Patent ID: 6196058
Filing Date: 2001-03-06
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A method of measuring the fluid viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid, comprising the steps of:(a) providing a pipe line, the pipe line including a substantially straight pressure measurement flow tube having a substantially uniform inside diameter;(b) developing substantially steady, fully developed, unidirectional, laminar flow upstream of said pressure measurement flow tube;(c) conveying the fluid through the pressure measurement flow tube at a first selected flow rate;(d) minimizing end effects as the fluid exits the pressure measurement flow tube;(e) measuring differential pressure of the fluid between the respective ends of said pressure measurement flow tube;(f) measuring the flow rate of the fluid in said pipe line, either upstream or downstream of said pressure measurement flow tube;(g) repeating steps (b) through (f) with at least a second flow rate;(h) determining power law constants n and k from the flow rate and differential pressure data obtained in steps (b) through (g) at plural flow rates; and(i) calculating viscosity .mu. with the power law constants determined in step (h).