Modernised Design of a Hydrostatic Densimeter for Measuring Density of Highly Viscous Oils

Objectives . The aim of this work is to modernise a VT-KHTI densimeter operated by the method of hydrostatic weighing in order to study the density of highly viscous oils and oil products in the temperature range from 293 K to 473 K at atmospheric pressure. Method . Among the many methods for studying density, the following were used in the course of the study: the constant- and variable-volume piezometer method and the method of hydrostatic weighing. Results . The results of the densimetric study of highly viscous oils obtained from the Republic of Tatarstan in the temperature range from 293 K to 473 K at atmospheric pressure. The following grades are presented: Ashalchinskaya oil (super-viscous, SVO); Kuakbash oil (sulphur), Kichuy oil and Devon oil. Following an analysis and selection of methods for measuring density, a technique for error estimation and densimeter calibration is presented. A calculated expression for the hydrostatic weighing method, derived from the modernised hydrostatic densimeter design for measuring the density of highly viscous oils, is presented. Conclusion . The VT-KHTI densimeter for vacuum working fluids has been modernised and calibrated for research work on measuring the dynamic viscosity coefficient of both Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids.