TOPIC 6: OSBORNE REYNOLDS DEMONSTRATION

6.1 THEORY
The theory is named in honour of Osborne Reynolds, a British engineer who
discovers the variables that can be used as a criterion to distinguish between
laminar and turbulent flow.
The Reynolds number is widely used dimensionless parameters in fluid
mechanics.
Reynolds number formula:
R=
Where;

VL
v

R = Reynolds number
V = Fluid velocity (m/s)
L = characteristic length or diameter (m)
v = Kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

Reynolds number R is independent of pressure, P.

6.2 APPARATUS:
The Osborne Reynolds Demonstration apparatus is equipped with a
visualization tube for students to observe the flow condition. The rock inside the
stilling tank are to calm the inflow water so that there will not be any turbulence to
interfere with the experiment. The water inlet/outlet valve and dye injector are
utilized to generate the required flow.

1
3
5
7

Dye reservoir
Stilling tank
Water inlet valve
Water outlet valve

2
4
6
8

Dye injector
Observation tube
Bell mouth
Overflow tube

6.3 MAINTENANCE AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

1.

Place the unit on a level ground.

2.

Beware with the observation tube.

6.4 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

6.4.1 Experiment 1: Observation of Flow Regimes
Objective
To compute Reynolds number and to observe the laminar, transitional and
turbulent flow.

Procedures
1. The dye injector is lowered until it is seen in the glass tube.
2. The inlet valve is opened and water is allowed to enter the stilling tank.
3. A small overflow spillage through the over flow tube is ensured to
maintain a constant level.
4. The flow control valve is opened fractionally to let water flow through
the visualizing tube.
5. The dye control needle valve is slowly adjusted until a slow flow with
dye injection is achieved.
6. The water inlet and outlet valve are regulated until an identifiable dye
line is achieved. The type of the flow is identified and the picture of
the flow is taken.
7. The flow rate is measured.
8. The experiment is repeated to produce a few different types of flow.
9. The development of different flow in pipe is discussed.

6.4.2 Experiment 2: Loss Coefficient

Objective
To determine the Reynolds number and to determine the upper and lower
critical velocities at transitional flow.

Procedures
1. The dye injector is lowered until it is seen in the glass tube.
2. The inlet valve is opened and water is allowed to enter stilling tank.
3. A small overflow spillage through the over flow tube is ensured to
maintain a constant level.
4. Water is allowed to settle for a few minutes.
5. The flow control valve is opened fractionally to let water flow through
the visualizing tube.
6. The dye control needle valve is slowly adjusted until flow with dye
injection is achieved.
7. Small disturbance or eddied are produced to determine the lower
critical velocity.
8. The experiment is repeated by first introducing a turbulent flow and
produce the laminar flow to determine the upper critical velocity.
9. The findings from the results are summarized.

B) RESULTS, DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION, OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS,

REFERENCES
Name: Mohammad Iskandar Zulkarnain b. Roslan

Matric No. : 42188

7. RESULTS
7.1 Experiment 1: Observation of Flow Regimes
Volume of water:

= 1 x 10-3 m3/s

1L

= 270C

Temperature

Diameter of the observation tube, D = 15.6 x10-3 m

Area of the observation tube, A

2
D
4

= 1.9113 x 10-4 m2

Flow
Laminar
Transition
Turbulent

t1 (s)
119

t2 (s)
80

62
43

60
46

t3 (s)
72
63
47

average

Flow

t (s)

rate, Q

90.33

(m3/s)
1.1070 x

61.67

10-5
1.6216 x

45.33

10-5
2.2059 x
10-5

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Volume flow rate, Q = Volume / time
For laminar flow,
Q

= 1L / 90.33s
= 1.1070 x 10-5 m3/s

OBSERVATIONS

Laminar flow

Transition flow

Turbulent flow

7.2 Experiment 2: Loss Coefficient

Forward (Laminar to Transition to Turbulent)
t1 (s)

t2 (s)

t3 (s)

Flow
Laminar
Transitional
Turbulent

119
62
43

80
60
46

72
63
47

average

Flow

Fluid

Reynold

t (s)

rate, Q

velocity, s number

90.33

(m3/s)
1.1070

V (m/s)
0.05792

1058.02

61.67

x 10-5
1.6216

0.08484

1549.77

45.33

x 10-5
2.2059

0.11541

2108.19

Fluid

Reynold

x 10-5
Backward (Turbulent to Transition to Laminar)

Flow
Turbulent

t1 (s)
44

t2 (s)
46

t3 (s)
47

average

Flow

t (s)

rate, Q

velocity, s number

45.67

(m3/s)
2.1896

V (m/s)
0.11456

x 10-5

2092.67

Transitional
Laminar

64
80

60
72

63
72

62.33

1.6044

0.08394

1533.33

74.67

x 10-5
1.3392

0.07007

1279.97

x 10-5

SAMPLE CALCULATIONS
Kinematic viscosity, v of water at 27oC
1. Forward
Laminar flow:
Velocity, V

Reynolds number, Re

= 8.54 x 10-7 m2/s

= Q/A
= (1.1070 x 10-5) / (1.9113 x 10-4 m2)
= 0.05792 m/s
VD
=
v
=

0.05792 x 15.6E-3
8.54E-7

= 1058.02
2. Backward
Turbulent flow:
Velocity, V

Reynolds number, Re

= Q/A
= (2.1896 x 10-5) / (1.9113 x 10-4 m2)
= 0.11456 m/s
VD
=
v
=

0.11456 x 15.6E-3
8.54E-7

= 2092.67

To determine upper and lower critical velocities,

1. Forward
Lower boundary
V
= Q/A
= [1.6216 x 10-5] / [1.911 x 10-4]
= 0.08484 m/s
Upper boundary
V
= Q/A
= [2.2059 x 10-5] / [1.911 x 10-4]
= 0.11541 m/s
2. Backward
Lower boundary
V
= Q/A
= [1.6044 x 10-5] / [1.911 x 10-4]
= 0.08394 m/s
Upper boundary
V

= Q/A
= [1.3392 x 10-5] / [1.911 x 10-4]
= 0.07007 m/s

Flow
Forward
Backward

Upper boundary (m/s)

0.11541
0.07007

Lower boundary (m/s)

0.08484
0.08394