Redwood Viscometer

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EXPERIMENT No.

03 : RED WOOD VISCOMETER


Aim :
To determine the kinematic viscosity and absolute viscosity of the given lubricating oil at
different temperatures using Redwood Viscometer

Apparatus required :
Redwood Viscometer
Thermometer 0-100°c (2 Nos)
Stop watch
50 ml standard narrow necked flask
Given Sample of oil

Theory and Definition :


By definition, a fluid is a substance that continuous to deform so long as a shear force is
acted upon it. An ideal fluid is one, which continuously deforms i.e., flow, however
negligible the applied shear force may be. However, the real fluids offer some resistance
before they deform. This resistance to flow is due to its property, called viscosity of the fluid.
In solids the induced stress is directly proportional to the resulting strain within the elastic
limit, and this is true for all types of stresses, be it tensile, compressive or shear stress.
According to Newton’s law of fluids, however, in fluids the shear stress, τ, is proportional to
time rate of strain, dθ/dt.

Mathematically, τ ∝ (dθ/dt)
⇔ τ = μ (dθ/dt)

Where the constant of proportionality μ is called coefficient of dynamic viscosity and it is


measured in poise. Thus, absolute or dynamic viscosity is the tangential force per unit area
required to move one horizontal plane of the fluid at unit velocity with respect to another
maintained at a unit distance apart by the fluid. When the force is 1 dyne/cm2, the distance
between the layers or planes 1cm and the velocity gradient 1 cm/sec, the viscosity is 1poise.
This being a large unit, absolute viscosity is more commonly expressed as one hundredth of a
poise called centipoise. The viscosity of water, for example, at 200C is 1.002 centipoise. The
coefficient of kinematic viscosity, ν, is defined as the ratio of dynamic viscosity fluid to its
density. Fluids, which obey Newton’s law, are called Newtonian fluids and those, which do
not obey, are called Non-Newtonian fluids. All gasses, water etc., are examples of Newtonian
fluids while visco-elastic materials like tar, molasses, honey, blood etc., and mixtures of
fluids and solids such as slurries are examples of non-Newtonian fluids.

Description of Redwood Viscometer :


The redwood viscometer consist of vertical cylindrical oil cup with an orifice in the centre of
its base . The orifice can be closed by a ball . A hook pointing upward serve as a guide mark
for filling the oil . The cylindrical cup is surrounded by the water bath . The water bath
maintain the temperature of the oil to be tested at constant temperature . The oil is heated by
heating the water bath by means of an immersed electric heater in the water bath , The
provision is made for stirring the water , to maintain the uniform temperature in the water
bath and to place the thermometer ti record the temperature of oil and water bath . The
cylinder is 47.625mm in diameter and 88.90mm deep . The orifice is 1.70mm in diameter
and 12mm in length , This viscometer is used to determine the kinematic viscosity of the oil.
From the kinematic viscosity the dynamic viscosity is determined .

It consists of following parts:


a. Oil cup: It is silver plate and brass cylinder the upper end of the cup is open
the bottom of one cylinder is fitted with a jet. It is open or closed by a valve
rod.
b. Heating bath: Oil cup is surrounded by cylindrical copper bath containing
water. It is provided with top to emptying water from it. And long side tube
projecting outward.
c. Stirrer: Outside the oil cylinder a stirrer carrying & blades is provided with
circular stields at the top to prevent any water splashing into oil cylinder.
d. Spirit Level: The lid of the cup is provided with a spirit level for vertical
leveling of the jet.
e. Levelling Screw: The entire jet on the Legs provided at their bottom with
leveling screws.

Procedure :
(1) Clean the cylindrical oil cup and ensure the orifice tube is free from dirt .
(2) Close the orifice with ball valve.
(3)Level the apparatus by using spirit level and adjusting the leveling screws
(3) Place the 50 ml flask below the opening of the Orifice .
(4) Fill the oil in the cylindrical oil cup upto the mark in the cup .
(5) Fill the water in the water bath.
(6) Insert the thermometers in their respective places to measure the oil and water bath
temperatures.
(7) Heat the by heating the water bath, Stirred the water bath and maintain the uniform
temperature .
(0)Heat the oil sample in the cup until the required temperature is attained.
(8) At particular temperature lift the wire valve and collect the oil in the 50 ml flask and note
the time taken in seconds for the collecting 50 ml of oil . A stop watch is used measure the
time taken . This time is called Redwood seconds .
(9) Increase the temperature and repeat the procedure ‘1’ to ‘8’ and note down the Redwood
seconds for different temperatures .

.
The velocity in the Engler, Redwood and Saybolt degrees can be converted into
kinematics visit V by the empirical relation

V = At – B/t
Where A and B are constants applicable to the viscometer, t is the time efflux in seconds
and V is the kinametic viscosity in stokes. The term B/t has been introduced to
compensate for adequate flow development in case of a tube of short length. Commonly
accepted values of A and B for the different viscometers are:

VISCOMETER A B

Say bolt 0.24 190


Redwood 0.26 172
Engler 1.47 374

These laboratory instruments are widely used in the petroleum and allied industries.

Graph : The following graph has to be drawn


(1)Temperature Vs Kinematic Viscosity
(2)Temperature Vs Dynamic Viscosity
(3) Temperature Vs. Density

PRECAUTIONS
1. Ensure proper sitting of the ball valve to avoid leakage.
2. Stir the water bath continuously during heating for homogenous rise in temperature.
3. Oil should be free from suspended particles.
4. The jet should be clear.

RESULT
1. The kinematic viscosity of the oil sample at ----- 0 C is ------- centi strokes.
2. The dynamic or absolute viscosity of the oil sample at ----- 0 C is ------- centi poise.

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