TABLE OF CONTENT

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Title
Table of content
Abstract / Summary
Introduction
Aims /objective
Theory
Apparatus
Procedure
Result
Calculation
Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendation
References
Appendices

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SUMMARY

Reynolds number is a dimensionless quantity that gives a measure of the ratio of inertial
forces to viscous forces especially in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. The objectives of the

experiment are to study the characteristics of the fluid flow in a pipe, which may be laminar,
transition, or turbulent flow by measuring the Reynolds number and the behavior of the flow,
and to compute the range for the laminar and turbulent flow, and also to justify that the
Reynolds numbers is dimensionless. This experiment is conducted by controlling the inlet
valve for fluid to flow and the dye was injected into the head tank and flow into the
observation tube. The dye pattern was observed to distinguish between laminar, transition,
and turbulent flow. The average flow rate and Reynolds numbers for laminar flow are
19.4 106

numbers are

m
s

and 1878.4 respectively while for transition the average flow and Reynolds

35.0 106

3
6 m
46.0
10
rate is
s

m3
s

and 3028.3 respectively. For turbulent flow, the average flow

and the Reynolds number is 4251.8. From the values that have been

compute, we can conclude that the higher the velocity of fluid will result in higher Reynolds
number.

INTRODUCTION
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Fluid flow can be classified into three types which is laminar, transitional, and turbulent
flow. Laminar flow occurs when the fluid flows in parallel layers, with no mixing between
the layers where the center part of the pipe flow the fastest and the cylinder touching the pipe
isnt moving at all. Turbulent flow occurs when the liquid is moving fast with mixing
between layers. The speed of the fluid at a point is continuously undergoing changes in both
magnitude and direction. Transitional flow is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow, with
turbulence flow in the center of the pipe and laminar flow near the edges of the pipe. Each of
these flows behave in different manners in terms of their frictional energy loss while flowing
and have different equations that predict their behavior.

In order to characterize the flow of fluid in the pipelines, a concept known as Reynolds
number (Re) is introduced by George Gabriel Stokes in 1851 but the equation is named after
Osborne Reynolds which he study the conditions of the fluid flow [1]. Reynolds number is a
dimensionless that gives a measure of the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces especially
in fluid mechanics and heat transfer. Consequently, it quantifies the importance of relations
between these two types of forces at any given flow conditions [2]. Generally, properties of
fluid are included in this definition where density, viscosity, velocity and characteristic length
or dimension is being taken into consideration. This dimension usually interrelated where
radius or diameter is valid only for spheres or circles. For flow in a pipe or sphere where fluid
is flowed the diameter is used. Reynolds number frequently used when performing
dimensional analysis of fluid dynamics and heat transfer problem where it can be used to
determine the dynamic similitude between different experimental cases.

This experiment is to show the critical velocity based on the two modes of flow which
are laminar and turbulent. Reynolds number below 2000 is laminar flow while Reynolds
number higher than 4000 is turbulent flow. In most laminar flow, no critical velocity is found
because theoretically the flow is stable [3]. Critical velocity occurs when the streamlines of
fluid change from straight and parallel to waver and diffused pattern due to increase of
velocity [4]. Reynolds number between 2000 and 4000 is called transition where it is also
known as critical Reynolds number. When velocity is greater than the critical regime, the
3

flow is turbulent where there is irregular motion of fluid particles transverse to the direction
of main flow. The type of flow can be distinguished by observing the pattern of the flow. This
experiment is applied usually in the pipeline where to avoid damaging the pipeline such as to
prevent cavitations and erosions.

OBJECTIVES

To study the physical characteristics of the fluid flow in a pipe, which may be laminar,
transition, or turbulent flow by computing the Reynolds number and the behavior of
the flow

To evaluate the range for the laminar (Re<2100), transition(2100<Re<4100), and

turbulent flow (Re>4100)

To vindicate that the Reynolds number is dimensionless by using the formula:

=

vd

THEORY
The condition of the flow of fluid pipes transitioned from laminar to turbulent flow was studied by
Reynolds. From the experiment, came the dimensionless name Reynolds number in reference [5].

