Registration of rheological properties of liquids by electromagnetic levitation

The presented paper is focused on possibilities of research of rheological properties of liquids with use of the device based on the principle of electromagnetic levitation. The device works on the principle of damping of the levitated body vibrations by the liquid. Levitation is ensured by feedback control of the magnetic field using an optical barrier. Vibrations are excited by controlled interruptions of electromagnetic field. Thanks to this principle it is possible to investigate the liquid of non-Newtonian character, as well as liquids susceptible to clinging on spindles of rotational viscometers. The equipment was calibrated using silicate oil standards and its performance was compared with commercially used models of viscometers Anton Paar FRS1600 (viscosity range 3 mPa s–20 Pa s, precision 0.5%, temperature range 300–1600°C) and Brookfield DV-III Ultra (viscosity range 1.4 mPa s–20 Pa s, precision 1%, temperature range 100–1600°C).