DETERMINATION OF

DENSITY, SPECIFIC
GRAVITY AND
VISCOSITY OF LIQUID
FUELS
 LIQUID FUELS
• Are those combustible or energy-generating
molecules that can be harnessed to create
mechanical energy, usually producing
kinetic energy.
PROPERTIES
OF LIQUID
FUEL
 PROPERTIES OF LIQUID
FUELS
1. DENSITY
• defined as the ratio of the mass of the fuel
to the volume of the fuel at a reference
temperature of 15°C.
• unit of density is kg/m3.
• Useful for determining fuel quantity and
quality
SPECIFIC GRAVITY
 PROPERTIES OF LIQUID
FUELS
2. SPECIFIC GRAVITY
• defined as the ratio of the weight of a given
volume of oil to the weight of the same
volume of water at a given temperature.
• Since specific gravity is a ratio, it has no
units.
• measurement of specific gravity is generally
made by a hydrometer.
• specific gravity can be determined by
dividing the density of the fuel (in units of
pounds per gallon) by the density of water
(8.325 pounds per gallon).
• has an impact on fuel metering, especially
for carburetted engines.
• a lower specific gravity suggests a faster-
burning fuel,
 TOOLS USED TO DETERMINE
DENSITY and SPECIFIC GRAVITY
OF A LIQUID
LABORATORY INSTRUMENTS
A hydrometer is a special device used to
determine the density of liquids. Rather than
measuring the volume in a graduated cylinder
and then needing to weigh the liquid to
determine its mass (and, of course, subtracting
the weight of its container), a hydrometer will
float at a different level within a liquid based on
its density.
Density determination by pycnometer is a very precise
method. It uses a working liquid with well-known density,
such as water. The pycnometer is a glass flask with a
close-fitting ground glass stopper with a capillary hole
through it. This fine hole releases a spare liquid after
closing a top-filled pycnometer and allows for obtaining a
given volume of measured and/or working liquid with a
high accuracy.
PYCNOMETER HYDROMETER
TOOLS USED TO DETERMINE DENSITY
and SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF A LIQUID
 PROPERTIES OF LIQUID
FUELS
3. VISCOSITY
• measure of its internal resistance to flow.
• depends on temperature and decreases as
the temperature increases
• Viscosity is measured in Stokes /
Centistokes.
• measurement of viscosity is made with an
instrument called Viscometer.
• the most important characteristic in the
storage and use of fuel oil.
• It influences the degree of pre-heat required
for handling, storage and satisfactory
atomization.
• If the oil is too viscous, it may become
difficult to pump, hard to light the burner,
and tough to operate.
• Poor atomization may result in the
formation of carbon deposits on the burner
tips or on the walls. Therefore pre-heating is
necessary for proper atomization.
Define viscosity. Viscosity measures a liquid’s
resistance to flow.[1] A fluid with high
viscosity flows very slowly, like honey. A
fluid with low viscosity flows quickly, like
water. The unit for viscosity is a pascal
second
• Define viscosity. Viscosity measures a
liquid’s resistance to flow.[1] A fluid with
high viscosity flows very slowly, like
honey. A fluid with low viscosity flows
quickly, like water. The unit for viscosity is
a pascal second
Define the equation for viscosity. This experiment will
take measurements of a sphere and its passage
through liquid to calculate viscosity. The equation for
viscosity is [2(ps-pl)ga2]/9v where ps is the density of
the sphere, pl is the density of the liquid, g is the
specific gravity of the liquid fuel used, a is the radius of
the sphere, and v is the velocity of the sphere.
Steps how to
determine the
viscosity of a
liquid fuel
 Step 1

• Gather the necessary materials for the experiment. To calculate viscosity of

a liquid, you will need a sphere, a graduated cylinder, a ruler, a stopwatch,
the liquid in question, a scale, and a calculator.
• This experiment has many steps, but when followed correctly, they will allow
you to calculate the viscosity of any liquid.
• The sphere can be a small marble or steel ball. Make sure its diameter is no
greater than half the diameter of the graduate cylinder so it can easily be
dropped into the cylinder.
• A graduated cylinder is a plastic container that has graded markings on the
side that allow you to measure volume.
• You can use a watch instead of a stopwatch, but
your measurements will be more accurate with a
stopwatch.
• The liquid must be clear enough to see the
marble as it’s dropped through the liquid. Try
testing many different liquids with different flow
rates to see how their viscosities differ. Some
common liquids you could try include water,
honey, gasoline, diesel, JP.
 Step 2