Reynolds number formula :

Re = UD
V

Re = Reynolds Number
U = Fluid velocity (m/s)
D = Glass tube diameter (m)
V = Kinematic viscosity (m/s)
If Re < 2100 the flow is laminar flow
If 2100 < Re < 4000 the flow is transitional flow
If Re > 4000 the flow is turbulent flow
The viscosity of the apparatus also effect the flow of the fluid. If the viscosity is high the flow of
the fluid will become turbulent. However, viscosity is also depends on the temperature. The
laminar flow can be seen in the Osbourne Reynolds experiment because of the dye is injected
into the flow water. The transitional flow is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow with
turbulence in the center of the pipe. The turbulent flow is unsteady flow condition, where the dye
is disappear in the water because of high velocity of the fluid flow. The fluid that flow in the tube
will contain friction factor; there is friction between the wall of the tube and the fluid flow.
Different regimes have different friction factor in reference [6].

APPARATUS
This experiment is carried out using the Osborne Reynolds Demonstration apparatus with a
visualization tube to observe the flow condition by flowing the dye in the water. The water flow
rate is measured using volumetric method where the water in the volumetric tank is measured. The
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control valve, inlet and outlet valves, and dye injector are to determine and obtained the different
required flow. The inflow, outflow and overflow pipes are connected to the hose.
Dye
reservoir
Dye
Injector
Head
Tank

Dye Control Valve

Bell Mouth

Observation
Tube

Overflow Valve

Water Outlet
Valve

Water Inlet Valve

Figure 1 : Unit Assembly of Osborne Reynolds Demonstration

PROCEDURE
1. The dye injector was lowered until it is seen in the glass tube.
2. The water inlet valve was opened and water was allowed to enter the stilling tank.
3. A small overflow spillage through the overflow tube was ensured to maintain a constant
water level.
4. The water was allowed to settle for a few minutes.
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5. The dye control valve, was slowly adjusted until a slow flow with dye injection was
achieved.
6. The water flow was regulated using the inlet valve, and outlet valve until a straight
indentified dye line was achieved indicating the flow was laminar.
7. The volume of water was collected at the outlet of outflow within 10 s, the volume was
recorded.
8. The reading was taken 3 times to take its average value.
9. The experiment was repeated by regulating the water inlet valve and outlet valve, to produce
transitional and turbulent flow.

RESULTS

Flow
Laminar
Transient
Turbulent

Volume (m3)

Time (s)

194
200
220
350
330
310
460
460
470

10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Flow rate

Velocity

Reynolds

(m3/s)
19.4 x 10-6
20.0 x 10-6
22.0 x 10-6
35.0 x 10-6
33.0 x 10-6
31.0 x 10-6
46.0 x 10-6
46.0 x 10-6
47.0 x 10-6

(m/s)
0.1016
0.1047
0.1152
0.1832
0.1728
0.1623
0.2408
0.2408
0.2461

Number (Re)
1780.9
1835.2
2019.2
3211.1
3028.9
2844.8
4220.8
4220.8
4313.7

CALCULATIONS
Area of observation tube, A = 1.91 10-4 m2
Diameter of observation tube, D = 0.0156 m
Kinematic viscosity, = 0.8910-6 m2/s
Reynoldss number: Re = (V D)/
Q = AV, hence the velocity, V = Q/A
Laminar Flow:
V = (19.410-6 m3/s) / (1.9110-4 m2), V=0.1016 m/s
Re = (0.1016 m/s) (0.0156 m) / (0.8910-6 m2 s), Re = 1780.9
Average = (1780.9 + 1835.2 + 2019.2) / 3 = 1878.4
Transitional Flow:
V = (35.010-6 m3/s) / (1.9110-4 m2), V=0.1832 m/s
Re = (0.1832 m/s) (0.0156 m) / (0.8910-6 m2 s), Re = 3211.1
Average = (3211.1 + 3028.9 + 2844.8) / 3 = 3028.3
Turbulence Flow:
V = (46.010-6 m3/s) / (1.9110-4 m2), V=0.2408 m/s
Re = (0.2408 m/s) (0.0156 m) / (0.8910-6 m2 s), Re = 4220.8
Average = (4220.8 + 4220.8 + 4313.7) / 3 = 4251.8
From the calculations, the mean velocity is directly proportional to the flow rate.

