Flow Behavior of Fluids Measured in Brookfield

Digital viscometer versus Bohlin Rheometer

Alexus Brown
Abstract
Viscosity is described as the measure of a fluids resistance to deformation by
shear stress. A fluids viscosity is dependent on the size and shape of its particles
and also their attraction. Newtonian fluids are those whose rate of deformation is
proportional to the force applied. The apparent viscosity is constant with changing
shear rates. Non- Newtonian fluids (also referred to as dilatant and pseudoplastic)
the shear stress and strain rate is defined as non-linear and can also be dependent
on time. In this experiment shear stress is calculated using both a Brookfield
Digital Viscometer (LVDV-E) and Bohlin Rheometer. The instrumentation that is
used consists of a vertical spindle that is immersed into the fluid below it.
Activation of the instruments motor causes the spindle to rotate within that sample;
the resistance to that movement is a measure of the viscosity. Results?

Introduction
Brookfield Viscometer and Bohlin Rheometer are used to measure shear
stress of fluids. The instrument is powered by a motor which drops a spindle that
rotates inside of the fluid measuring viscosity under different shear rates. Once the
shear stress vs. constant viscosity has been plotted Newtonian or Non-Newtonian
characteristics can be determined. Viscosity varies depending on the type of fluid.
This experiment uses data from different types of test fluids varying in thickness.

Objective
The purpose of this experiment is to become familiar with viscosity
measurement instruments and to measure flow behavior of fluids.
Methods and Materials

A Brookfield digital (LVDV-E) viscometer with the cylindrical spindle set

and a Bohlin rheometer are used as the two shear stress measurement instruments.
Beakers and a balance were also needed. the test fluids are as follows; Starch (
60% starch , 40% water) , barbeque sauce, Wal-Mart soap, Ajax soap, and Palm
Oil at temperatures ranging from 20C to 95C. Brookfield Digital (LVDV-E)
viscometer was used to measure shear stress. The level one spindle of the
Brookfield is inserted to the appropriate depth inside of a 500mL beaker filled with
one of the fluids described previously. The motor is activated and the maximum
reading on display was recorded. The previous steps were repeated for speeds 1.0,
2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5 rpm where used each was read twice recording both results. The
data from the Bohlin rheometer was given.

Results and Discussion

Shear stress
Graphs and Tables
Table 1
Spindle
Number
Shear Rate
(s^-1)

0.22

.121

.21

.209

.209

Apparent Viscosity (Pa*s)

1.04
1.02
1
0.98
0.96
0.94
0.92
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.2

Shear Rate s^-1

Figure 1. Ajax Soap. Appearent viscosity as a function of shear rate.

1.2

Shear Stress Pa

1
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Shear Rate s^-1

Figure 2. Ajax Soap. Shear Stress as a function of shear rate

1.2

Shear Stress Pa

250.00
200.00
150.00
100.00
50.00
0.00
0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00 100.00 120.00 140.00 160.00

Shear Rate s^-1

Figure 3. Shear stress as a function of shear rate
Starch (60% starch, 40% water)

Ajax Soap

Barbeque sauce

12.000
Shear Stress (Pa)

10.000
8.000
6.000
4.000
2.000
0.000
0.00

20.00

40.00

60.00

80.00

100.00

Shear Rate s^-1

Figure 4. Palm Oil. Shear stress as a function of shear rate
20C

35C

50C

65C

80C

95C

120.00

Shear Stress Pa

4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

Shear Rate s^-1

Figure 6. Ajax Soap. Shear Stress as a function of shear rate
Brookfield

Bohlin

60.000

shear Stress Ps

50.000
40.000
30.000
20.000
10.000
0.000
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Shear Rate s^-1

Figure 7. Shear stress as a function of shear rate
Ajax Soap

Walmart Soap

70

80