DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION,

ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : N. YESU MARIAMMA
Designation : Senior Lecturer
Branch : Electronics & Instrumentation
Institute : Govt. Polytechnic for Minorities, Guntur.
Year/Semester : IV - Semester
Subject : Process Instrumentation – II
Sub. Code : AEI - 405
Topic : Viscosity Measurement (4/5)
Duration : 100 min
Sub Topic : Capillary Viscometer
Teaching Aids : Diagrams
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 Objectives

Upon completion of this topic the student will be

able to know about

• The principle of operation of the capillary tube viscometer

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 Capillary Tube Viscometer
Flow in

Liquid vessel

Constant
head (h)
Liquid
Flow
Capillary tube

Overflow
Measuring jar

Fig1
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 Capillary Tube Viscometer

• It mainly consists of a Flow in

• Liquid vessel
Liquid vessel

Constant
head (h)
Liquid
Flow

• Capillary tube Capillary tube

Overflow
L
• Measuring jar Measuring jar

• The measuring jar is used to collect the specified volume

of sample liquid
• The constant pressure head or hydrostatic head of fluid
causes the liquid flow through the capillary tube

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• The discharge rate (Q) can be easily calculated by using
measuring jar and stop watch

Volume of liquid collected in the measuring jar

Q=
Time taken to collect the liquid in the measuring jar

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If the flow is laminar, the discharge rate (Q) is given by

πD4ΔP
Q=
128μL
Where
Q = Volume of the liquid passing through the tube
per second
L = Length of the capillary tube
D = Diameter of the capillary tube
μ = Coefficient of viscosity
ΔP = pressure drop across the ends of the tube

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ΔP = ρ g h

Where ρ = Density of the fluid

g = Acceleration due to gravity

h = constant head

πD4ρg h
Q=
128μL

πD4 ρg h
μ=
128QL

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• In the above equation the diameter of Capillary tube is
raised to fourth power

• Hence it is essential to measure it as accurately as

possible

• By using traveling microscope the diameter of the

capillary tube can be measured accurately

• Capillary tube viscometer can be used as a flow

metering device if the viscosity of the liquid is known

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 Advantages

• Simple in construction

• No maintenance required

• Easy to use

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 Disadvantage

• The main disadvantage of this viscometer is that it is not

suitable for unclean fluids as the dirt or grit tends to clog

the capillary tube

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 Applications

• They can be used as secondary standards for the

calibration of other type of viscometers

• They are used in the refineries to measure the viscosity

of petroleum products

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Fig 2
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 Summary

We have discussed about :

• Principal of operation of the capillary tube viscometer

• Advantages & Disadvantages

• Applications

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 Quiz

1. In capillary tube viscometer, the coefficient of

viscosity μ =

a) (πD4 ρ gh) / (128QL)

b) (πD4 ρ gh) / (128µL)

c) ρ gh

d) None of the above

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1. The capillary tube viscometer is not suitable for

a) Cleaned fluids

b) Dirty fluids

c) Both a and b

d) None

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 Frequently asked questions

1. Explain the principle of operation of the capillary tube

viscometer

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