In factory laboratories, and even at home, sometimes it is necessary to use instruments for measuring the density and viscosity of a liquid. These indicators have a significant impact on production processes. For example, in order to choose a pump with a certain power for pumping petroleum products, you need to know their viscosity. When drilling wells, an accident can occur if the corresponding density of the drilling fluid is not taken into account.
Hydrometer
Hydrometer is a technical device for measuring fluid density. It consists of a glass flask into which a glass tube is placed having a graduated paper scale. The flask is sealed on both sides, so there is a vacuum inside it.
A ballast substance is fixed in the lower part of the flask , which holds it upright when immersed in a liquid. The ballast is usually mercury or lead. Such a device for measuring density, such as a hydrometer, works on the principle based on the law of Archimedes. The pushing force that acts on a body immersed in a liquid is equal to the weight of the liquid in the body volume. A liquid substance having a different density will push the device to the appropriate value, which is fixed on the scale of the device.
How to use a hydrometer
The density measuring device is used not only for technical measurements, but also used for domestic needs. A hydrometer can determine the alcohol content in wine or the sugar concentration in syrup.
The device is easy to operate. It is enough to lower it into a container with a liquid and note the division with which the surface level of the investigated liquid coincides. The principle of operation of the hydrometer is the same in both industrial and domestic conditions. This simple device for measuring density has gained widespread use. It is used in the oil refining, chemical and dairy industries, as well as in medicine and in everyday life.
Electrolyte Density Check
Many motorists are familiar with the self-discharge of the battery, when the electric circuit coming from the generator and providing battery charging is perfectly operational. The problem most likely lies 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 last time the battery was charged. It is necessary to remember the acid contained in the banks of the battery, 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 device for measuring the density of the electrolyte works as follows:
- Press the “pear” and squeeze the air out of the bulb.
- Dip the tip of the device into the electrolyte vertically.
- Release the “pear”, the liquid will enter the hydrometer, and the float will stop at a certain division. This will be the value of the density of the electrolyte.
- Verify the value on the device with the data sheet or tester.
- At a lower value on the hydrometer than in the data sheet, a more saturated electrolyte solution should be added to the bank until the readings of the device increase to the required parameters.
- Close the cap.
- Put the battery on charge.
Repeat all the described steps with the second battery bank. It should be noted that the device for measuring density should show the same values in both banks or differ by no more than 0.01. The density of the electrolyte should always be at a certain level.
Fluid viscosity
In a liquid, the molecules of a substance move with respect to each other under the influence of the external environment. When moving between molecules, friction occurs, which is called the viscosity of the substance. It can be of two types: kinematic and dynamic. Dynamic viscosity determines what the fluid flow is under real conditions, and the kinematic gives the possibility of fluid fluidity at different temperatures and pressures.
To measure the viscosity of a liquid, a device called a viscometer is used. There are a large number of methods and instruments with which you can measure the viscosity of a liquid. The most popular are ball, ultrasonic and rotational types of devices.
Which viscometer to take for measuring the viscosity of a liquid and what method to determine it depends on what type of measurement accuracy and type of test liquid is needed. Correctly measuring the density and viscosity of a liquid means to produce a quality product, to prevent accidents at work.