1.

0 Introduction
Laminar, transition and turbulent flow are all the important properties of the fluid flow in the
tube or pipe. Turbulent flow is identified as a flow with high disordered fluid motion and
fluctuation of velocity where the shear plane of streamline becomes dispersed. Laminar flow
is identified as a flow with high ordered motion and smooth streamline. Transitional flow is
identified as a flow wave fluctuated between the laminar flow and turbulent flow. Depend on
the flow velocity, geometry, surface temperature and roughness, the transitional flow of the
fluid form laminar to turbulent can be varied. A British engineer, Osborne Reynolds discovers
a variable, which depend on the ratio of inertial force to viscous force, can be utilised as a
criteria to differentiate between laminar flow and turbulent flow, that is, the ratio is known as

VL
R=
Reynoldss Number which is dimensionless. Reynolds Number formula: v , where

R is the Reynolds Number, V is the fluid velocity in m/s, v is the kinematic viscosity in m 2/s,
L is the characteristic length or diameter of the tube. If the Reynolds Number is small, the
viscous force is large enough to reduce the fluctuation of the flow and causing the flow to be
straight, streamlined and ordered motion. Conversely, if the Reynolds number is large, the
inertial forces that corresponding with the density and the velocity of fluid, which are
relatively large as compared to the viscous force will cause the flow to be in disordered
motion due to the viscous force is not able to reduce the fast and random fluctuation of the
flow in fluid. By considering the geometry and flow condition of the fluid, the boundary of
laminar, turbulent and transitional flow in fluid as well as the Reynolds number can be
determined.

2.0 Aim

The aim to carry out this experiment is to calculate Reynolds number (R) and to identify the
type of flow, that is, turbulent, laminar and transitional flow. The conducted experiment also
aimed to determine the upper and lower critical velocities during transitional flow. Moreover,
this experiment is conducted to visualize the flow pattern in a tube and to determine the
boundary of Reynolds number for each flow in the observation tube. The apparatus use for
this experiment is Osborne Reynoldss Demonstration unit. Firstly, by controlling the flow
rate of fluid, the laminar flow is established. Then, by increasing the flow rate slowly, the
flow behaviour of observeddye observes what happened to the dye streak. Record the flow
pattern change and it volumetric flow rate reading. Determine the boundary of Reynolds
number of laminar, transitional and turbulent regime.

3.0 General Description

3.1 Unit Assembly

Dye reservoir

Dye injector

Stilling tank
Bell mouth

Observation tube

Water outlet valve

Water inlet valve Overflow tube

Figure 1 : Unit Assembly of Osborne Reynolds Demonstration

Reynolds Demonstration was designed for students to examine laminar, transition and
turbulent flow. Reynolds demonstration consists of a header tank and flow visualization pipe.
The header tank is installed with a diffuser and stilling materials at the bottom to provide a
constant head of water to be expelled out through a bell mouth entry to the flow visualization
pipe. Control valve was used to regulate the flow through this pipe at the discharge end. The
water flow rate through the pipe can be measured by using the volumetric tank. Therefore,
velocity of the water can be measured to calculate the Reynolds Number. A dye injection
system is located at the top of the header tank to make sure the flow pattern in the pipe can be
visualized.
Above apparatus was setup with a visualization tube to enable students to observe the flow
condition. The pebbles located inside the stilling tank was used for calming the inflow water
to avoid any turbulence to mess up the experiment. To generate the required flow, water
inlet/outlet valve and dye injector were utilized.

4.0 Summary of Theory

Osborne Reynolds, a remarkable British engineer who discovered the variables that used for
identify between laminar and turbulent flow. Reynolds Theory was named after him.

Reynolds number is dimensionless and is widely used in fluid mechanics as parameters.

VL
R
v

Reynolds number formula:

R = Reynolds number

V= Fluid velocity, (m/s)

L= characteristic length or diameter (m)

v= Kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

Pipe Flow Conditions

Re < 2100 Laminar flow

2100<Re<4000- Transitional flow

Re>4000- Turbulent flow

These are the conditions to determine the flow in water flowing in pipe or circular conduits.

