On-line Viscosity Monitoring for Dlows in an Agitator Using Energy Dissipation-based Flow Quantification Techniques

Abstract

Non-Newtonian fluids are often encountered in industrial agitators, and their viscosity values vary spatially because of their nonuniform shear rate distribution. For the monitoring process, viscosity measurements are necessary but cannot be achieved using conventional methods because of wall shear stresses. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the effective viscosity that can represent the flow field. In this study, a system for measuring viscosity for flows in agitators was developed using a wireless torque-sensing and strain gauge. The effective viscosity of a non-Newtonian fluid could be measured as a function of the effective shear rate. The effective viscosity/shear rate results were in good agreement with the viscosity measurement data obtained using a rheometer for up to 56%.