DISCUSSION
To determine the average velocity from the measurement, the continuity equation for
incompressible flows were used
U

= Vol / t. Area

= velocity

Vol

= volume of water collected

Area

= cross sectional area of the pipe

= time required to collect the volume of water

To find Re number, Re = uD / = ud / = dimensionless parameter

From the experiment, the flow of liquid can be determined by observing the movement of
injected dye which can be either laminar, transitional or turbulent flow. Laminar flow is fluid
motion in which all the particles in the fluid are moving in a straight line, whereas for
transitional flow the liquid dye is in a straight line at the initial and quite wavy at the end, and
turbulent flow is an irregular flow of particles; characterized by whirlpool-like regions. The
particles of turbulent flow are in a state of chaos and some actually with opposite velocity
vectors to each other. The characteristics of the flow can also be obtained using Reynolds
number;
Laminar flow; Re 2100
Transitional flow; 2100 Re 4000
Turbulent flow; Re 4000
As Reynolds number increase, the inertial force grow relatively larger, and the flow gets
destabilized into full blown turbulence. From the results above, the average Reynolds number
calculated for each flow regime is within the accepted intervals which is for laminar flow is
1874.4, while for transitional flow is 3211.1 and turbulent flow is 4251.8. The Reynolds
number experiment determines the critical Reynolds number at which laminar flow becomes
transitional, and transitional flow becomes turbulent. The advantage of using a critical
Reynolds number instead of a critical velocity, is that the results of the experiment are
applicable to all Newtonian fluid flows in round pipes of all diameters.

CONCLUSION
According to Osborne Reynolds experiment, we will discover the characteristics of
fluids flow by determining whether it is laminar, transition or turbulent by measuring the
Reynolds number and the behavior of the flow through the pipeline. The constant time which
is 10 second been set to collect the fluid at the outlet valve during the experiment and the
overall experiment succeeded in showing the result obtained for laminar flow is 1878.4. For
transition flow, the Reynolds number is 3028.3, while for the turbulent flow the Reynolds
number is 4251.8. Based on the Reynolds theory and Reynolds number obtained, it shows
that the fluid is laminar flow because the Re < 2000. For transition flow, the 2000 < Re <
4000 while for turbulent Re > 4000. It follows the theory of Reynolds number in order to
determine the type of flow. However, there is no unit because Reynolds number is a
dimensionless number. From the observation, for laminar flow, the behavior of the fluid is in
straight line and steady mood. While for the behavior of transition flow is it has the
combination of laminar and turbulent flow. For turbulent, it behave in chaotic and unsteady,in
addition the velocity also high causing it to flow vigorously.

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RECOMMENDATION
1. Use the clean water to observe the pattern easily.
2. Avoid inject too much of the dye into the liquid to prevent the hardest to get the stable
3.
4.
5.
6.

of the fluid.
Place the bright or white paper behind the tube to observe easily.
Repeat several times when collecting the sample to get the best average of the result.
Alert the water level in the tank to make sure the water level above the mouth bell.
Open the pump slowly to prevent the high pressure that will be the water to splash
out.

REFERENCES

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[1]

Retrieved on November 2th, 2015 from

[2]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_number
Retrieved on November 2th, 2015 from

[3]
[4]

http://geophysics.ou.edu/geol1114/notes/running_water/Reynolds_number.html
Spurk, J., & Aksel, N. (2008). Fluid Mechanics: Springer.
Retrieved on November 2th, 2015 from
http://www.pipeflowcalculations.com/pipe-

valve-fitting-flow/flow-in-

[5]

pipes.php
Yunus A.C. and Afshin J.G.,Heat and Mass Transfer, 4th ed., New York,

[6]

NY:McGraw-Hill, pp. 385, (2011)

"Reynolds, Osborne (RNLS863O)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of

[7]

Cambridge.
Hamidon. A, Suhaimi A.B, Junaidah A. Najib A., Turahim A.H (2011).Water
Resources and Engineering Division Faculty of Civil Enginneering, Basic

[8]

hydraulics 2nd Edition. Page 14-17

Yunus A.Cengel,Heat and Mass Transfer,, 3rd ed., New York,NY : Mcgraw-Hill,
pp. 6-5(365-366)(2006)

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