1. What is Viscosity of Fluid?

Viscosity of fluid is a measure of its resistance to deformation at a given rate. It quantifies the internal friction of a moving fluid and is crucial in heat exchanger design and fluid dynamics analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \mu \) — Viscosity of fluid (Pa·s)
• \( \Delta m \) — Mass flux (kg/s·m²)
• \( D_e \) — Equivalent diameter (m)
• \( Re \) — Reynolds number (dimensionless)

Explanation: This formula calculates fluid viscosity based on mass flow characteristics and Reynolds number, which represents the ratio of inertial to viscous forces.

3. Importance of Viscosity Calculation

Details: Accurate viscosity calculation is essential for heat exchanger design, fluid flow analysis, pressure drop calculations, and thermal performance optimization in transverse fin heat exchangers.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass flux in kg/s·m², equivalent diameter in meters, and Reynolds number (dimensionless). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is mass flux?
A: Mass flux is the rate of mass flow per unit area, typically measured in kg/s·m².

Q2: How is equivalent diameter defined?
A: Equivalent diameter is the diameter of a circular duct that would have the same pressure drop as the actual non-circular duct.

Q3: What is the typical range for Reynolds number?
A: Reynolds number can range from less than 2000 (laminar flow) to over 4000 (turbulent flow), with transition occurring between these values.

Q4: Why is viscosity important in heat exchangers?
A: Viscosity affects fluid flow patterns, heat transfer coefficients, and pressure drops, all of which are critical for heat exchanger performance.

Q5: What units are used for viscosity?
A: The SI unit is Pascal-second (Pa·s), but centipoise (cP) is also commonly used (1 Pa·s = 1000 cP).