Petroleum 205

Fall Petroleum Engineering Lab I

2015

Viscosity Measurements

Name: Gregory Schindler

Lab Partner name: Cody Wacker

Date performed: September 22nd, 2015

Title:

Viscosity Measurements

Purpose:
The objective of this lab was to measure viscosity using four different
methods common in the industry. We also observed what effects
temperature had on the viscosity of oil, and practiced converting between
kinematic and absolute viscosity.

Procedure:
Viscosity is the measure of a fluids resistance to flow. The terms used for
viscosity are absolute or dynamic (indicating fluids in motion) and kinematic
(absolute viscosity relative to fluid density). Common measurements of
viscosity are reported in absolute viscosity (centipoise), kinematic viscosity
(centistokes), or time of efflux (seconds).

1) The Cannon-Fenske viscometer measures the time of efflux in seconds,

which is then multiplied by the viscometer constant to get the viscosity in
centistokes (cS). Check the size of the viscometers. Refer to the lab
instructions to get the viscometer constants. Be sure to note the type of
crude oil used in the experiment.

Perform two time trials each for the oil in the two different water baths
(each water bath is a different temperature). Also record the
temperatures of the baths and type of oil used.

2) The Saybolt viscometer measures the time of efflux in Saybolt Universal

Seconds (SUS), which is the time required for a 60 cc sample to flow through
a capillary tube at a controlled temperature. The viscometer requires more
than 60 cc of sample; so fill the test cup to the inner brim with sample.
Measure only the time it takes for 60 cc of sample to flow through the
instrument. Usually, viscosity tests using the Saybolt Universal viscometer
are performed at three different temperatures (approximately 100F, 130F,
and 210F), then the results plotted. In our lab, you will measure the
viscosity at one temperature, which the equipment is currently set (be sure
to check the temperature).

Note the type of crude oil used to fill the cup. Allow the sample to heat
up for ~5 minutes.
Pull the plug and record the time it takes for 60 cc of oil to collect in the
bottle.

Repeat the test and record the results in Saybolt Universal Seconds
(SUS).
Use the average time in SUS and calculate kinematic viscosity in
centistokes (cS) using the equation below.
cs = 0.219tSUS (149.7/tSUS)

Also convert to absolute viscosity in centipoise (cp), using the equation

below.
cp = cs *

3) The Brookfield viscometer measures absolute viscosity (cp). Select a

spindle for the Brookfield viscometer. Be sure to note the type of oil used in
the experiment.

Test two fluid samples (distilled water and vegetable oil) for viscosity at
room temperature (record temperature). You may have to try more than
one spindle to get accurate results for the water and the oil.
Determine the fluid viscosities in absolute units and compare the results
for each fluid.
Completely clean the spindle between tests and after the last test.

4) The falling ball viscometer measures kinematic viscosity which is then

converted to absolute viscosity. Use only transparent fluids in the
viscometer ( ASTM oil standard, distilled water). There are two different
sized viscometers for each liquid, so be sure to check the viscometer size.
Refer to the instructions in the lab.

The viscometers have already been prepared: two filled with distilled
water and two with ASTM oil standard. Your group should perform testing
on each size viscometer for each liquid (i.e., four viscometers).
Do two time trials for each viscometer.
Using the average time, determine viscosity for each viscometer using
the equation below.
cp = K(ball - fluid)t
Where is in cp, K is found in the manufacturers information (different K
constant for each different sized viscometer), is in g/cc (density of the
ball is also found in the manufacturers information), and t is in minutes.

Determine the absolute viscosity for each. Compare the viscosities of

distilled water for the two viscometers, and also compare the results for
the two measurements for the ASTM oil standard.

Data and Results:

Table 1 Cannon Fenske Viscometer Data
Type of oil

Monnel

Water Bath 1:
T - temperature
t - time of efflux (show average t)
C - viscometer constant
Oil - kinematic viscosity of oil

78.5 f
159.92 s
.035
5.597 cst

Water Bath 2:
T - temperature

125.0 f

t - time of efflux (show average t)

83.81 s

C - viscometer constant
Oil - kinematic viscosity of oil

.035
2.933 cts

t(cSt/s) = cSt = kinematic viscosity

159.92 s (.035 cSt/s) = 5.597 cSt
Table 2 Saybolt Viscometer Data
Type of oil

Monell

T - temperature

38.0 C

Oil - specific gravity of oil

t - time of efflux (show average time)

.825
42.43 s

Oil - absolute viscosity of oil

4.974 cp

Oil - kinematic viscosity of oil

5.764 cSt

cs = 0.219tSUS (149.7/tSUS)
0.219* 42.43 s (149.7/42.43 s) = 5.764 cSt
cp = cs *

= 0.8629

5.764 cSt * 0.8629 = 4.974 cSt

Table 3 Brookfield Viscometer Data
Water:
00

Spindle size
Spindle speed
Torque

100 RPM
13.3%

Water - absolute viscosity of water

Oil (note type):

0.792 cp
Vegetable
75 f

T temperature
S62

Trial 1:Spindle size (s61, s62, or s63)

Spindle speed

60 RPM

Torque (reading above 10% is okay)

10.8%

Oil absolute viscosity of oil

54.0 cp
S61

Trial 2:Spindle size (s61, s62, or s63)

Spindle speed

50 RPM

Torque (reading above 10% is okay)

55.2%

Oil absolute viscosity of oil

66.4 cp

Table 4 Falling Ball Viscometer Data

ball - ball density

8.02

Water in Viscometer Size 1:

2

Viscometer size
Viscometer constant

3.3

Water - density of water, g/cc

.997296 g/cc

t - time of descent (seconds)

3.08 s

t - time of descent (minutes)

.051 min

Water - absolute viscosity of water, cp

1.18 cp

Water in Viscometer Size 2:

1

Viscometer size
Viscometer constant

.3

Water - density of water, g/cc

.997269 g/cc

t - time of descent (seconds)

32.81 s

t - time of descent (minutes)

.5468 min

Water - absolute viscosity of water, cp

1.15 cp

Table 4 Falling Ball Viscometer Data cont.

