Determination of Temperature Dependent Coefficient of Viscosity and Surface Tension of Guar gum

Abstract

The present study focuses on investigating the temperature-dependent coefficients of viscosity and surface tension of guar gum, a widely used polysaccharide in various industrial applications. Understanding the rheological behavior of guar gum is crucial for optimizing its performance in applications such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and oil drilling. To determine the temperature-dependent coefficients, a comprehensive experimental approach was adopted. First, guar gum samples were prepared at different concentrations and subjected to a controlled temperature range. The viscosity of each sample was measured using a rotational viscometer, employing varying shear rates and temperatures. The obtained viscosity data were analyzed using well-established mathematical models to extract the temperature-dependent viscosity coefficients. Similarly, surface tension measurements were conducted on guar gum solutions using a pendant drop technique. The solutions were carefully prepared at different temperatures, and pendant drops were formed and analyzed to determine the surface tension values. By plotting the surface tension data against temperature, the temperature-dependent surface tension coefficients were deduced. The results revealed that the viscosity of guar gum decreased with increasing temperature, exhibiting non-Newtonian behavior. The obtained temperature-dependent viscosity coefficients enabled the development of an empirical viscosity model for guar gum solutions. Furthermore, the surface tension of guar gum solutions exhibited a decrease with rising temperature, with surface tension coefficients established to model the temperature dependence accurately. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the rheological properties of guar gum and its behavior under varying temperature conditions. The determined temperature-dependent viscosity and surface tension coefficients provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of processes involving guar gum, assisting in enhancing its performance and efficiency.