| 5: Discussion |
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6: Conclusion
The theories of viscosity measurement and temperature dependence considered in section 2 of this report have been verified, and the results additionally used to compare the viscometer's performance against that of a commercially available type, the Ferranti-Shirley cone-on-plac viscometer.
The viscometer developed exceeded expectations in some respects. In particular the versatility of microprocessor control in scientific instruments has become more apparent. The precision of the device was not as high as at fust hoped, although considerably better than that of the original viscometer briefly described in the introduction. It is strongly expected that the blame for this shortcoming lies solely with the inadequate spiral spring, and replacement of this item with a more accurate component should result in immediate and substantial improvements in the precision of the instrument.
Some improvements have been invisaged and the potential of the device
demonstrated; it is hoped that these justify further development The instrument
should satisfy the requirement for monitoring bulk viscosity in oxidation
tests, and with the enhancements suggested, perhaps also be of use in many
other applications.
1: Rheological techniques, second edition, by
R. W. Whorlow.
2: M. Reiner and R. Riwlin, (1927) Kolloid
Z, 43 1.
3: WA. Hyman, (1976) Ind. Eng. Chem. Fundasn.
15215-218.
4: G. I. Taylor, (1923) PIll. Trans. Royal
Society A 223 289-293.
5: G. I. Taylor, (1936) Proc. Royal Society
A 157 546-578.
6: Z80 & 8080 Assembly Language Programming,
by Kathe Spracklen.
7: Practical microcomputer programming: The
Z80, by W. 1. Weller.
8: Analysis of straight line data, by Forman
5. Acton.
Thanks are due to the following people for their help: my supervisors
Dr Rochester of the Physics Department and Dr Spikes of the Tribology section,
Departinent of mechanical engineering; Dr Philtipa Cann, Dr Richard Waite,
and the other members of the Tribology lab for their advice and comments
throughout the project; Jack and Paul the lab technicians, for their assistance
with some practical aspects; Chrissy the lab secretary for the administrative
details; Martin in the physics workshop for his work in machining the mechanism
so precisely and gallant attempts to wind a good spiral spring; and my
friend Miss Sheelan Baban for her support and encouragement.
| 5: Discussion |
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