COVENANT UNIVERSITY

CANAANLAND, OTA

PETROLEUM ENGINEERING LABORATORY II

EXPERIMENT 2
LIQUID VISCOSITY MEASUREMENT USING CAPILLARY TYPE
VISCOMETER

BY

UDUAK ABIGAIL INEMESIT (MATRIC NO.19CN026189)

GROUP 3

SUBMITTED TO

THE DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING,

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING,
COVENANT UNIVERSITY

Date performed: 10-04-2024

Date submitted: 17-04-2024

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 ABSTRACT
This report contains the details of an experiment conducted in order to determine the kinetic and
dynamic viscosities of four fluid samples (diesel, oil condensate, crude oil and used engine oil)
in the laboratory. The method used in this report is the capillary method. For this experiment,
capillary tube viscometer and stopwatch was used to determine the viscosities of each fluid
sample. As each fluid sample was poured into the viscometer and the time was recorded for the
fluid sample to get to the lower mark of the bulb. The data was recorded in a tabular form. The
experiment demonstrates that each fluid's ability to flow at a given temperature, while having a
limited range of densities. In this report, we would be analyzing the viscosities of different fluids,
the procedures involved in conducting this experiment and the result gotten at the end of the
experiment.

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 TABLE OF CONTENT

ABSTRACT..........................................................................................................................................
TABLE OF CONTENT.............................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................................
CHAPTER TWO: RELEVANCE TO COURSE OF STUDY....................................................................................
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT AND DISCUSSION OF THE EXPERIMENT.............................................................
RESULTS................................................................................................................................................................
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION............................................................................................................................
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................................

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 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
The viscosity of a fluid is a measure of its resistance to flow at a given rate and it is the ratio of
shear stress to shear rate. Rheological properties govern specific ways that deformation or flow
behaviors occur and viscosity is one of the rheological properties of drilling fluid.
Thickness and viscosity are directly proportional meaning a fluid with high viscosity is thicker
than that with a lower viscosity. The unit of viscosity is Poise, equivalent to dyne-sec/cm2. One
poise represents a high viscosity so 1/100 poise, or one centipoise (cP), is used for mud
measurements.

Dynamic viscosity, often denoted by the symbol μ, measures a fluid's resistance to flow under an
applied force or stress. It quantifies how easily molecules within the fluid move past each other.
The unit of dynamic viscosity is the Pascal-second (Pa·s).
Kinematic viscosity, denoted by ν, represents the dynamic viscosity of a fluid per unit density. It
characterizes a fluid's resistance to flow relative to its density. The unit of kinematic viscosity is
typically expressed as square meters per second (m²/s) in the SI system or stokes (St) in the CGS
system.

Pressure and temperature affect the viscosity of fluids. For some fluids the viscosity is affected
by temperature and not pressure except the pressure is extremely high. Although water is an
exemption to this, viscosity decreases with increasing pressure at constant temperature.
Temperature has different effect on viscosity of liquids and gases. A decrease in temperature
causes the viscosity of a liquid to rise.
There are different types of viscometer used;
1. Capillary type viscometer
2. Falling ball viscometer
3. Rotational viscometer

Aim: The aim of this experiment is to measure the kinematic and the dynamic viscosities of
different fluids all at room temperature (20oC). In this experiment, the viscometer method was

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chosen, with a capillary tube viscometer used as the primary apparatus for conducting the
experiment.

CHAPTER TWO: RELEVANCE TO COURSE OF STUDY

Fluid behavior to flow in various petroleum engineering operations such as drilling, production,
transportation, and refining is greatly influenced by viscosity. Viscosity plays a crucial role in
ensuring the efficient and safe extraction, processing, and transportation of hydrocarbon fluids.
Understanding of viscosity is very important for planning and optimizing these activities.

Capillary type viscometers are widely utilized in petroleum engineering for viscosity
measurement due to their simplicity, affordability, and versatility in measuring a wide range of
viscosities. These viscometers operate by observing the flow of a liquid through a small
capillary tube under controlled conditions to gather data.

Capillary viscometer is important in characterizing drilling fluids. Control of fluid rheology is

essential throughout drilling operations to minimize frictional losses and ensure efficient cuttings
removal. Engineers utilize viscosity measurements obtained from capillary viscometers to select
and formulate drilling fluids tailored to specific wellbore conditions, assessing the fluid's
resistance to flow. It can also help in the assessment of crude oil and petroleum products.
Viscosity is a fundamental property that influences the flow of crude oil in storage tanks,
pipelines, and refinery processes.

The research and measurement of liquid viscosity using capillary type viscometers greatly
benefit petroleum engineering. Engineers can accurately define the rheological properties of
drilling fluids, evaluate the effectiveness of different additives, and assess crude oil and
petroleum products.

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 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS
The following were the apparatus and materials used in determining the viscosity of different
fluids in the laboratory.
1. Capillary tube Viscometer:
Capillary tube viscometer is used for measuring the viscosity of a fluid in a laboratory. Pressure
is required to force the fluid to flow through the narrow tube and is measured at a specific rate.
Each capillary tube has its own constant depending on the size of the tube.

Fig 2.1 Capillary tube viscometer.

2. Sucker:

The sucker is used to move fluids above the desired level in the capillary tube viscometer.

Fig 2.2 Sucker

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3. Stop watch:
A stopwatch is a timepiece designed to measure the time interval of an experiment.

Fig 2.3 Stopwatch

4. Funnel:
The funnel is used to carefully transfer the fluid sample into the capillary tube viscometer, to
prevent the samples from spilling.

fig 2.4 funnel.

