Chem & Pharma Process Lecture 2

Viscosity
F′ shear stress
η = Viscosity = ————— = ———————
Chemical Technology S shear rate
• The SI unit of measure for viscosity is Pascal
second. (Pa.s) (1 Pa = 0.1 dynes/cm2).
Lecture 2 • As luck would have it!!
Dr Ann Hopper • 1 Pa.s = 1 N s/m2 = 1 kg/m.s (back to Reynolds
Room 301 No.
• (An older unit is centipoise).

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Types of viscosity Pseudoplastic – shear thinning

• 1. Newtonian fluid : Viscosity is
independent of the
shear stress
Typical Newtonian fluids
include water and thin
motor oils.
Viscosity decreases as the
shear rate increases:
2. Non-Newtonian Fluids include paints, emulsions, and
The viscosity changes with the shear rate or the dispersions of many types
shear force. Non Newtonian fluids , paints, gel,
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Chem & Pharma Process Lecture 2

Dilatant – shear thickening Plastic : - yield point

Viscosity increases with increasing shear rate
e.g. deflocculated solids, such as clay slurries,
candy compounds, corn starch in water, and
sand/water mixtures.
The material has a resistance to flow. A certain
amount of force must be applied to the fluid before
any flow is induced; this force is called the yield
value. Tomato Ketsup

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Two types of viscometer :

Viscosity measurement
Tube and rotational
• Why measure viscosity?
• For chemical processing it is a critical
parameter. To determine the behaviour of a
fluid and predict changes based on the
formula changes and processing conditions.
• After a fluid is processed its viscosity may
change with time, this information may be
necessary to product further processing
conditions.

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Chem & Pharma Process Lecture 2

Rotational type : Types of spindles or plates.

• Shear is generated between a
• There are disc spindles, cylinder spindles, cone
fixed and moving surface
and plate, T-bar and plate and plate spindles.
• Small cell adaptors are used for valuable
materials or where there is little material
available. Depending on the viscosity range
• Critical to good measurement is temperature
control. Most viscometers have a water jacket
connected to a water bath that can accurately
The geometry of the spindle determines the control the temperature.
force that the fluid will exert on the spring.
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Measurement using rotational

viscometers
• Due to the non- Newtonian behaviour of fluids
all parameters must be specified for accurate
analysis. Spindle number, revolution speed,
how many revolutions before the reading is
taken.
• E.g. Measurement specified at 10 rpm; on the
5th revolution at 250 C.

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Chem & Pharma Process Lecture 2

Process Control & viscosity.

Dynamic viscosity.
• Characterise the flow behaviour of a material. • Computer controlled to
ramp up, hold and ramp
Used as a response to properties such as down. Allows to determine
molecular weight and molecular weight thixotropic behaviour. (a
property of certain gels
distribution. which liquefy when
subjected to vibratory forces
• Follow the course of a chemical reaction. like simple shaking, and then
• Inline process control measurement. solidify again when left
standing) e.g. Nail varnish.
• In polymer follow the course of curing (silly putty).
reaction. • Regression analysis: Casson
plot; Bingham, etc.
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Other Viscometers. Falling Ball Viscometer

Stokes law after George Stokes
Stokes law Fd is the drag force of the fluid,
1. Falling Ball Viscometer. V is the is the
velocity of the sphere relative to
2. Viscosity Cups the fluid, and d is the diameter of
the sphere.
 Is the fluid viscosity.

Free body diagram of a sphere in a

tube.

Fb and Fd the buoyance force and the the viscous drag of the fluid on the sphere act
upwards. m or  the fluid viscosity and g the gravitational force act downwards.
Combining the volume, mass density we can rearrange the equations to give us

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Chem & Pharma Process Lecture 2

Falling ball viscosity Viscosity Cups

• Issues: Must be laminar flow. Useful for production control.
• Must measure at terminal velocity. (ball going Can be standardised and calibrated.
Paint, dyes and Oil industry have
at maximum speed). cups specific to them.

• Design – must be no interaction between ball

and walls of container.

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