CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology

Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

No. Contents Page Number

1.0 Objectives 1
2.0 Summary 1
3.0 Introduction & Theory 2-4
4.0 Results & Discussion/ Tutorial 5-13
5.0 Conclusion & Recommendations 14
6.0 References 15
7.0 Appendices 16
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |1

1.0 OBJECTIVES

2.0 SUMMARY
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |2

3.0 INTRODUCTION & THEORY

Viscosity is defined as the resistance of a fluid to flow and is measured as the ratio of
the shearing stress to the rate of shearing strain. The higher the viscosity the greater the
shearing force the fluids will experience opposing its movement. The viscosity of a fluid is a
measure of its resistance to gradual deformation by shear stress or tensile stress. It is also
define as resistance of fluid to flow. There are two character of a fluid. They were Newtonian
(true fluid) and non-newtonian (plastic fluid). Newtonian is a fluid where the ratio of shear
stress and shear rate or viscosity is constant. Meanwhile, for non-newtonian, the viscosity is
not constant. Different fluids have different viscosities depending on whether they fall in the
categories of Newtonian or non-Newtonian fluids. A Newtonian fluid is represented
graphically in the figure below. Graph A shows that the relationship between shear stress (F)
and shear rate (S) is a straight line. Graph B shows that the fluids viscosity remains constant
as the shear rate is varied. Typical Newtonian fluids include water and thin motor oils. At
given temperature, the viscosity of a Newtonian fluid will remain constant regardless of
Viscometer model, spindle or speed used. Newtonian are the easiest fluid to measure.

Figure 1: Shear stress against shear rate of Newtonian fluid

For non-Newtonian fluid is defined as the relationship of F/S is not constant. When
the shear rate is varied, the shear stress does not vary in the same proportion. The viscosity of
fluids will change as the shear rate is varied. Thus, the experimental Viscometer model,
spindle and speed all have effect on the measured viscosity of non-Newtonian fluid. Non-
Newtonian flow can be envisioned by thinking of any fluid as a mixture of molecules with
different shapes and sizes. As they pass by each other, as happen during flow, their size,
shape and cohesiveness will determine how much force is required to move them. At each
specific rate of shear, the alignment may be different and more or less force may be required
to maintain motion (Godfrey, 2011).
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Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |3

The Brookfield Viscometer is of the rotational variety. It measures the torque required
to rotate an immersed element which is the spindle in a fluid. The spindle is driven by a
motor through a calibrated spring which deflection of the spring is indicated by a pointer and
dial. The viscous drag or resistance to flow is indicated by the degree to which the spring
winds up. By utilizing a multiple speed transmission and interchangeable spindles, a variety
of viscosity ranges can be measured. Measurement made by using the spindle at different
speeds are used to detect and evaluate rheological properties of the test fluid.

The purposes of this experiment are to determine the viscosity of different

types of fluid and to measure multiple speeds and interchangeable spindles result in a large
selection of viscosity range. There were two types of fluid that was used in this experiment.
They were lubricating oil and diesel. The apparatus that was used to test the viscosity is
called The Brookfield Viscometer and it measures the torque required to rotate the immersed
spindle. There were also two different types of spindle that was used. By utilizing a multiple
speed transmission and interchangeable spindles, a variety of viscosity ranges can be
measured. Thus, the measurement can be used to detect and evaluate the properties if the test
fluid.

Each sample (lubricating oil and diesel) were poured in a different large beaker.
Spindle 1 was assembled onto the viscometer. The viscometer was lowered until the spindle 1
was immersed in the middle of the sample. The speed was selected at 1.5 rpm and the motor
was switched on. Then, after 5 revolutions the reading is ready to be recorded. Therefore,
depress the clutch lever and hold it in the down position and switched off the motor. Repeat
the steps for 3, 6, 12, 30 and 60 rpm of the speed. Only then, the spindle was allowed to
change into the spindle 2. The steps was conducted exactly the same.

The viscosity in centipoise (cP) can be calculated by:

(. ) =
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |4

Operating Principal Of A Brookfields Viscometer

Brookfield Viscometer applied the principle of rotational viscometry. The

torque required to turn the object (spindle) in the fluid determine the viscosity of the fluid.
The torque was applied through a calibrated spring or spindle that was immersed in the fluid.
The spring deflection measures the fluid that was drag against the spindle. The amount if the
fluid being drag is proportional to the amount of torque required to rotate the spindle.
Brookfield viscosities measured under the same operating conditions such as spindle, speed,
time of test and sample that may affect the behavior of the fluid. The trial and error is often
necessary in order to determine the proper spindle and speeds. Successful test methods will
deliver a % torque reading between 10 and 100. The rheological behavior of the test fluid can
be observed using the same spindle at different speeds, but because the geometry of the fluid
around a rotating bob or disk spindle in a large container does not allow a single shear rate to
be assigned, proper rheometry is not feasible using this setup.
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Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |5

