Evaluation of a falling sinker-type viscometer for the measurement of olive oil viscosity at high pressure

C. J. Schaschke*, S. Abid, M. J. Heslop

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution book

Abstract

In this work we evaluate the performance of a high pressure falling body type viscometer. This type of viscometer is used to determine the viscosity of liquids up to 500 MPa and has direct application in the food industry which is increasingly using high pressure to process certain foods. By ensuring laminar flow between the descending sinker under the influence of gravity and the tube wall, an analytical solution to flow can be determined. However, a calibration fluid with a known viscosity profile under high pressure is required to correct the determined viscosity data. In view of the discrepancies, we have examined the flow profile of the oil and sinker during operation through the use of a computational fluid dynamic simulation. We have been able to confirm the presence of complex flow patterns which influence considerably the rate of sinker descent and thus viscosity data.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCHISA 2006 - 17th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering
Number of pages11
Publication statusPublished - 31 Aug 2006
EventCHISA 2006 - 17th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering - Prague, Czech Republic
Duration: 27 Aug 200631 Aug 2006

Publication series

NameCHISA 2006 - 17th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering

Conference

ConferenceCHISA 2006 - 17th International Congress of Chemical and Process Engineering
Country/TerritoryCzech Republic
CityPrague
Period27/08/0631/08/06

Keywords

  • high pressure
  • computational fluid dynamics
  • high pressure effects
  • food preservation
  • vegetable oils
  • falling body type viscometers

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