In a flow tube instrument modeled after a structurally simple and easy-to-use bubble viscometer, bubble ascent and liquid flow were examined to evaluate the physically defined viscosity of non-Newtonian liquid foods. For Newtonian and non-Newtonian test liquids, a dimensionless expression between the friction coefficient and Reynolds number, which was derived through analysis as an annular flow of liquid around bubble, indicated that the flow in the instrument was laminar. Prediction organized based on the empirical relation was advanced for evaluation of the non-Newtonian viscosity. The flow tube instrument was expected to be applicable to the conditions in drinking and eating, from a viewpoint of the characteristic shear rate ranging from 10 to 100 s−1.

Through experimental analysis of the liquid flows in a flow channel instrument, prompt evaluation of the physically defined viscosity of non-Newtonian liquid foods was investigated for development into a structurally simple and easy-to-use viscometer. For Newtonian and non-Newtonian test liquids, a relation between the friction coefficient and Reynolds number, which was dimensionless as derived from an expression of analysis as a gravity current, indicated a condition under which the flow in the instrument was laminar and under which an average shear rate was on the order of less than 1 s-1. Prediction organized based on this empirical relation reproduced practically the flow curve determined for the liquid foods using a rotor type viscometer. Utilization of the channel instrument as a viscometer was formulated in terms of physical meanings of measurements such as the flow length and elapsed time.