GP111

Elementary Thermodynamics

Lab 03: Redwood’s Viscometer

Prof. Primal Fernando
primal@eng.pdn.ac.lk
Ph: (081) 2393608
/0718450438 1
Aim and objectives

• Aim
– To study the Viscosity of a given sample of oil with
temperature
• Objectives
– Find the variation of viscosity of an oil with temperature
– Obtain correlation between viscosity and temperature

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Lubricants are used mainly two reasons;

• To reduce the resistance to relative motion between two surfaces

in contact under pressure

• To reduce wear of surface in contact under pressure and as far as

possible eliminate danger of seizure.

• The viscosities of all oils change with temperature and tend to

decrease with increase of temperature. The maintenance of a
suitable viscosity under all conditions of operation is essential
(compare starting and running conditions). Hence the lubricant
must have a variation of viscosity which is within the suitable
range of values for the range of operating temperatures.

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 Viscosity
• Viscosity, , is a measure of resistance to fluid flow as a result of
intermolecular cohesion. In other words, viscosity can be seen as internal
friction to fluid motion which can then lead to energy loss.
• Viscosity of a fluid expresses its resistance to shearing flows, where
adjacent layers move parallel to each other with different speeds.
• Different fluids deform at different rates under the same shear stress. The
ease with which a fluid pours is an indication of its viscosity. Fluid with a
high viscosity such as syrup deforms more slowly than fluid with a low
viscosity such as water. The viscosity is also known as dynamic viscosity.

Units: N.s/m2 (Pa.s), kg/m/s or poise(=0.1 Pa.s), centipoise (0.001 poise)

Typical values: Water = 1.14x10-3 kg/m/s; Air = 1.78x10-5 kg/m/s

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No slip condition

• A fluid in motion comes to a complete

stop at the surface and assumes a y
zero velocity relative to the surface.
That is, a fluid in direct contact with a
solid sticks to the surface and there is
no slip. This is known as no slip
condition, and it is due to the fluid
viscosity.
u
• The only exception to no-slip
condition occurs in extremely rarefied
gases (A gas whose pressure is much
less than atmospheric pressure ).

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Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluid
obey refer
Fluid Newton’s law Newtonian fluids
of viscosity

Newton’s’ law of viscosity is given by;

Example:
du Air
 Water
dy Oil
Gasoline
 = shear stress Alcohol
 = dynamic viscosity of fluid Kerosene
du/dy = shear rate, rate of strain or velocity gradient Benzene
Glycerine

• The viscosity  is a function only of the condition of the fluid,

particularly its temperature.
• The magnitude of the velocity gradient (du/dy) has no effect on the
magnitude of .
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Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluid

Do not obey
Fluid Newton’s law Non- Newtonian
of viscosity fluids

• The viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid is dependent on the

velocity gradient as well as the condition of the fluid.

Newtonian Fluids
 a linear relationship between shear stress and the velocity gradient (rate of shear),
 the slope is constant
 the viscosity is constant

non-Newtonian fluids
 slope of the curves for non-Newtonian fluids varies

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 Some paints,
polymer solutions
toothpaste

)
st ic
la
d op
u
pse
(

t)
a t an
il
(D
solutions with
suspended starch or
sand

Newtonian fluids Non-Newtonian fluids

If the gradient m is constant, the fluid is termed as Newtonian

fluid. Otherwise, it is known as non-Newtonian fluid.

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Kinematic viscosity, 

Definition: is the ratio of the viscosity to the density;

  /
• will be found to be important in cases in which significant viscous and
gravitational forces exist.

Units: m2/s, stoke (=1 cm2/s=0.0001 m2/s) or centistoke (cSt) (=stoke/100)

Typical values:
Water = 1.14x10-6 m2/s; Air = 1.46x10-5 m2/s;

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Dynamic viscosity (absolute viscosity) in general

viscosity of liquids with temperature

viscosity of gases with in temperature.

From kinetic theory  gas  T

aT 1 / 2
Sutherland correlation  gas 
1 b /T

For liquid  liquid  a10 b /(T c )

T is absolute temperature and a, b, and c are

experimentally determined constants which
depends on the fluid.

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Determining viscosity of a fluid
Consider a fluid layer of thickness l with a
small gap two concentric cylinders, such as a
thin layer of oil in a journal bearing. The gap
between the cylinder can be modeled as two
parallel flat plates separated by a fluid.

torque , T  FR

du V
force, F  A  A  A
dy l

area , A  2RL Velocity , V  R angular velocity,   2n

2R 3L 4 2 R 3 n L
torque, T  FR   
l l
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Redwood's viscometer

• Why it is called Redwood Viscometer?

– ‘Redwood Viscometer’ determines the viscosity in terms of seconds
(which are terms as Redwood seconds), a time taken by oil to pass
through a standard orifice, and collection of the same oil in 50 cc
flask. Originally Redwood Viscometer was developed for the
measurement of viscosity of petroleum products.

• What is the principle of Redwood Viscometer?

– 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.

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Redwood's viscometer
• What fluids use the Redwood’s viscometer ?
– A redwood viscometer is used to measure the flow of eight
different liquids including engine oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil,
glycerol, thermic fluid (Hy- therm), coconut oil, water and ghee.
Kinematic viscosity is determined by redwood viscometer with
help of its constants..
• What do you mean by Redwood Viscometer?
– A standard British-type viscometer in which the viscosity is
determined by the time, in seconds, required for a certain
quantity of liquid to pass out through the orifice under given
conditions; used for determining viscosities of petroleum oils.
• What is Redwood seconds?
– a scale of measurement of viscosity based on the time in seconds
taken for fluid to flow through a standard orifice: accepted as
standard in the UK in 1886.
• Named after Sir B. Redwood (1846–1919), English chemist who
proposed it.
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Theory

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 Apparatus

Thermometers (for water, oil)

Inner container fill with oil

Outer container fill with water
RedwoodȂs Viscometer
Heater

Oil to measure viscosity (SAE30)

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 Apparatus
Stopper (lifting this oil
flows to the colector)
Outer container fill
with water
Inner container
fill with oil
Stirrer

Oil flow
Oil collector

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Graphical sketch of Redwood viscometer

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 PROCEDURE:

1. Fill the oil to the inner vessel up to gauge G.

2. Heat the water poured to the outer vessel using projecting tubes
with continuous stirring.

3. Allow to raise the temperature of water gradually to a desired

value and keep oil bath temperature steady.

4. Remove the stopper and measure the time taken to collect 50 ml

of oil when temperature is steady.

5. Repeat this for different temperature for both oils.

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Observations and calculations

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MODEL GRAPHS

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Calculations

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PRECAUTIONS

• Stir the water continuously so that the temperature of the oil

and water are equal.

• Before collecting the oil at a temperature, check whether the oil

is up to the Indicator in the oil cup.

• Always take the readings at a stable temperature

• Ensure proper setting of the ball valve to avoid leakage

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