Using Viscosity Analysis In Different Industries
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By: Andrew Long
Submitted
2010-03-07 20:51:23 |
The behavioral characteristics of fluids vary according to their density, resistance to pressure and molecular composure. Measurement of the viscosity gives one the ability to evaluate different types of fluids and gases as they are exposed to different temperatures and varying degrees of pressure.
Measuring the rheological properties of raw materials may not seem important to the average person who does not deal with the effects of processing and formulation changes but to many industries, performing regular readings of viscosity is a large part of their business.
The automobile industry is a good example of the critical nature of measuring viscosity. Motor oil has a tendency to thin out when heated by a vehicle's engine, changing the molecular properties and as a result, the overall performance of the vehicle. Since it is impossible to keep an engine from heating up and changing the internal friction of the oil, additives, known as polymers, have been created to counter balance the viscosity rates under higher temperatures.
As with motor oil, crude oil coming from different parts of the world need to be measured as it flows through pipelines. The pressure within the lines needs to be regulated in order to keep a certain flow rate consistent. Because crude that comes from the Northern part of Canada flows at a different rate than that pumped from the Persian Gulf, sensors are installed to regularly measure the viscosity of the fluid and control the flow.
Industrial plants that create products for resale need to keep their batches consistent in not only quantity but also being able to duplicate liquids with the exact measurements and quality of previous batches. When we open a jar of peanut butter, we expect it to look precisely as the last jar that was opened. Without measurement of viscosity of all fluid ingredients and the controlled pressure in the manufacturing process, you would be surprised every time you opened that jar of peanut butter.
Viscosity measuring does not only aid our society in the manufacture of different products by taking into account dimensions and flow rate but has also proven to help us live better with nature by being able to measure different aspects of the weather and approaching disasters. For example, geologists are able to determine if conditions are favorable for a volcanic eruption by evaluating the levels of viscosity of magma.
Whether your reason for measuring the viscosity of a liquid is to enhance your production needs in processing metals or plastics by a precision paint coating operation or by using in the solidification of vegetable oil, years and countless experiments have provided the opportunity to utilize viscosity measuring to our advantage in an ever-changing world.
Hundreds of instruments are now available for every type of liquid or gas viscosity measuring situation that could arise with precision, becoming even more technically advanced than the period before.
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Take a look at other relevant information about viscosity analysis products and services at http://www.viscositymeasurement.org/ and also http://www.textureanalyzer.net
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