Temperature Deviation of a Non-Newtonian Fluid
from Rheologically Pre-Calculated Temperature
Variations
Noah Burdick1 and Gregory A. Campbell2
Department of Chemical Engineering
Introduction:
When presented with a problem dealing with the heat transfer incurred by a non-Newtonian fluid being
pumped through a single-screw extruder, most, if not all engineers will use numerical methods based off
the fluid’s rheology and various mechanical assumptions to solve for the energy change [1]. However, it
has been brought to the attention of a Clarkson professor that such yields an answer not necessarily the
absolute truth and the answers provided by said calculations are highly questionable, if not entirely
inaccurate.
This study deals with that question, comparing the measured temperature change of a non-Newtonian,
pseudo-plastic fluid flowing through a single-screw extruder to the expected temperature change for said
fluid calculated by various numerical methods.
Materials:
The pseudo-plastic, non-Newtonian fluid used was a suspension of xanthan gum, specifically Rhodigel®
80 from Rhodia Foods, and distilled water.
Experimental:
Varying concentrations of xanthan gum in suspension have been evaluated at room temperature (from
20°C to 25°C depending on the day). Temperature losses/gains gathered from the xanthan evaluation will
be compared with the gains/losses predicted by numerical methods such as those developed by Jaluria and
Lin [1] and Jaluria, et al. [2].
References:
[1]
Jaluria, Y. and P. Lin. Conjugate thermal transport in the channel of an extruder for nonNewtonian fluids. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 41 (1998) 3239-3253.
[2]
Jaluria, Y., et al. A numerical and experimental study of three dimensional transport in the
channel of an extruder for polymeric materials. Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer 38-11 (1995)
1957-1973.
1
Class of 2005, Chemical Engineering Department, Clarkson University, Honors Program, Mentor-
Gregory A. Campbell, Poster Presentation
2
Professor, Chemical Engineering Department, Clarkson University