HPHT Viscometer
High-Pressure High-Temperature Viscometer
PSLs latest product is the High-Pressure High-Temperature Viscometer (HPHT viscometer). With this rotational viscometer the viscosity of shear rate-dependent (newtonian) fluids as well as the viscosity of shear rate independent (non-newtonian) fluids can be measured under pressures of up to 1,500 bar (21,750 psi) and temperatures up to 200 °C (392 °F).
The wide pressure and temperature range of the HPHT viscometer allow the simulation of extreme conditions as they are predominant for example in deep sea deposits. Thus, precise and reliable conclusions can be made for all fluids with a shear rate dependent viscosity, e.g. crudes or drilling fluids.
The rotational method is one of the few methods of viscosity measurement applying not only to non-newtonian fluids, but alos to newtonian fluids. Non-newtonian fluids change their viscosity depending on the shear rate.
The HPHT viscometer consists of the frame assembly with pressure autoclave and pneumatic lifting platform and the Haake Viscotester® VT550. With its dimensions of 45 x 50 cm the HPHT requires only a small footprint. For the autoclaves temperature control a thermostat is provided. To comfortably configure and execute an experiment a PC with pre-installed control and data acquisition software RheoWin® can be provided.
The autoclaves handling is very comfortable due to the integrated lifting platform. A separate sample container is inserted to the autoclave. Thus, the autoclave itself is kept clean. During a measurement the provided second sample container can be cleaned and filled with the prepared sample. The HPHT viscometer requires only a small sample volume of approx. 20 ml.
Via the serial interface the control unit ViscoTemp can be updated with new firmware and thus be adapted to new requirements. For automatic calibration of the ViscoTemp PSL provides a calibration thermometer. A yearly calibration of the ViscoTemp should be executed to correct measuring deviations and reduce maintenance costs.
The Haake® Viscotester VT550 measures the viscosity of fluids and pastes fast, easy and reliable. The results - viscosity, shear stress, shear rate, yield point and operating temperature - are digitally displayed.
Additional measuring sensors, e.g. vane sensors for yield point measurement are available. With the vane sensor you can examine tixotroph media like critical shear force for wax deposition. So the Haake® Viscotester VT550 can be adapted to various applications.
More challenging tasks, e.g. the automatic measuring of flow behavior of non-newtonian substances can be directly executed with pre-defined routines. Via PC, experiment runs can be freely programmed, controlled on-line and be evaluated.
For viscosity measuring the Haake® Viscotester VT550 provides different factory set or adjustable rotational speed steps. The torque measuring with a non-contact, low displacement sensor increases the measurement precision, signal linearity and measuring range.