Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:ME108-2S-2020-2021

College : Engineering
Campus: Bambang

DEGREE PROGRAM BSME COURSE NO. M.E. 108

SPECIALIZATION Mechanical COURSE TITLE M.E. Laboratory 1
YEAR LEVEL 3rd Year TIME FRAME 6 Hrs WK NO. 4 IM NO. 4

I. UNIT TITLE/CHAPTER TITLE

Viscometer / Viscosity Measurement of Different Fluid

II. LESSON OBJECTIVE

a. To familiarize on how to use viscometer.

b. To measure viscosity of fluids using viscometer.
c. To explain the working principles of Viscometer.
d. To enumerate different applications of Viscometer.
e. To enumerate and explains the importance of measuring viscosity in different areas of engineering.

III. LESSON OVERVIEW

Any instrument used for the measurement or comparison of viscosities is called a viscometer.

IV. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Familiarize in using viscometer.

2. Measure viscosity using viscometer.
3. Explain the working principles of viscometer.
4. Enumerate different applications of viscometer.
5. Enumerate and explains the importance of measuring viscosity in engineering field..

V. LESSON CONTENT

Viscometer, instrument for measuring the viscosity (resistance to internal flow) of a fluid. In one
version, the time taken for a given volume of fluid to flow through an opening is recorded. In the capillary
tube viscometer, the pressure needed to force the fluid to flow at a specified rate through a narrow tube
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NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:ME108-2S-2020-2021

is measured. Other types depend on measurements of the time taken for a sphere to fall through the
fluid, or of the force needed to rotate the inner cylinder of a coaxial pair (the space between the two
cylinders being filled with the fluid under test), or of the rate at which oscillations of a disk vibrating in the
fluid die out.
Different types of Viscometer

Orifice viscometers
An orifice viscometer usually consists of a cup with a hole, through which the fluid flows.
Viscosity is determined by timing how long it takes the cup to empty, and is measured in cup
seconds. Orifice viscometers are easy to use manually, thanks to the fact that they’re simply
dipped into the fluid being worked with — making them popular in painting industries. They include
Zahn Cups, Ford Cups, and more.

Capillary viscometers
Also known as U-tube viscometers, capillary viscometers include the Ostwald and
Ubbelohde variations. They’re straight-forward and simple to use, consisting of a U-shaped glass
tube with two bulbs (one higher and one lower). Fluid passes from the higher bulb to the lower
bulb through a capillary, and viscosity is measured by timing how long it takes the fluid to pass
through the tube.

Falling piston viscometers

According to Wikipedia, falling piston viscometers were invented by Austin Norcross,
which is why they’re also called Norcross viscometers. They function by drawing the fluid being
measured into the piston cylinder while the piston is raised; the time it takes the piston to fall (time-
of-fall seconds) due to the resistance of the fluid is used to determine viscosity. Falling piston
viscometers are easy to use and simple to maintain, and offer long product life.

Rotational viscometers
Rotational viscometers measure viscosity by immersing a rotating spindle in the fluid to
be tested. The amount of power (torque) required to turn the spindle indicates the viscosity of the
fluid, and because rotational viscometers do not use gravity to function, their measurements are
based on the fluid's internal shear stress.

Falling ball viscometers

Falling ball viscometers work in a similar fashion to falling piston viscometers. With this
type of viscometer, a ball is dropped into a sample of the fluid being measured. The dimensions
of the ball are already known, so viscosity is determined by timing how long it takes the ball (again,
using time-of-fall seconds) to fall through the fluid via gravity.

Vibrational viscometers
Vibrational viscometers use a powered vibrating rod to measure viscosity. Different fluids
are more or less resistant to vibrations depending on how viscous they are. Therefore, by
measuring the dampening of the vibration, or by measuring how quickly the vibration of the
viscometer degrades, viscosity can be determined. Vibrational viscometers are very popular
thanks to the fact that they offer high sensitivity with no moving parts.

Considerations for purchasing viscometers

Choosing a viscometer is a complex process and will depend on the sample type, viscosity,
opacity, available volume of sample, required throughput, and level of automation needed. At a minimum,
the following factors should be considered:

• Viscosity range
• Accuracy
• Temperature control
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 Republic of the Philippines
NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY
Bambang, Nueva Vizcaya
INSTRUCTIONAL MODULE
IM No.4:ME108-2S-2020-2021

• Sample volume and microvolume capability

• Automation and computer interfacing
• Regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Viscosity range

Viscosity is measured in Pascal seconds (Pa·s), in other words, the amount of pressure needed
to achieve a given rate of flow. Viscosity is commonly stated in centipoise (cP), which is the unit used by
the standards agency ASTM International; 1 cP equals 1 mPa·s. Water at 20 °C has a dynamic viscosity
of 1.002 cP. Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of dynamic viscosity to density; the unit of measurement is
the Stoke (St).

VI. LEARNING ACTIVITIES

1. Definition of Terms ( Define the following term(s) in your own words )

a. Viscometer
b. Vibrational Viscometer
c. Falling Ball Viscometer
d. Rotational Viscometer
e. Falling Piston Viscometer
2. Essay
a. How does different type of viscometer works.
b. Enumerate and explain different applications of viscometer in engineering.
c. Discuss the importance of determining viscosity in different fields of engineering.
d. Differentiate different types of viscometer in terms of it’s application in engineering field.

VII. ASSIGNMENT:
a. What is hygrometer?
b. Explain the working principles of hydrometer.
c. Enumerate different applications of hydrometer.
d. Enumerate and explains the importance of measuring specific gravity engineering field

REFERENCES

https://www.labcompare.com/10-Featured-Articles/143121-Viscometers-The-Science-of-
Measuring-Fluid-Flow/
https://blog.viscosity.com/blog/6-different-types-of-viscometers-how-they-work
https://www.britannica.com/technology/viscometer

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