4.0 RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS/ TUTORIAL

RESULTS

Table 1: Dial reading X Factor = Viscosity in cP (mPa.s)

Speed (rpm)
Spindle no.
1.5 3 6 12 30 60
1 40 20 10 5 2 1
2 200 100 50 25 10 5
3 800 400 200 100 40 20
4 4000 2000 1000 500 200 100

Table 2: Viscosity of lubricating oil

Speed Factor Spindle 1 Viscosity Spindle 2 Factor Viscosity

1.5 40 0 0 0 200 0
3 20 3.5 70 0 100 0
6 10 9.5 95 1 50 50
12 5 19.5 97.5 3.5 25 87.5
30 2 50 100 10.5 10 105
60 1 - - 19.5 5 97.5

Viscosity (cP) = Dial reading X Factor

= 0 X 40

= 0 cP
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |6

Table 3: Viscosity of diesel

Speed Factor Spindle 1 Viscosity Spindle 2 Factor Viscosity

1.5 40 0 0 0 200 0
3 20 0 0 0 100 0
6 10 0 0 0 50 0
12 5 0.5 2.5 - 25 -
30 2 5 10 - 10 -
60 1 10 10 - 5 -

Viscosity (cP) = Dial reading X Factor

= 0 X 40

= 0 cP

Spindle 1 vs Speed
(Lubricating oil)
6

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
-1

* For speed 60 spindle reading is error where it exceeding 100

Figure 2: Spindle 1 against speed for lubricating oil

CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |7

Viscosity (cP) against spindle speed

(rpm) for lubricating oil
120
100
Viscosity (cP)

80
60
Viscosity (Spindle 1)
40
Viscosity (Spindle 2)
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Spindle speed (rpm)

Figure 3: Viscosity against spindle speed for lubricating oil

Spindle 1 vs Speed
( Diesel)
12

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
-2

Figure 4: Spindle 1 against speed for diesel oil

CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |8

Viscosity (cP) against spindle speed (rpm)

for diesel oil
120

100

80
Spindle

60
Viscosity (Spindle 1)
40
Viscosity (Spindle 2)
20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Speed (rpm)

Figure: Viscosity against spindle speed for diesel oil

From the graph plotted above, the samples which are lubricating oil and diesel are
both Newtonian fluids. Mineral oils is the example of Newtonian fluids. As the speed of the
spindle increased, the viscosity of both fluids increased. Hence, it can be concluded that both
fluids are Newtonian fluids.
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e |9

DISCUSSIONS

This experiment has been designed for the students in order to fulfil the objectives
which want to determine the viscosity and torque of oil using viscometer and also to compare
the viscosity of different type of oils. Basically during this experiment, students have been
prepared with two different type of oil which are the lubricating oil and also the diesel. In
order to determine the viscosity the oils have been tested separately using two different type
of spindle which has different size. The viscosity of the oils have been measured by using the
viscostar viscometers which helps to measure both viscosity of Newtonian and non-
Newtonian liquids by measuring the rotation resistance of a cylinder or spindle immersed into
the liquid of interest. The parameter in this experiment which is the speed of spindle have
been set into different rotation which are 1.5, 3, 6, 12, 30, and 60.

As the experiment has been ran, the result shows the differences produce from both
oils for each speeds and also the type of spindle. For the first test, type of oil that have been
used are lubricating oil. As it goes with the first spindle result shows that for speed of 1.5 the
reading for spindle 1 is 0 same goes to spindle 2. For speed of 3, spindle 1 produce reading of
3.5 but for spindle2 the reading was stilled 0. Then the speed been increased to 6 which
produce 9.5 reading for spindle 1 and for spindle 2 the reading was 1. Then for speed of 12,
reading for spindle 1 was 19.5 compared to spindle 2 which 3.5. For the next speed which 30,
spindle 1 produce reading of 50 and spindle 2 was 10.5. As the speed been increased to 60,
spindle 1 produce an error reading which exceeding 100 while spindle 2 produce reading of
19.5.

The reading produce by both spindles then taken for further calculations to determine
the viscosity of the oils. For speed of 1.5 both spindles produce viscosity of 0. For the speed
of 3, spindle 1 produce value of viscosity which is 70 compared to spindles 2 which 0. Then,
for speed of 6 the viscosity for spindle 1 is 95 compared to spindle 2 which 50. As the speed
changed to 12 viscosity for spindle 1 is 97.5 and spindle 2 is 87.5. As speed being increased
to 30 and 60 viscosity value for both spindle for speed of 30 are 100 for spindle 1 and 105 for
spindle 2. For speed of 60 viscosity for spindle 1 cannot be identified due to an error reading
and for spindle 2 is 97.5.
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e | 10

