Experiment 1.

1 Reynolds Experiment
Aim: To visually observe laminar and turbulent flow patterns and also to determine critical Reynolds number for transition from laminar to turbulent flow in a circular pipe. Experimental setup: Two tanks with glass wall on the side to see the water level , glass pipe of diameter about .025m connecting the two tanks, internal diameter having bell mouth entry for water, facility for entry of dye at the center of glass tube Tank on left is a constant water level tank having water inlet at its bottom and flow stabilizer in form of wire mesh. Tank on outlet side has an outlet pipe with valve to control the flow rate through the glass tube. Overhead tank to supply water to left side tank and a tank at the base to store used water for recirculation. Procedure: Fill the overhead tank .Open the inlet of the left side tank and allow sufficient time to reach a constant water level. Keep outlet on the right side closed. Water from left will go to right side until the level becomes equal. Now open the outlet valve of RHS tank adjust the flow rate to a high values about .18litres/sec. Adjust the flow rate of dye so that its flow velocity is nearly same as that of water. Observe flow patterns in glass tube. Measure volumetric flow rate using a measuring flask and a stopwatch at RHS tank outlet. Decrease flow rate in small increments and observe flow rate and pattern up to .005 litres /sec. Calculations: Reynolds number = UD/ where, U = flow speed D= diameter of pipe = kinematic viscosity =/ = dynamic viscosity /density of water

Observations: S.no. Volume Collected(ml) 1 500 Time(s) Flow rate(cm3/sec) 22 22.72 Reynolds number 1272.206 2541.611 (Nearly Critical Reynolds number) 5441.59 7078.883 Observations

Linear. Clear straight line of ink observed Linear. Clear straight line of ink observed Slightly cyclic at end of the tube Fully cyclic Turbulent flow observed. Full mixing of ink observed

1000

22.03

45.39

1000

10.29

97.18

4 5

1000 1000

7.91 4.78

126.42 209.20

11714.15

Viscosity of water = .91 centiPoise Diameter of glass tube = 25mm

Laminar Flow

Slightly cyclic

Completely cyclic

Turbulent

Results and inference: As we increase the flow rate Reynolds number increases. At higher Reynolds number tendency of the flow to become turbulent increases. In laminar flow, straight continuous flow of ink in straight path is observed. At intermediate state cyclic patterns in the flow of ink is observed. Transient state is characterized by these cyclic patterns at the end part of tube. Mixing does not happen in transient state, just flow pattern become cyclic. In turbulent condition, flow becomes unstable and the ink gets mixed with the water. Clearly distinguishable lines of ink flow are no more visible. Critical Reynolds number is observed above which flow leaves laminar characteristics. Observation for incense stick: Initially at the point of starting of the smoke, the flow is laminar. Clearly distinguishable stream of smoke is visible up to certain height. Than the flow become unsteady and the straight line path turns to whirly unstable pattern. Finally at even more height the flow totally becomes unstable and the smoke mixes with the air No stream of smoke is visible above that particular height i.e. flow becomes turbulent.