Processing the Couette viscometry data of molasses by Tikhonov regularisation

Abstract

This paper highlights a general and reliable technique for converting basic torque-rotational speed for molasses derived from Couette viscometers into true shear stress-shear rate data without a priori assumption of a fluid model. Obtaining the shear rate as a function of shear stress from Couette viscometry data is an inverse problem and is normally 'solved' by assuming a rheological model such as a power law model. An accurate method based on Tikhonov regularisation is developed to solve this inverse problem for the shear rate. The advantages of Tikhonov regularisation are highlighted. The performance of the new method is assessed by applying it to process the Couette data of molasses.