•Calculate the density of your chosen sphere. The density of both the sphere and
the liquid are needed to perform the viscosity calculation. The formula for density is
d=m/v, where d is density, m is the mass of the object, and v is the volume of the
object.
•Measure the mass by placing the sphere on a balance. Record the mass in grams
(g).
•Determine the volume of a sphere using the formula V= (4/3) x π x r3, where V is
volume, π is the constant 3.14, and r is the radius of the sphere. You can find the
radius by measuring around the center of the sphere to get its circumference and
then dividing the circumference by 2π.
•You can also find volume by measuring the displacement of water in a graduated
cylinder. Record the initial water level, place the sphere in the water, and record the
new water level. Subtract the initial from the new water level. This number equals
the volume of your sphere in milliliters (mL).
•Calculate density with the formula d=m/v. The unit for density is g/mL.
 Step 3

• Determine the density of the liquid you are measuring. Using the same
density formula from above, you will next calculate the density of the liquid
in question.
• Measure the mass of the liquid by first weighing the empty graduated
cylinder. Pour your liquid into the graduated cylinder and then weigh it
again.
• Subtract the mass of the empty cylinder from that of the cylinder with the
liquid in it to obtain the mass of the liquid in grams (g).
• To find the volume of the liquid, simply determine the amount of liquid you
poured into the graduated cylinder by using the graded markings on the
side of the cylinder. Record the volume in milliliters (mL).
• Use the formula d=m/v and your measurements to calculate the density of
the liquid in g/mL.
 Step 4

• Fill and mark the graduated cylinder. First, fill your graduated cylinder with
the liquid to be measured. Then, mark the positions at the top and bottom of
the cylinder. Slowly pour your experimental liquid into the graduated
cylinder, filling the cylinder about halfway to three-quarters of the way to the
top.
• Draw a mark at the top of the cylinder about 2.5 centimeter (1 in) (1 in) from
the top of the liquid.
• Draw a second mark about 2.5 centimeter (1 in) (1 in) from the bottom of
the graduated cylinder.
• Measure the distance between the top and bottom marks. Place the bottom
of the ruler at the bottom mark and record the distance to the top mark.
 Step 5

• Record the time it takes for the ball to drop between the marks. Drop the
ball into the liquid and start the stopwatch when the bottom of the ball
reaches the mark at the top of the cylinder. When the ball reaches the mark
you made at the bottom of the cylinder, stop the stopwatch.
• Liquids with low viscosities are going to be more difficult to measure with
this method because it will be harder to accurately start and stop the
stopwatch.
• Repeat this step at least three times (the more times you repeat, the more
accurate your measurement will be) and average the three times together.
To find the average, add up the times for each trial and divide by the
number of trials you performed.
• This works best if the ball is small enough that the flow around the ball is
truly viscous and far from turbulent. The ball must also be much smaller
than the container so the ball can be dropped at least 10 ball-radii from the
side walls.
 Step 6

• Calculate the velocity of the sphere. Velocity is a

measurement of distance traveled over elapsed
time to travel that distance. The formula for
velocity is v=d/t where v is velocity, d is distance
traveled, and t is time.
• Using your measurements, plug them into the
equation v=d/t to find the velocity of the sphere.
 Step 7

• Calculate the viscosity of the liquid. Plug the information you have
obtained into the formula for viscosity: viscosity = [2(ps-pl)ga2]/9v
where ps is the density of the sphere, pl is the density of the liquid, g
is acceleration due to gravity (a fixed value of 9.8 m/s2), a is the
radius of the sphere, and v is the velocity of the sphere.
• For example, let’s say the density of your fluid is 1.4 g/mL, the
density of your sphere is 5 g/mL, the radius of the sphere is 0.002
m, and the velocity of the sphere is 0.05 m/s.
• Plugging into the equation: viscosity = [2(5 – 1.4)(9.8)(0.002)^2]/(9 x
0.05) = 0.00062784 Pa s
Prepared by:

Algabre, Arvin Rai B.

Cańabano, Rovic A.