Continuous viscosity measurement of non-Newtonian fluids over a range of shear rates using a mass-detecting capillary viscometer

A newly designed mass-detecting capillary viscometer uses a novel concept to continuously measure non-Newtonian fluids viscosity over a range of shear rates. A single measurement of liquid-mass variation with time replaces the flow rate and pressure drop measurements that are usually required by capillary tube viscometers. Using a load cell and a capillary, we measured change in the mass flow rate through a capillary tube with respect to the time, m(t), from which viscosity and shear rate were mathematically calculated. For aqueous polymer solutions, excellent agreement was found between the results from the mass-detecting capillary viscometer and those from a commercially available rotating viscometer. This new method overcomes the drawbacks of conventional capillary viscometers meassuring non-Newtonian fluid viscosity. First, the mass-detecting capillary viscometer can accurately and consistently measure non-Newtonian viscosity over a wide range of shear rate extending as low as 1 s(-1). Second, this design provides simplicity (i. e., ease of operation, no moving parts), and low cost.