Laminar Flow

Laminar flow showed a steady flow condition where all streamlines follow parallel paths, the

shear stress showed no interaction between them. The dye was observed as a solid, straight

and easily recognizable component of flow.

Transitional Flow

Is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow with turbulence located at the center of the pipe,

and laminar flow near the edges. Each of these flows acts in different manners in terms of

their frictional energy loss while flowing, and have different equations that predict their

behaviour.

Turbulent Flow

Turbulent flow showed an unsteady flow condition where streamlines interact causing shear

plane collapse and mixing of the fluid. In the condition the dye observed will become

disperse in the water and mix with the water. The observed dye will not observed as

identifiable at this point.

5.0 Method Summary

5.1 Experiment A:
Objectives: To compute Reynolds number and to detect the laminar, transitional and
turbulent flow.

The dye injector was lowered until it is below the opening of glass tube. The inlet valve was
opened to allow water to enter stilling. To maintain a constant level, a small overflow spillage
through the over flow tube. The water was settled for a few minutes. Then, the flow control
valve was opened fractionally to let water flow through the visualizing tube. Next, the dye
control needle valve was slowly adjusted until a slow flow with dye injection was achieved.
The water inlet and outlet valve was regulated to get a straight identifiable dye line. The flow
will be laminar. Next, the flow rate is measured by using volumetric method. Lastly, the
experiment was repeated by regulating water inlet and outlet valve to produce transitional and
turbulent flow.
5.2 Experiment B:
Objectives: To determine the Reynolds number and determine the upper and lower critical
velocities at transitional flow.

Dye injector was lowered to make sure it was positioned just below the opening of glass
tube. Next, the inlet valve was opened to allow water to enter stilling tank. A small overflow
spillage was ensured through the overflow tube to maintain a constant level. On top of that,
the water was left to settle down for a few minutes then flow control valve was opened
fractionally to allow the water to flow through the visualizing tube. Afterward, the dye
control needle valve was slowly adjusted to reach a slow flow with dye injection. The
procedures were repeated to create laminar flow. The flow rate was steadily and slowly
increased to get small disturbance or eddies from laminar flow. The outcome will be lower
critical velocity. The flow rate was determined by using volumetric result. The experiment
was repeated by getting turbulent flow and the flow rate was slowly decreased until the flow
become transitional. The outcome will be upper critical velocity.

6.0 Experimental Result:

Volume (ml) Time (s) Q (ml/s)

500 45.54 10.97
500 46.1 10.84
500 46.44 10.76
Average 10.86
Laminar Flow
Table 1: Average result of Laminar Flow

Volume (ml) Time (s) Q (ml/s)

500 30.56 16.36
500 30.94 16.16
500 31.29 16.00
Average 16.17
Transition Flow
Table2: Average result of Transition Flow

Volume (ml) Time (s) Q (ml/s)

500 17.31 28.89
500 17.89 27.95
500 17.26 29.00
Average 28.61
Turbulent Flow
Table 3: Average result of Turbulent Flow

Volume (ml) Time (s) Q (ml/s)

500 28.66 17.45
500 29.56 16.91
500 29.57 16.91
Average 17.09
Lower Critical Flow
Table 4: Average result of Lower Critical Flow

Volume (ml) Time (s) Q (ml/s)

500 26.36 18.97
500 26.24 19.05
500 26.48 18.88
Average 18.97
Upper Critical Flow
Table 5: Average result of Upper Critical Flow

Formula

v
Q=
t

Q = flow rate (mL/s)

V = volume of water (mL)

t = time taken (s)

Calculation

Laminar flow:

v
Q=
t

500
Q 1=
45.54
 =10.97 ml/s

500
Q 2=
46.10

= 10.84 ml/s

500
Q 3=
46.44

= 10.76 ml/s

Q 1+Q2+Q 3
Average =
3

10.97+10.84+10.76

3

10.86 ml/ s

The calculation of flow rate, Q is repeated by using the same formula for transition flow,
turbulent flow, lower and upper critical flow.

