Rheological characterization of non-Newtonian fluids with a novel viscometer

Abstract

A hydrostatic head viscometer and its novel viscosity equation were developed to determine flow characteristics of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. The objective of this research is to test capabilities of the hydrostatic head viscometer and its novel non-Newtonian viscosity equation by characterizing rheological behaviors of well-known polyethylene oxide aqueous solutions as non-Newtonian fluids with 60wt.% sucrose aqueous solution as a reference/calibration fluid. Non-Newtonian characteristics of 0.3-0.7wt.% polyethylene oxide aqueous solutions were extensively investigated with the hydrostatic head viscometer and its non-Newtonian viscosity equation over a 294-306K temperature range, a 0.14-40 Reynolds number range, and a 55-784s(-1) shear rate range at atmospheric pressure. Dynamic viscosity values of 60wt.% sucrose aqueous solution were determined with the calibrated hydrostatic head viscometer and its Newtonian viscosity equation over a 3-5 Reynolds number range at 299.15K and atmospheric pressure and compared with the literature dynamic viscosity value.