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5. Acetone:
Acetone is a flammable, colorless and volatile liquid that can be used as an extracting solvent,
degreasing agent or cleaner where it enhances the drying time of an equipment.

Fig 2.5 Acetone

6. Fluid samples:
The viscosity of the following fluid samples was determined in the laboratory.
i. Oil Condensate

Figure 2.6- Oil Condensate

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 ii. Crude Oil

Figure 2.7- Crude Oil

iii. Engine Oil.

Figure 2.8- Engine Oil.

iv. Diesel

Fig 2.9 Diesel

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 7. Soap: Soap was used to wash out the residual samples left in the viscometer so that
the experiment can be carried out with a new sample.

PROCEDURE OF THE EXPERIMENT

1. Take a viscometer that has been thoroughly cleaned (washed and dried with acetone). Its
range should be able to hold the fluid samples' estimated viscosity.
2. Pour the crude oil into the viscometer using a funnel, fill it up to the desired level.
3. Remove air from the sucker and place it on the viscometer to raise the level of crude oil
to the required mark above the bulb.
4. Ensure the other hole is tightly covered with your thumb to prevent the fluid level from
dropping beyond the mark.
5. Remove the sucker from the viscometer carefully.
6. Set the stopwatch
7. Start the stopwatch immediately after your thumb is removed from the hole
8. Stop the stopwatch immediately it reaches the lower mark below the bulb.
9. Record your time and repeat the process to ensure the result is valid.
10. Repeat steps 2 – 9 for the oil condensate, diesel and engine oil. Wash the viscometer with
soap and dry with acetone before putting a new sample inside.

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 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULT AND DISCUSSION OF THE
EXPERIMENT
RESULTS
Table 1: The kinematic and dynamic viscosities of the different fluid samples.
Sample Constant Time (s) Hagenbac Kinematic Density, Dynamic
C h factor, ϑ Viscosity, ρ Viscosity, µ
(cSt/s) ʋ (g/cm3) (cp)
Crude Oil 1.2 3.54 0.25 3.948 0.84 3.316

Oil 1.2 2.03 0.5 1.836 0.8 1.468

condensat
e
Engine Oil 1.2 154.28 0.75 184.236 0.88 162.128

Diesel 1.2 5.13 0.7 5.316 0.815 4.333

µavg = 42.81cp

Capillary tube viscometer = 400ml

Formulas used:
υ = C(t −ϑ)

Kinematic viscosity
Crude oil: υ = C(t −ϑ)
1.2(3.54-0.25) = 3.948

Oil condensate: υ = C(t −ϑ)

1.2(2.03-0.5) = 1.836

Engine oil: υ = C(t −ϑ)

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 1.2(154.28-0.75) = 184.236

Diesel: υ = C(t −ϑ)

1.2(5.13-0.7) = 5.316

Dynamic Viscosity
µ = ρavrυ

Crude oil: υ = µ = ρavrυ

0.84 x 3.948 = 3.316

Oil condensate: µ = ρavrυ

0.8x 1.836= 1.468

Engine oil: µ = ρavrυ

0.88 x 184.236= 162.128

Diesel: µ = ρavrυ
0.815 x 5.316= 4.333

PRECAUTIONS

● I adhered to all safety rules and regulations of using the laboratory (appropriate clothing,

i.e. lab coat).

● I ensured was the air was removed from the sucker before placing it on the viscometer.

● All apparatus (viscometer) was clean and dry before conducting the experiment.

● I ensured my viscometer was free from air bubbles.

● I avoided error when measuring time from my stopwatch.

● I ensured the viscometer was held in a stable position.

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OBSERVATION
● I observed that oil condensate has the lowest time hence it is a low viscous fluid.

● I observed engine oil had the highest time hence it is very viscous.

DISCUSSION
The apparatus should be carefully washed and cleaned before any after the use so to prevent
errors when taking readings. Also, the capillary tube viscometer should be properly dried (water
or residual fluid samples should not be inside the bottle) because it can alter the readings.
From the experiment conducted, I observed that it took a longer time for the engine oil to flow to
the lower mark of the viscometer bulb indicating that engine oil is a very viscous fluid having the
highest kinematic and dynamic viscosities values. Also, it took oil condensate the shortest time
oil to flow to the lower mark of the viscometer bulb indicating that oil condensate is the least
viscous fluids among the samples having the lowest kinematic and dynamic viscosities values.

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 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION
At the end of the experiment, the aim was achieved which was to determine the kinematic and
dynamic viscosities of four various samples which includes; diesel, oil condensate, crude oil, and
engine oil.
From the results gotten at the end of the experiment, engine oil is the most viscous fluid out of
the 4 samples and oil condensate is the least viscous fluid.
I can conclude that the capillary method, which measures the time of reservoir fluids, and the
time is used to calculate the dynamic and kinematic viscosity of different fluids. It is an accurate
approach that assures an accuracy level of the viscosities of different fluid samples. The capillary
method is therefore a reliable laboratory method for determining the kinematic and dynamic
viscosities of different reservoir fluids.

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 REFERENCES
● Hossein, A. (2014). Reservoir Fluid Laboratory Course. Retrieved from Slide Share:
https://www.slideshare.net/alaminia/q923rfll03
● Torsæter, O., & Abtahi, M. (2000). Experimental Reservoir Engineering Laboratory
Work Book.
● Briggs, B. N., Soltys, M. A., & Forbes, M. H. (2011). Tech engineering. Retrieved from
https://www.teachengineering.org/lessons/view/cub_surg_lesson03
● Chemical Engineers Handbook, 6th edition. (1984). In R. H. Perry, & D. Green. New
york: McGraw-Hill.

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