Non-Newtonian Flow (Capillary Viscometer)
In this experiment a Newtonian, incompressible fluid (typically glycerol of known viscosity) passes through a capillary viscometer (small diameter tube approximately 0.04" in diameter) and the flow rates are measured at various pressure drops. From this data, one can determine the equivalent diameter of this capillary tube. Then an incompressible, non-Newtonian fluid passes through this same capillary tube and flow rates are measured at various pressure drops. From this information, the apparent viscosity, flow consistency index, and flow behavior index are determined for this non-Newtonian fluid.
