What products are involved?
SRV and SRD sensors.

What is the purpose of this article?
To explain how Rheonics SR- sensors behave with the most common fluid types and give installation recommendations for each case from a theoretical perspective.

Introduction

Rheonics offers two types of SR probes, the SRV inline viscometer and SRD inline density and viscosity meter. Learn more about each sensor on the Rheonics product page and support articles here. 

Before describing the performances of the SRV and SRD in different types of fluids, two categories of fluids must be mentioned that are encountered whenever viscosity measurements come into play - these are Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids. Rheonics has a lot of information that defines each of these fluid types on the web, like this Blog. 

For a Newtonian fluid, viscosity does not change when a force is applied, so static and moving conditions show the same viscosity readings. Other conditions may change the viscosity of these fluids, like differences in temperature. 

For a non-Newtonian fluid, measured viscosity depends on the shear rate with which the measurement is conducted. There are many types of non-Newtonian fluids but what they have in common is that their viscosities can’t be associated with a particular value for different measuring instruments, since often, the shear rate at which the measurement is done differ between different measuring technologies. 

Density measurements, on the other hand, shouldn’t be affected by Newtonian or non-Newtonian behavior of fluids.

Majority of fluids encountered in industrial processes are non-Newtonian so when using an inline viscometer, the operational conditions should be considered. Rheonics ensures the repeatability of readings at the same conditions which is ultimately the most important factor in process control. 

Rheonics SR-Type Sensors Installation Criterias

For any installation of the SRV Viscometer and SRD Density meter and Viscometer, user should:

1. Immerse the sensor probe enough so the sensing element is in contact with the fluid (see figure below) and avoid dead zones or stagnation zones.
2. Consider a clearance from the tip to any obstruction (e.g. pipe inner wall), 5mm is required for the SRV and 12mm for the SRD.

Figure 1: Installation criterias for the SRV and SRD sensors.

With previous considerations clear, we can now review different kinds of fluids and conditions, and give some considerations and recommendations for them. The scenarios covered in this article are:

• 1. Static Conditions
• 2. Moving Fluids
• 3. Bubbly Flows
• 4. Solid Particles
• 5. Deposits
• 6. Fluids with Yield Stress

1. Static Conditions

We will define static conditions as no flow in the fluid. This is usually how most laboratory instruments operate. 

For Newtonian fluids, viscosity will be the same if measured in a beaker,  where fluid is static, or inline in a process, where it could be moving at varying rates.

For non-Newtonian fluids, viscosity measurements of static fluid will be different than measurements of the same fluid under different flow rates. This is due to different imposed shear rates from flow. as well as structure disruption due to flow of a structured fluid.
If a static test is required, the user should : 

        1. Clamp the sensor so it is firmly fixed avoiding any motion of the probe in the fluid.

        2. If water measurement is required, the vessel should be pressurized to avoid any bubbles in the fluid. 

            Bubbles settling on the sensing element should be always avoided as it will disrupt the measurement. 

        3. Recommended test/reference fluids are alcohols, solvents, or oils.

        4.Consider that high-temperature tests will require a temperature control chamber.          

Figure 2: Static measurements setup.

2. Moving Fluids

In this case, the sensor is installed in a process line or mixing tank. The SRV and SRD are unaffected by possible vibrations in the installation, but flow rate plays a role in viscosity measurements for most fluids.

Figure 3: Installation flowing fluids.

3. Bubbly Flows

Fluids with entrained air or bubbles are frequent. SRV and SRD behave differently towards bubbles, so let’s study them separately.

	General points	Installation instructions
SRV inline viscometer	The SRV measures what is in contact with its wetted surface. At static conditions, bubbles will concentrate on the sensor’s surface thus affecting the readings, usually with increments in viscosity even though the fluid is not changing. This is due to the bubbles creating additional damping on the resonator surface. In moving conditions, bubbles will be sheared off. SRV will mostly sense the fluid and measurements are not affected. Bubble percentage and size generally do not affect measurements in a moving fluid.	Avoid stagnation zones to eliminate the possibility of bubbles accumulating around the sensing element. Keep the sensing element fully submerged.  High points in the pipeline may have accumulated air, avoid installation in those zones.
	Figure 4: SRV installation in bubbly fluid.
SRD inline density and viscosity meter	SRD induces a flow while vibrating torsionally, this is needed to measure density. Bubbles affect then the density and viscosity readings for the SRD. In most cases, viscosity increases and density decreases with bubbles. The variation depends on the bubbles percentage, size and movement	Try to install the SRD where there are no, or minimal bubbles. Pressurizing the line is useful to remove bubbles. Filters can be used in sensor electronics to reduce the noise in measurement due to bubbles in SRD’s readings. SRD has successfully been used in bubbly fluids, so tests are always worth doing.

4. Solid Particles

The behavior of SR sensors in fluids with solid particles will depend on the size of these particles.

Figure 5: Fluids with solids.

5. Deposits

In biological or chemical processes, deposits may form at the inner wall of pipes or reactors, these are layers or coatings on surfaces. If this is the case, there is a good chance that the same will occur on the sensing element. Deposits on the sensing element can affect the readings under some circumstances. 

A good indicator is the fluid length scale, if the deposit is of similar or larger thickness than the fluid length scale it is likely going to interfere with the measurement. In case it is significantly below, the measurements won’t be affected. This is dependent on the type of the deposit, the thickness of the deposit as well as the viscosity of the fluid.

The SRV is capable of detecting solid deposits on the sensing element. Thus, it can be monitored when the a deposit deposit appears, and if it has been removed during the cleaning process.

The SRD cannot detect deposits. In case one is present, it may distort both the viscosity and density reading. The only way to check if it is clean is visually, or when it is dry in the air. Deposits in the SRD then need to be removed with proper cleaning. The client should define how often the sensor should be cleaned since fouling or buildup depends on the fluid and installation. Follow this article on how to clean the sensor probe.

Figure 6: Installation for fluids prone to solid deposits.

6. Fluids with Yield Stress

A fluid with yield stress is a type of non-Newtonian fluid. A fluid with yield stress is a fluid that requires a certain amount of shear to flow. Well-known examples are Ketchup and paint. For both fluids, yield stress is key for their final application and so this is a desired property for some fluids.

Figure 7: Installation for fluids with yield stress.