Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids

Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids: Role of surface tension and
viscosity. What is Thixotropy?

Non-Newtonian fluids are extensively used for gas/oil separation in the well by a process called '
Thixotropy' Overall, thixotropy is an extension of non-Newtonian fluid behavior. Thixotropic fluids
can be used in systems where gas and liquids need to be separated. When the fluid is at rest, it
forms a thick gel-like layer that effectively traps gas bubbles, preventing them from rising to the
surface. However, when the system is agitated or sheared, the viscosity decreases, allowing the gas
bubbles to escape and be separated from the liquid phase.
Role of surface tension
Surface tension is the tendency of a liquid to minimize its surface area, which plays a crucial role in
the behavior of fluids. It is a force that acts in the plane of the surface of the liquid, causing liquids
to form droplets and exhibit capillary action.
Role of viscosity
Viscosity, on the other hand, is a measure of a fluid's resistance to deformation or flow. It
determines how easily a fluid can flow and is influenced by factors such as temperature and
pressure. Viscous fluids have a high resistance to flow, while non-viscous fluids flow easily.
In Newtonian fluids, viscosity is constant regardless of the shear rate, while in non-Newtonian
fluids, viscosity changes with the shear rate. This means that the flow properties of non-Newtonian
fluids are more complex and can exhibit behaviors such as shear-thinning, shear-thickening, or
viscoelasticity.
Surface tension and viscosity both play important roles in determining the behavior of fluids,
affecting characteristics such as flow rate, drag force, and stability. For example, high surface
tension can lead to the formation of droplets or bubbles, while high viscosity can result in slower
flow rates and higher resistance to deformation.
In non-Newtonian fluids, the relationship between surface tension, viscosity, and shear rate is more
complex and can result in unique and varied flow behaviors. Understanding the role of surface
tension and viscosity in both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids is crucial for various industrial
processes and applications.
Detail
Image credit: Google

Definition of three key words: Shear stress, strain, and viscosity
Shear stress is the force tangent to a material surface divided by the area on which the force acts.
Shear strain is the angular deformation caused by shear force on the material. The shear strain
increases with a fluid as long as the stress is applied. The viscosity of a fluid is the ratio of the shear
stress, to the rate of change of shear strain.
Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids
In Newtonian fluids, like water, the viscosity of fluids is only affected by temperature. The shear rate
does not affect viscosity in Newtonian fluids.
In non-Newtonian fluids, the viscosity is affected by factors other than temperature. The viscosity of
a non-Newtonian fluid will change due to agitation or pressure-technically known as shear stress.
Those fluids that become less viscous when shaken or stirred are known as shear-thinning fluids.
Shear thinning principle
Applying a shear force breaks hydrogen bonds (or other intermolecular forces in secondary
structures) and allows the molecules to flow past each other more easily. When the force is
removed, the hydrogen bonds between the molecules form again.
Shear thickening principle
Those fluids that become more viscous due to agitation or pressure-technically known as shear
stress are shear thickening fluids. Applying a shear force can cause random coils of a polymer to
unwind and become entangled with each other, raising the viscosity
Examples
Shear-thinning fluids become less viscous under shear stress.
common examples include:
1. Ketchup 2. Shampoo 3. Toothpaste 4. Blood
Shear-thickening fluids, on the other hand, become more viscous under shear stress.
Some common examples include: 1. Cornstarch and water mixture 2. Certain clay suspensions 3.
Custard 4. Silly Putty.
Thixotropy
Thixotropy is a unique property exhibited by certain non-Newtonian fluids, where the viscosity of
the fluid decreases over time when subjected to shear stress, but gradually increases back to its
original viscosity when the stress is removed. This behavior is in stark contrast to the typical
Newtonian fluids, where the viscosity remains constant regardless of the applied stress.
Thixotropy is often observed in materials such as gels, pastes, and certain types of paint. When
these materials are at rest, their viscosity is high, making them appear solid. However, when they
are agitated or sheared, such as when being pumped through a pipeline, the viscosity decreases,
making them flow more easily.
In gas-liquid separation processes, thixotropy can be leveraged to enhance efficiency. For example,
in industries such as oil and gas, thixotropic fluids can be used in systems where gas and liquids
need to be separated. When the fluid is at rest, it forms a thick gel-like layer that effectively traps
gas bubbles, preventing them from rising to the surface.
However, when the system is agitated or sheared, the viscosity decreases, allowing the gas bubbles
to escape and be separated from the liquid phase.

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Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids: Role of surface tension and

viscosity. What is Thixotropy?

Image credit: Google

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