Formula for Reynolds number:

MeanVelocity x PipeDiameter
Reynolds number=
KinematicViscosity

Therefore,

U xD
Reynolds number=
V

Q
U=
A

Q = Flow rate

A = Area

D = Diameter

Formula for conversion from mL/s to m3/s:

 3 3 3
Q ( )
m
s
=Q
mL

1L

1m
s 1000 mL 1000 L
=5.306 106
m
s

Calculations for conversion and Reynolds number:

Laminar Flow
3 3 3
Q ( )
m
s
=10.86
mL

1L

1m
s 1000 mL 1000 L
=10.86 106
m
s

QD
=
AV

m3 1000 mm 3

=
( 10.86 106
s

1m ( ) )(15.6 mm) =995.95
2 2

(
( 191.13 mm2 ) 0.89 106 m
s ( 1m ) )

1000 mm

Transition Flow

m3 1 m3 m3
Q ( )
s
=16.17
mL

1L

s 1000 mL 1000 L
=16.17 106
s

QD
=
AV
3 3

=
( 16.17 106
m
s

1000 mm
(
1m ) )(15.6 mm) =1482.91
2 2

(
( 191.13 mm2 ) 0.89 106 m
s ( 1m ) )

1000 mm

Turbulent Flow
3 3 3
Q ( )
m
s
=28.61
mL

1L

1m
s 1000 mL 1000 L
=28.61 106
m
s

QD
=
AV
 3 3

=
( 28.61 106
m
s

1000 mm
( 1m ) ) (15.6 mm) =2623.76
2 2

(
( 191.13 mm2 ) 0.89 106 m
s
(
1m ) )
1000 mm

Lower critical Flow

m3 1 m3 m3
Q ( )
s
=17.09
mL

1L

s 1000 mL 1000 L
=17.09 106
s

QD
=
AV
3 3

=
( 17.09 10
6 m
s

1000 mm
( 1m ) )(15.6 mm) =1567.28
2 2

(
( 191.13 mm2 ) 0.89 106 m
s
(
1m ) )
1000 mm

Upper critical flow

3 3 3
Q ( )
m
s
=18.97
mL

1L

1m
s 1000 mL 1000 L
=18.97 106
m
s

QD
=
AV
3 3

=
( 18.97 10
6 m
s

1000 mm
( 1m ) )(15.6 mm) =1739.70
2 2

(
( 191.13 mm2 ) 0.89 106 m
s ( 1m ) )

1000 mm
7.0 Discussion

8.0 Conclusion

8.1 Laminar Flow

Laminar stream happens when a liquid streams in parallel layers with no interruption in

between the layers. The liquid tends to stream without sidelong blending and neighboring

layers slide past each other at low speeds. Laminar flow concept can be applied on the stream

of air over an aircraft wing where a smooth and non-disrupted stream is achieved over the

contour of the wings. The boundary layer is a slight sheet of air setting over the surface of the

wing and to all body of an aircraft. It is known that air has viscosity, so this thin boundary of

air will clutch on the wings. Aerofoil is formed when the layer of thin air flow smoothly over

the streamline as the aircraft moves toward the air.

8.2 Transition Flow

8.3 Turbulent Flow

Turbulent flow demonstrated that fluid undergoes irregular fluctuations. Turbulent flow

occurs when travel in high velocity in a smooth object. It is a flow regime that has continuous

changing in properties where its direction and magnitude is unpredictable. Turbulent flow can

be applicable in artery in human system where the artery has irregular blockage and likely to

cause turbulent when the blood flows in. Another application of turbulent flow is when an

aircraft travels in a mix of warm and cold air in the atmosphere, the flow of air with cause the

aircraft to shake. Movover, another example will be car racing, where race cars unable to

catch up other cars in front of them when fast cornering due to the turbulent air flow created

by the leading cars in its wake.