Newtonian or Non-Newtonian fluid?

In summary, when calculating the pressure drop rate across a valve for a mixture of a non-soluble polymer melt dispersed in water, the correct approach would be to use a non-Newtonian formula that takes into account the presence of water and the non-Newtonian behavior of the polymer melt.
  • #1
abhipatel
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I would like to calculate pressure drop rate across a valve,...

Material is a "non-soluble" polymer melt dispersed in water...When the solution is released at high temperature from a valve I would like to calculate pressure drop rate...

Question is should we be using non-Newtonian formula (as polymer melt behaves as non-Newtonian) or Newtonian formula (as water is involved)?

Water is infact released in form of water and vapour along with the polymer melt..Potentially water is the driving force behind driving the melt across the valve and the so called mixture would behave Newtonian?

Please assist and let me know which would be the scientifically correct way!
 
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  • #2
The correct way to calculate the pressure drop rate across a valve would be to use a non-Newtonian formula, as the polymer melt does not behave as a Newtonian fluid. The presence of the water and vapour should be taken into account when calculating the pressure drop rate. You should also consider the viscosity of the mixture, which will depend on the specific composition of the mixture.
 

1. What is the difference between Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids?

The main difference between Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids is the way they respond to applied forces. Newtonian fluids have a constant viscosity, meaning they flow at a consistent rate regardless of the amount of force applied. Non-Newtonian fluids, on the other hand, have a variable viscosity and their flow rate changes depending on the amount of force applied.

2. What is the significance of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids in real-world applications?

Understanding the behavior of Newtonian and Non-Newtonian fluids is crucial in many industries, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and oil extraction. For example, the consistency of food products like ketchup and mayonnaise is affected by their non-Newtonian properties. In the oil industry, drilling fluids are designed to have non-Newtonian behavior to efficiently extract oil from the ground.

3. How do you determine if a fluid is Newtonian or Non-Newtonian?

The simplest way to determine if a fluid is Newtonian or Non-Newtonian is by measuring its viscosity. If the viscosity remains constant regardless of the applied force, the fluid is Newtonian. If the viscosity changes with the applied force, the fluid is Non-Newtonian. Other methods, such as shear stress and shear rate measurements, can also be used to determine a fluid's behavior.

4. Can a fluid exhibit both Newtonian and Non-Newtonian behavior?

Yes, a fluid can exhibit both Newtonian and Non-Newtonian behavior, depending on the conditions. For example, some fluids may behave like a Newtonian fluid at low shear rates but show Non-Newtonian behavior at high shear rates. This is known as a shear thinning or shear thickening fluid. The opposite can also occur, where a fluid behaves like a Non-Newtonian fluid at low shear rates but shows Newtonian behavior at high shear rates.

5. How can the behavior of Non-Newtonian fluids be described or classified?

The behavior of Non-Newtonian fluids can be classified into different categories based on their response to applied forces. Some common categories include shear thinning (viscosity decreases with increasing shear rate), shear thickening (viscosity increases with increasing shear rate), and Bingham plastic (requires a certain amount of force to begin flowing). There are also more complex behavior models, such as power-law and Herschel-Bulkley, that can describe the behavior of Non-Newtonian fluids more accurately.

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