A viscometer, also known as viscosimeter is an instrument, which is used to measure the viscosity and flow parameters of a fluid.

It can be used to determine the viscous properties of petroleum products in a defined temperature. It measures viscosity of new & used oils, fuel oil, light petroleum products like jet fuel diesel, etc.; and other petroleum products.

Types

Types are based on their uses. Some of the commonly used in petroleum industry are:

• Falling Ball Viscometer
• Rotational Viscometer
• Glass Capillary Viscometer

Salient Features

• These are available in the form of a calibrated capillary tube through which crude oil or light crude is allowed to pass at a controlled temperature in a specified time period.
• There are various technologies employed by viscometer for its operation.
• There are various installation options for viscometers. They can be handheld or portable meters, benchtop or fixtured instruments; or in-line.
• There are various display options available for these meters. Likewise they can have analog meters, a numeric or alphanumeric digital display or video, etc.
• These also feature temperature compensation, temperature sensing and data storage such as a hard or floppy drive.

Applications

Commonly used in the following areas:

• Mineral oil industry (oils, liquid hydrocarbons)
• Chemical industry (polymer solutions, solvents, resin solutions, etc.)
• Petroleum industry (light crude, machine oil, crude petroleum)
• Cosmetic/Pharmaceutical industry and Petroleum industry (light crude, machine oil, crude petroleum)
• Fuels (petrol, diesel oil, paraffin)
• Paper industry