m²
Shear Rate = Velocity m/s 1
Height =
m S
Shear Stress Pa
Viscosity = Shear RateSlide 9
1/s www.alfalaval.com
 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
This is first level of consideration of fluid flow
This will give us 4 main types of behaviour

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 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
Shear Stress Pa
Viscosity = =
Shear Rate 1/s
100
90
80
Shear stress (Pa)

70
60
Bingham Fluid
50 Pseudoplastic Fluid
40 Newtonian Fluid
30 Dilatant Fluid

20
10
0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Shear Rate sec-1
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 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
Newtonian
Viscosity vs Shear Rate

Typical Newtonian Fluids : Silicon Oil, Sugar Syrups, Vegetable Oil

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 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
Pseudoplastic
Viscosity vs Shear Rate

Typical Pseudoplastic Fluids : Shampoo, Toothpaste, Cream, Yoghurt

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 Effect of Shear on Viscosity

Pseudoplastic Fluids vary in their degree of rate of thinning and the shape of the
test graph therefore it is important to understand the fact that not all products of
the same type behave in exactly the same way

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© Alfa Laval Slide 15 www.alfalaval.com
© Alfa Laval Slide 16 www.alfalaval.com
© Alfa Laval Slide 17 www.alfalaval.com
 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
Dilatant
Viscosity vs Shear Rate

Typical Dilatant Fluids: Kaolin, Ceramic Slip, Corn Starch in high concentrations
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 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
With time Thixotropic
Viscosity vs Shear Rate

Constant
Shear

Typical Thixotropic Fluids: Shampoo, Face Creams, Yoghurt

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 Effect of Shear on Viscosity
With time Rheomalactic
Viscosity vs Shear Rate

Rheomalaxis can occur if product sheared too much

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 Fluid Flow Behaviour
Recap

Fluid Behaviours

Newtonian Fluid Non- Netonian

Fluid

Time Time
Dependant Independant

Pseudoplastic Dilatant
Thixotropic Rheopectic Rheomalactic (Shear (Shear
Thinning) Thickening)
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Measuring Viscosity

The falling-ball viscometer measures

viscosity by dropping (free-fall) a column or
sphere shaped rigid body with known
dimensions and density into a sample and
measuring the time taken for it to fall a
specific distance.

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 Measuring Viscosity
Viscometer

Dial reading rotational viscometer Digital rotational viscometer

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 Measuring Viscosity
Rotational Viscometer
• The torque required to turn an object, such as a spindle, in a
fluid indicates the viscosity of the fluid.
• Spindles sizes and rotational speeds are changed to suit
different viscosity measurement

Other makes of viscometer are available www.alfalaval.com

 Typical Lab Rheometer

Has controllable clearances and shear stress with a shear rate

range typically from 0.01- 20,000 sec-1

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Our Facilities

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 Lab Rheometer
Movement of unit to vary test gap to cope with
different range of viscosities and solids sizes

Peltier Plate to vary the temperature of the unit

for accurate measurement from – 10 to 200 C

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 Lab Rheometer
Different cone and plate sizes to cope with different range of viscosities
and also for products with or without solids

Parallel Plate

Conical Plate

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Testing of Samples

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 Typical Shear Rate Variations

Rest
Viscosity
Viscosity

Region

Pipe
/ Valve
Shear PHE Pump
Rate Shear Shear
Region Rate Rate
Region Region
Shear Rate

QA Viscometer Range
Rheometer Range
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 Typical Shear Rate Variations
Flow Rate v Shear Rate (sec-1) in pipework
100

10
Flow Rate m3/Hr

0,1
0,01 0,1 1 10 100 1000
Shear rate (sec-1)
25 40 50 65 80 100 150
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 Typical Shear Rate Variations

Shear rate in RLP related to clearances internal geometry and speed

Faster the pump runs the higher the shear rate
Shear rate could vary between 1000 sec-1 to 10,000 sec-1
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 Typical Shear Rate Variations
Low Turbulence
& Pressure Drop

Medium Turbulence
& Pressure Drop
L + L = L channels
High Turbulence
& Pressure Drop

L + H = M channels

H + H = H channels
Shear rate in PHE related to internal plate geometry and velocity
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 Rheology
So Why is this important or relevant ???

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Product Behavior
Typical Characteristics

Shampoo

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 Product Behavior
Understanding Data

Example : Shampoo

Rest Viscosity (at low shear) (cP) 54,300 cP @ 30Deg C

Pipe Pressure
Pipe Size
Temperature (ºC) Flow Rate (m3/h) Viscosity Loss
(mm)
(cP) (Bar/m)
30 40 100 54.300 2.46
30 40 150 54,300 0.49
30 40 75 1,180 0.17
30 40 100 1,880 0.09

Product is shear thinning using customer advised viscosity gives

high pressure loss

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 Product Behavior
Understanding Data

Example : Shampoo
Based on total system length of 20 m
Total
Temperature Flow Rate Pipe Size Pipe Pressure
Pressure
(ºC) (m3/h) (mm) Viscosity (cP) Loss (Bar/m)
Loss (Bar)
30 40 100 54,300 2.46 49.2
30 40 150 54,300 0.49 9.8
30 40 75 1,180 0.17 3.4
30 40 100 1,880 0.09 1.8

If no product understanding what would have happened ??

Bigger pump and motor selection possible difference in flow rate
than required
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 Product Behavior
What other properties do we need to know and why ?

Solid Size : Could influence type of rotor form and pump size
Solid type shape and concentration : Could Influence pump
speed
and rotor clearance if abrasive or highly crystalline
Will fluid flow under its own weight : This can determine
if unit will need force feeding into pump

pH of fluid : to see if any product compatibility issues

with materials

S.G : as this can influence system pressure calculations

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