Type of oil

Vegetable

Oil in Viscometer Size 2:

2

Viscometer size
Viscometer constant
Oil - density of oil, g/cc

3.3
0.8629 g/cc

t - time of descent (seconds)

69.86 s

t - time of descent (minutes)

1.164 min

Oil - absolute viscosity of oil, cp

27.49 cp

Oil in Viscometer Size 3:

3

Viscometer size
Viscometer constant

35

Oil - density of oil, g/cc

0.8629

t - time of descent (seconds)

7.82 s

t - time of descent (minutes)

.130 min

Oil - absolute viscosity of oil, cp

32.56 cp

cp = K(ball - fluid)t
35 (8.02 g/cc 0.8628 g/cc) * .130 min = 32.56 cp

Discussion:
The first method we used to find viscosity was the Connon-Fenske visometer,
we found the viscosity of the same oil at two different temperatures. This
displayed that temperature has major effect on viscosity. The first trial the oil
was at 78.5 f and the had a kinematic viscosity of 5.597 cSt. The second
trial the oil was at 125 f and had a kinematic viscosity of 2.934 cSt. This
means that as temperature of oil increased the viscosity decreased. There

could have been error in these test with starting and stopping the timer at
the correct time. When using the Saybolt viscometer, we were able to fine
the kinematic viscosity and absolute viscosity. Using this method we found
that that kinematic viscosity of the oil was 5.764 cSt, which was close to the
same viscosity we found for the same oil using the Cannon Fenske
Viscometer. The viscosity using the saybolt method should have been slightly
lower than the Cannon Fenske method, because the oil in the saybolt method
was warmer. There could have been error in measuring time. There was also
a small rubber object lodged in the capillary tube, which could have affected
the time it took for the oil to flow through the tube. Absolute viscosity is the
kinematic viscosity multiplied by the density of the fluid, and because in this
case the density of the oil is less than 1, the absolute viscosity is less than
the kinematic viscosity. The third method we used to find viscosity was the
Brookfield Viscometer. When using this machine it was important to keep the
torque between 10% and 90%, this is because the machine doesnt operate
as accurately at either extreme of it capabilities. When calculating the
absolute viscosity of water we found that it was .792 cp, our results should
have been closer to 1 cp. When finding the absolute viscosity of the
vegetable our first trial showed 54.0cp and the second showed 66.4 cp.
These numbers should have been almost identical, because it was the exact
same oil at the same temperature. Error could have occurred in not having
the spindle centered in the fluid, or there could have been an air bubble
underneath of the spindle. When using the falling ball method we found that
the absolute viscosity of water in our first trial was 1.18 cp and in the second
trial the viscosity was 1.15 cp. The actual absolute viscosity of water is 1 cp,
error could have occurred in running the stop watch. When finding the
absolute viscosity of vegetable oil using the falling ball method our results
were also not completely accurate. In our first trial we found the density was
27.49 cp and in the second trial the density was 32.56 cp. These two
numbers should be the same because it was the same type of oil at the
same temperature. Error most likely happened in stopping and starting the
timer at the correct time.

Conclusion:
This experiment demonstrated the massive affect that temperature has on
the viscosity of a fluid. We found that the higher the temperature of the fluid
the lower the viscosity will be. This is useful information, because if
hydrocarbon in a formation does not flow easily we can try warming the

hydrocarbon up in temperature and make it flow easier. We also learned that

converting between absolute and kinematic viscosity is as simple in taking
the density of the fluid into consideration. The accuracy of these methods of
finding viscosity depend majorly on how accurately a stop watch can be
used.

Questions:
1. For the Cannon Fenske viscometer method, are the viscosities similar for the
oil at the two different temperatures? Briefly explain why or why not.
They are not similar, because the oil flows at a much faster rate when
it is at a warmer temperature. This happens because the as
temperature the force of attraction decreases.
2. For the Saybolt viscometer method, how does the resulting kinematic
viscosity compare to the viscosities measured with the Cannon Fenske
viscometers? Are they similar? If not, are there any potential sources of error
that may have affected either of the methods of measurement?

The results were close to the same viscosity we found using the
Cannon Fenske Viscometer. The viscosity using the saybolt
method should have been slightly lower than the Cannon Fenske
method, because the oil in the saybolt method was warmer.
There could have been error in measuring time. There was also a
small rubber object lodged in the capillary tube, which could
have affected the time it took for the oil to flow through the tube
3. For the Brookfield viscometer method, are the results from the two oil trials
similar? Are the results within the range expected (see Viscosity Chart)?
Our results were different by 12.4 cp, however both results fell within
the expected range.
4. Are the water viscosities similar for the two different sized falling ball
viscometers? Are the oil viscosities similar for the two different sized falling
ball viscometers?
The water viscosities were very similar for the two trials. The oil
viscosities were different by 5.07 cp, which could have been caused by
timing errors