COVENANT UNIVERSITY

CANAANLAND, OTA.

PET 527

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING LABORATORY II

DRILLING LAB

RESERVOIR FLUID VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT USING CAPILLARY

VISCOMETER (EXPERIMENT 2)

BY

AKANBI TOLUWALASE (19CN026124)

GROUP 3

DATE PERFORMED: 10-04-24

DATE SUBMITTED: 17-04-24

 ABSTRACT

The determination of fluid viscosity is crucial in various industrial applications, influencing the
design and optimization of numerous mechanical and chemical processes. This study aimed to
measure the viscosity of different fluids using a capillary viscometer, a method praised for its
simplicity and accuracy. The experiment involved the use of an Ostwald viscometer to determine
the kinematic viscosities of selected Newtonian fluids under controlled temperature conditions.

Samples were tested at varying temperatures to observe the effects of thermal changes on fluid
viscosity. The viscometer consisted of a vertically set capillary tube, and viscosity was calculated
based on the time taken for a fixed volume of liquid to pass between two marked points. The
results were then corrected for density, and comparisons were made based on the type of fluid
and temperature.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................
Relevance of Study.........................................................................................................................................................
Objectives of Experiment...............................................................................................................................................
Aim of Experiment.........................................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY...........................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 3: RESULTS..........................................................................................................................................................
OBSERVATIONS..........................................................................................................................................................
DISCUSSION................................................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................................

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 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Viscosity is an important property of fluids that denotes opposition, resistance, or friction

to the flow of a liquid. Viscosity occurs as a result of contact of liquid layers with each other.
Viscosity can be determined from;

Consider two plates having the same area, laying parallel to each other: let the space
between them be filled with a fluid (either gas or liquid). If the upper plate is dragged by a force
F in the y direction, then it shall move with a constant Vy velocity. So the plate will move with a
constant velocity, having zero acceleration: the sum of the forces that act on the plate is zero.
Thus, against the force F that is dragging the plate, a frictional force, having the same magnitude
but the opposite direction as F is acting. It’s an empirical fact, that in this case, the fluid layer
near the plate is not moving as compared to the plate; so this frictional force does not arise on the
solid-fluid interface, but between the fluid layers: the adjacent layers are moving with different
velocities.

Viscous Flow Explanation

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Viscosity is a critical physical property of fluids that describes their internal resistance to flow.
This property is influenced by the interactions between molecules within the fluid. In the
petroleum industry, viscosity is a pivotal factor that determines the behavior of petroleum liquids
during extraction, processing, and transportation. The Ostwald viscometer provides a reliable
method for determining the viscosity of liquids. It operates on the principle that the time taken
for a liquid to flow under gravity through a capillary tube is an indicator of its viscosity. The
simplicity and effectiveness of the Ostwald viscometer make it an invaluable tool in
petrochemical laboratories for quality control and product development.

Relevance of Study

The petroleum industry relies on accurate viscosity measurements for optimizing the design and
operation of equipment used in the extraction, refining, and transportation of oil. Viscosity
affects the energy required to pump petroleum through pipelines and the efficiency of mixing
and chemical reactions during refining processes. Understanding the factors affecting viscosity is
crucial:

● Temperature: The most dominant factor, where an increase generally leads to decreased
viscosity. This relationship is critical in environments experiencing wide temperature
ranges.
● Composition: Petroleum is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons. The proportion of lighter
versus heavier compounds can significantly alter its viscosity.
● Pressure: While often less significant than temperature or composition, pressure can
influence viscosity, especially in high-pressure environments like deep-well extractions.

Additionally, distinguishing between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids is essential.

Newtonian fluids, like water and light oils, maintain a consistent viscosity irrespective of the
shear rate applied during flow. In contrast, non-Newtonian fluids, such as crude oils with varying
compositions, exhibit viscosity that can change under different flow conditions. This distinction
helps in predicting and managing flow behavior in practical applications.

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Objectives of Experiment

This experiment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how various factors affect
the viscosity of petroleum liquids. The specific objectives are:

● To measure and compare the viscosities of different petroleum liquids using the Ostwald
viscometer.
● To assess the impact of temperature changes on viscosity measurements.
● To analyze the behavior of these liquids under different compositional variations to
identify any non-Newtonian characteristics.
● To contribute to the development of more effective petroleum processing and handling
techniques by understanding these properties.

Aim of Experiment

The primary aim of this experiment is to delve into the viscosity characteristics of petroleum
liquids, facilitating a deeper understanding of their practical implications in the petroleum
industry. The findings are expected to enhance operational efficiencies, improve safety protocols
in handling and transporting petroleum products, and support the development of new
technologies and formulations in petroleum processing. This experiment will also provide critical
data that can be used to model flow dynamics in various industrial scenarios, contributing to the
optimization of pipeline and equipment design.