The experiment further continued by changing the type of oils used from lubricating
oil to diesel, the result shows the differences produce from both oils for each speeds and also
the type of spindle. As it goes with the first spindle result shows that for speed of 1.5 the
reading for spindle 1 is 0 same goes to spindle 2. The results continued to be the same for the
speed of 3 and 6 where the reading for spindle 1 and 2 still produce the same reading which is
0. Then for speed of 12, 30 and 60 only the reading for spindle 1 can be read which are 0.5, 5
and 10 while the reading for spindle 2 cannot be read as the indicator not showing the reading
on the viscostar viscometer. Further calculations towards the viscosity have been done which
for speed 1.5, 3 and 6 both spindle 1 and 2 produce result of 0 for the viscosity. Furthermore,
for speed 12, 30 and 60 the viscosity for spindle 1 are 2.5, 10 and 10. The viscosity for
spindle 2 cannot be determined as the reading for the spindle cannot be obtained on the
viscostar viscometer.

The theory behind the results can be explained by the properties of the oils that have
been used which are the lubricating oil and the diesel. Besides that, the results also affected
by the type of spindle used as can be seen from the tabulated data that both spindle produced
different reading. For further understanding if the viscosity, it is said to be the measurement
of its resistance to gradual deformation by sheer stress or tensile stress. From the results, it
can be seen that lubricating oil have higher value of viscosity compared to diesel. This is
because, it also affected by the pour point characteristic of the oil itself. Pour point is where
temperature at which it becomes semi solid and loses its flow characteristics. In addition, oil
that have high pour point is generally contain high paraffin content. In this case it can be said
the pour point of the lubricating oil is higher compared to diesel because of the high paraffin
content. The other parameter that has been the highlighted is the type of spindle used which
they are different in term of the size. Spindle 1 is bigger compared to spindle 2, where during
the rotation process the spindle will form the sheer stress between its surface and the oil
surface. Based on the non-newtonian fluids, it is called shear-thickening liquids where the
viscosity will increase with the rate of shear strain. For spindle 2 it is smaller where it
produce less shear stress compared to spindle 1. Lubricating oil has higher spindle reading as
it is more viscous and during the rotation of spindle, it need more force to break the carbon
bonding in the oil component. Lubricating oil also can be classified as heavy oil compared to
diesel thus diesel has lower spindle reading as the spindle need less force to break the bond.
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e | 11

TUTORIAL

1. Define Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids.

2. How does the viscosity of liquid vary with temperature?

3. What is the cause of viscosity in liquids?

4. Discuss how the spindles speed of rotation and the spindle size affect the viscosity
reading.

5. Plot the graph of viscosity along Y-axis versus spindle speed (rpm) along X-axis.
(Use data from suitable spindle). Determine the categories of the test fluid.
(Newtonian or Non-Newtonian).

Viscosity (cP) against spindle speed

(rpm) for lubricating oil
120
100
Viscosity (cP)

80
60
Viscosity (Spindle 1)
40
Viscosity (Spindle 2)
20
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Spindle speed (rpm)

Figure: Viscosity against spindle speed for lubricating oil

CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e | 12

Viscosity (cP) against spindle speed (rpm)

for diesel oil
120

100

80
Spindle

60
Viscosity (Spindle 1)
40
Viscosity (Spindle 2)
20

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Speed (rpm)

Figure: Viscosity against spindle speed for diesel oil

From the graph plotted above, the samples which are lubricating oil and diesel are
both Newtonian fluids. Mineral oils is the example of Newtonian fluids. As the speed of the
spindle increased, the viscosity of both fluids increased. Hence, it can be concluded that both
fluids are Newtonian fluids.
CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e | 13

5.0 CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS

CPB30503- Petrochemicals & Petroleum Refining Technology
Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e | 14

6.0 REFERENCES

Azo Materials, (2013). How does temperature change viscosity in liquids and gases?.
Retrieved from www.azom.com

Department of Process. (n.d). Determination of viscosity of oil. University Kuala Lumpur

Malaysian Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering Technology (MICET).

KEW Engineering. (2009). Oil viscosity explained. Retrieved from

http://www.kewengineering.co.uk/Auto_oils/oil_viscosity_explained.htm

Noria Publication. (n.d). Oil viscosity- How its measured and reported. Retrieved from
http://machinerylubrication.com/Read/411/oil-viscosity

Nptel, (n.d). Causes of viscosity. Retrieved from nptel.ac.in/courses/112104118/lecture-1/1-

11-cause-of-viscosity.html

Peters, S. (2015). What are Newtonian and non-newtonian fluids?. Retrieved from
www.blog.craneengineering.net

Phoenix. (2017). General properties of lubricating oil. Retrieved from

http://www.phoenixlubricants.com.au/13web/tech-talk.asp

Viscopedia. (n.d). Diesel fuel. Retrieved from http://www.viscopedia.com/viscosity-

tables/substances/diesel-fuel/
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Experiment 3: Determination of viscosity of oil P a g e | 15

7.0 APPENDICES