MECHANICAL ENGINEERING 2 – LABORATORY

EXPERIMENT NO. 3

HB 024 OSBORNE REYNOLDS APPARATUS

PREPARED BY: Mapalo, Marcos Carl M.

COURSE/YEAR: BS MECHANICAL ENGINEERING/4TH YEAR

ENGR. ROBERT JAMES LOMOTAN

INSTRUCTOR
 ACTIVITY NO. 3

HB 024 OSBORNE REYNOLDS APPARATUS

OBJECTIVES:
1.) To calculate the Reynolds number and predict precisely the flow of the fluid.
2.) To differentiate between laminar flow and turbulent flow.

THEORY:
This equipment provides laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow as predicted by
Osborne Reynolds. It is to be used with HB100 Hydraulics bench (separately supplied). It
consists of a removable clear acrylic cylinder with an adjustable overflow pipe. Water is
admitted at the bottom of the tank through a diffuser and stilling materials, and it is discharged
via a bell mouth transparent vertical test pipe with a flow control valve at the end. Flow rate is
measured by a measuring cup. A dye injection system is installed on top of the acrylic cylinder
tank and flow patterns in the pipe can be observed against a white background plate.
When the flow is very slow the molecules of the fluid will move in layers parallel to the
pipe wall in the direction of the flow. The molecules at the center of the pipe move much faster
than the molecules near the wall. This state of flow is called Laminar flow. When the flow is
very fast the molecules have an irregular motion in a diffused pattern but in general, in the
direction of flow with nearly the same velocity across the diameter except molecules near the
pipe will move only slightly slower than the molecules near the center of the pipe. This state of
flow is called Turbulent flow. Flows in most cases of engineering study are turbulent flow. Type
of flow may be indicated by a dimensionless quantity called Reynolds Number 𝐑𝐞𝐃
𝛒𝐕𝐃 𝐕𝐃
𝐑𝐞𝐃 = =
𝛍 𝐯

Where:
𝐑𝐞𝐃 = Reynolds number, dimensionless number
𝛒 = Density of the fluid, kg/m3
V = Velocity of fluid, m/s
D = Tube inside diameter, m
𝛍 = Dynamic viscosity, N-s/m2
v = Kinematic viscosity, m2 /s

When ReD ≤ 2,000, the flow is laminar

ReD ≥ 4,000, the flow is turbulent
2,000 ≤ ReD ≤ 4,000, the flow is in transition
 PROCEDURE:

1.) Set the Hydraulics Bench to a level position as per the Hydraulics Bench instruction manual.
2.) Place the HB 024 Osborne Reynolds apparatus on a bench next to the Hydraulics Bench
such that discharge of the apparatus can still be made to the bench measuring tank. This is to
eliminate any disturbance on the stream line due to bench vibrations. Adjust the screws at
the base for a level condition and connect the water supply hose from the bench to the test
equipment.
3.) Adjust the apparatus over flow tube about 5 cm. lower the top head tank.
4.) Connect the Hydraulics Bench water outlet to the test apparatus.
5.) Open the Hydraulics Bench flow control valve slightly to allow only small over flow.
6.) Mix the dye with water and pour the mixture into reservoir.
7.) Put the dye reservoir in place as Fig. 3-1. Adjust the needle to the centre line of the test tube
slightly and protrude into the bell mouth.
8.) Slightly open the test tube flow control valve for a small flow.
9.) Slightly open the dye flow control valve. The objective is to allow the dye velocity at the
needle outlet is of the same velocity as the water entering the test tube so that the dye is a
stream line.
10.) Water flow rate is measured by a stop watch and a graduated beaker placing at the
apparatus discharge.
11.) Observe that the dye remain as a stream line in the test tube. The line may move slightly
side to side but remain as a single line.
12.) Record the water temperature.
13.) Record the flow volume and time per 3.10.
14.) Slightly increase the flow rate and adjust the dye flow rate if necessary, until the stream
line begins to diffuse, which signifies turbulent flow. Record the flow volume and time as
per 3.10.
15.) Slowly decrease the opening of the flow control valve until the flow changes from
turbulent to laminar and measure the flow rate by the measuring cup.
16.) Repeat steps 3.14 and 3.15 many times to obtain a clear transition region.
 DATA SHEET

HB 024 OSBORNE REYNOLDS APPARATUS

Tested by…………….. Date……………

ID = 14mm
Water dynamic viscosity (µ) at ………….. °C………… N*s/m2

No. Volum Time Inlet flow rate Velocit Reynolds Temperature Phenomena
e y Number
t Q
V v ReD
s l/min m3/s ͦC

l m/s

1 .220 5.84 10 0.000167 .749 6,864.47 26 Laminar

2 .360 7.36 10 0.000167 .973 8,917.4 26 Laminar

3 .340 7.10 10 0.000167 .953 8,734.1 26 Laminar

4 .390 7.92 10 0.000167 .9797 8,978.81 26 Laminar

5 .435 8.65 10 0.000167 1.005 9,007.39 25 Turbulent

6 .400 8.26 10 0.000167 .963 8,825.75 26 Turbulent

7 .380 6.54 15 0.00025 1.156 10,594.57 26 Turbulent

8 .450 7.88 15 0.00025 1.136 10,411.27 26 Turbulent

9 .360 5.62 20 0.000333 1.27 11,639.36 26 Turbulent

10 .390 6.41 20 0.000333 1.21 11,089.47 26 Turbulent

11 .340 5.85 20 0.000333 1.156 10,594.57 26 Laminar

12 .500 8.41 20 0.000333 1.183 10,842.02 26 Turbulent

13 .430 7.42 20 0.000333 1.153 10,567.08 26 Turbulent

14 .460 7.31 25 0.03 1.252 11,474.4 26 Laminar

OBSERVATION:

CONCLUSION