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 CHAPTER 2: METHODOLOGY

To determine the viscosity of fluid samples using the capillary type viscometer. The
materials and apparatus required for this experiment are:

Apparatus used in the experiment

Viscometer: A capillary viscometer is a tool for measuring the viscosity of a fluid. A liquid
is drained or forced through a fine-bore tube in this apparatus, and the viscosity is calculated
using the measured flow rate, applied pressure, and tube parameters.

Figure 2 Capillary viscometer

Beaker: A beaker is a cylindrical container with a flat bottom and straight sides. It is
generally used in laboratory equipment and has a small spout (or “beak”) to aid pouring

Figure 2 Beaker

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 Stopwatch: A stopwatch is a handheld timepiece designed to measure the amount of time that elapses
between its activation and deactivation

Figure 3 Stopwatch

Suction bulb: A suction bulb is a round, rubbery object with a short tube that creates a small amount
of suction when squeezed by hand

Figure 4 Suction bulb

Materials used are;

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Deionized water (Sample 1)

Figure 5 Deionized water

Crude oil (Sample 2)

Figure 6 Crude oil

Engine oil (Sample 3)

Figure 8 Engine oil

Oil condensate (Sample 4)

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 Figure 9 Oil condensate

Acetone- Used as a drying agent

PROCEDURES TAKEN

1. First of all, I ensured the viscometer is clean and free from any residue.
2. Using the beaker, I filled in the first sample into the larger part of the viscometer as
desired.
3. I covered the smaller end with a sucker or suction then covered the larger section with my
finger.
4. Then I gently sucked the fluid up to the ball part of the viscometer using the suction bulb
until the fluid reached the required mark above.
5. I set up the stopwatch.
6. I started the stopwatch immediately as I let go of the large section and removed the
suction bulb.
7. I timed how fast it takes for the fluid to drop down to the required mark below the ball
part using the reading from the stopwatch.
8. I took down my readings.
9. I carried out the experiments 3 times to take its average.

These steps were repeated for the other sample.

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 CHAPTER 3: RESULTS

Dynamic
Constant Hagenbach Kinematic Density, ρ Viscosity, µ
Sample C, (cSt/s) Time (s) factor, ϑ Viscosity, ʋ (g/cm3) (cp)

Diesel 1.2 5.13 0.7 5.316 0.815 4.333

Crude Oil 1.2 3.54 0.25 3.948 0.84 3.316

Engine oil 1.2 154.28 0.75 184.24 0.88 162.128

Oil
condensate 1.2 2.025 0.5 1.83 0.8 1.464

Formulas used:

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OBSERVATIONS
● It is commonly used in industries dealing with liquids of varying viscosities, such as distilled
water, castor oil, engine oil, and crude oil.
● After I was done with the first sample. I ensured that there were no bubbles in it and it was
properly dry.

DISCUSSION

Determining the viscosity of reservoir fluid is an essential part of petroleum engineering since it

has a direct impact on the production performance and flow characteristics of hydrocarbon

reservoirs. Viscosity measurements were made in this lab practical on representative reservoir

fluids in order to gain a better understanding of their rheological characteristics and how they

affect production operations. Viscosity of reservoir fluids was measured using viscometers in

this experiment. Our findings help the petroleum sector optimize production plans, wellbore

designs, and reservoir management by offering insightful information about the viscosity

behavior of reservoir fluids. This laboratory exercise is an essential part of the education of

petroleum engineers; it provides practical experience in describing reservoir fluids and improves

students' comprehension of fluid flow in hydrocarbon reservoirs.

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 CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION

Our findings show that the engine oil is the more viscous compared to the other fluid

samples. For accurately determining a fluid's viscosity, use the capillary method. Both the

dynamic and kinematic viscosities may be precisely determined from the measurements from the

viscometer.

This laboratory experiment successfully demonstrated the relationship between temperature and

the viscosity of each fluid sample. As expected, the results showed that fluids with higher density

is more viscous. The data obtained provides valuable insights into the flow characteristics of the

reservoir fluid, which can be extrapolated to predict its behavior within the reservoir formation.

Additionally, the experiment represents a simplified scenario compared to the complex downhole

environment, where factors like pressure and interaction with other reservoir fluids can influence

viscosity.

Despite these limitations, this experiment serves as a valuable foundation for understanding the

impact of temperature on reservoir fluid viscosity. Further investigations incorporating pressure

effects and potential interactions with other fluids would provide a more comprehensive picture

of the fluid's behavior under realistic downhole conditions.

REFERENCES
● Briggs, B. N., Soltys, M. A., & Forbes, M. H. (2011). Tech engineering.
Retrieved from
https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_surg_lesson03
● Chemical Engineers Handbook, 6th edition. (1984). In R. H. Perry, & D.
Green. New york: McGraw-Hill.
● Hossein, A. (2014). Reservoir Fluid Laboratory Course. Retrieved from Slide Share:
https://www.slideshare.net/alaminia/q923rfll03

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