In factory laboratories, and even at home, it is sometimes necessary to use devices to measure the density and viscosity of a liquid. These indicators have a significant impact on production processes. For example, in order to select a pump with a certain power for pumping oil products, you need to know their viscosity. When drilling wells, an accident can occur if the appropriate density of the drilling fluid is not taken into account.
Hydroometer
Areometer is a technical device for measuring the density of a liquid. It consists of a glass flask into which a glass tube with a paper graduated scale is placed. The flask is sealed on both sides, so there is a vacuum inside it.
A ballast substance is fixed at the bottom of the flask, which keeps it in a vertical position when immersed in liquid. Mercury or lead is usually used as ballast. A device for measuring density, such as a hydrometer, works on a principle based on the law of Archimedes. The buoyant force that acts on a body immersed inliquid equals the weight of the liquid in the volume of the body. A liquid substance with different density will push the device out by the corresponding amount, which is fixed on the scale of the device.
How to use a hydrometer
The density measuring device is not only used for technical measurements, but also used for household needs. A hydrometer can determine the alcohol content of wine or the concentration of sugar in syrup.
The device is easy to operate. It is enough to lower it into a container with liquid and mark the division with which the level of the surface of the liquid under study coincides. The principle of operation of the hydrometer is the same both in industrial and domestic conditions. This simple device for measuring density has become quite widely used. It is used in the oil refining, chemical and dairy industries, as well as in medicine and at home.
Checking electrolyte density
Many car enthusiasts are familiar with the self-discharge of the battery, when the electrical circuit coming from the generator and charging the battery is perfectly functional. The problem, most likely, is hidden in the low density of the electrolyte. It is quite possible to do a density check yourself. The test should begin six hours after the battery was last charged. You must be aware of the acid contained in the battery banks, so you need to work with gloves. Before checking, you should open the plugs on the banks, they are wrapped or tightly inserted into the holes.
The electrolyte density meter works as follows:
- Press the "pear" and force the air out of the flask.
- Dip the tip of the device vertically into the electrolyte.
- Release the "pear", the liquid will enter the hydrometer, and the float will stop at a certain division. This will be the density value of the electrolyte.
- Check the value on the device with the data of the data sheet or tester.
- If the value on the hydrometer is lower than in the data sheet, a more saturated electrolyte solution must be added to the jar until the readings of the device increase to the required parameters.
- Close cap.
- Put the battery on charge.
Repeat all the described actions with the second can of the battery. It should be noted that the density meter must show the same values in both banks or differ by no more than 0.01. The density of the electrolyte must always be at a certain level.
Viscosity of fluid
In a liquid, the molecules of a substance move relative to each other under the influence of the external environment. When moving between molecules, friction occurs, which is called the viscosity of a substance. It is of two types: kinematic and dynamic. Dynamic viscosity determines the flowability of a liquid under real conditions, and kinematic viscosity gives the opportunity to speak about the fluidity of a liquid substance at various temperatures and pressures.
To measure the viscosity of a liquidusing a device called a viscometer. There are a large number of methods and instruments that can be used to measure the viscosity of a liquid. The most popular are ball, ultrasonic and rotary types of devices.
Which viscometer to take to measure the viscosity of a liquid and what method to determine it depends on what measurement accuracy is needed and the type of liquid being studied. Correctly measuring the density and viscosity of a liquid means producing a quality product and preventing production accidents.
