ABSTRACT
This chapter begins with some definitions of terms and units used in connection with viscometry and with definitions of the different types of viscous behavior that industrial fluids exhibit. In modern science and in processing plants, viscosity measurements are used in determining flowability of fluids, concentration, size, and shape of solids in a slurry, molecular weight and its distribution in high molecular weight substances, and color. Many designs of viscometers are available to characterize these properties in a laboratory or in a producing plant environment, or for both. It is important to understand that the apparent viscosity of different materials will depend on the design of the viscometer measuring it. Capillary viscometers utilize the flow of the process liquid through a capillary to measure viscosity. In reviewing the techniques available for measuring fluid viscosity, the viscometers can be grouped based on their intended uses: finished product specification, routine laboratory testing, scientific research study, and inline process control.
