EXPERIMENT 1

Fluid Flow Regime

(Reynolds Number Apparatus)

Submitted by:

Castro, Ethan Zachary G.

Group 4
INTRODUCTION
Reynolds number is a dimensionless parameter characterized as the ratio of inertial forces to viscous
forces acting on a fluid used to define different flow regimes under various conditions. The Reynolds number is
expressed as
Duρ Equation 1
Re =
μ
where µ is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid, ρ is the density of the fluid, D is the diameter of the pipe,
and u is the average fluid velocity. Whenever this number is less than 2100, the fluid flow is seen to exhibit a
smooth and steady flow (laminar), while if its value exceeds 4000, the flow begins to be unstable and chaotic
(turbulent). If the value is between 2100 and 4000, the fluid being observed is currently undergoing the
transition from laminar to turbulent flow. Generally, fluids flow in two different manners, from the orderly kind
called laminar flow to the more chaotic type of flow termed turbulent flow. Laminar flow or viscous flow
occurs at low fluid velocities. It is characterized by smooth, constant fluid motion. Referring to Figure 1, the
dye does not mix with water and is seems to follow a straight line path without lateral mixing.

Figure 1: Two Main Types of Fluid Flow

On the other hand, turbulent flow occurs in fluids flowing with high velocities which tend to produce
chaotic eddies, vortices and other flow instabilities. The dye mixes with water in completely irregular path.
In this experiment, the Reynolds Number Apparatus was utilized to obtain experimental values for the
parameters involved in computing for the Reynolds Number. The different values for the Reynolds Number
obtained were then related to the behaviour and appearance of the dye-colored water flowing inside the pipe of
the apparatus to be able to confirm the relationship between the Reynolds Number and the type of flow a certain
fluid undergoes.
METHODOLOGY
As aforementioned, the Reynolds Number Apparatus was used in this experiment. The apparatus
consists of a constant head supply tank supplied with water. This tank is provided with a bell mouth outlet to
which a transparent tube is fitted. At the outlet of the tube, a regulating valve is provided. A dye tank containing
coloured dye is fitted above the supply tank. The water flows through the pipe and dye is injected at the center
of the pipe, as seen in Figure 2.
 Figure 2: Reynolds Number Apparatus
The experiment commenced by securing the water supply of the Reynolds Number Apparatus.
Afterwards, green-colored dye was supplied to monitor the flow of the fluid. The discharge valve was then
opened, which allowed the fluid to flow through the hose connected to the valve. Necessary data were then
obtained, which includes the diameter of the inner pipe of the apparatus and the temperature of the dye-colored
water allowed to flow through the pipe. The temperature needed to be taken to be able to determine an accurate
estimate of the density and viscosity of water at the obtained temperature. In the case of the experiment, the
diameter of the inner pipe was measured to be 0.025 meters, and the temperature of the fluid during the
performance of the experiment was 28.5°C, with corresponding density and viscosity values 996.09 kilogram
per cubic meter and 0.827 cP, respectively, both obtained from correlations using Perry’s Chemical Engineering
Handbook.
After obtaining the aforementioned parameters, the volumetric flow rate was determined by collecting
the discharge water from the hose in a 1000-mL graduated cylinder, synchronized with a stopwatch operated by
another individual. The timer is stopped once it reached 10 seconds, or once the water reaches the 1000-mL
mark of the graduated cylinder. The corresponding volume reading from the cylinder, converted to cubic
meters, was then divided by the reading from the timer, in seconds, to obtain the volumetric flow rate. Because,
the diameter of the inner pipe is known, the obtained value may then be divided by the cross-sectional area of
the pipe to obtain the average velocity of fluid flow. Having all necessary parameters, the obtained values were
then substituted to Equation 1 to obtain experimental values for the Reynolds Number. Afterwards, four more
trials were performed, with each trial increasing in volumetric flow rate by gradually increasing the opening of
the discharge valve by turning it in a counter-clockwise direction. This is done in an effort to demonstrate the
appearance and behaviour of water as it undergoes the three general types of flow (laminar, transitional, and
turbulent). The aforementioned procedures in obtaining the necessary variables to compute for the Reynolds
Number were then repeated.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
From the data sheet, it is seen that the first type of flow observed was transitional, with Reynolds
Number approximately equal to 3396. However, when viewed through the apparatus (as shown in Figure 3),
one may observe a straight-line flowing through the inside pipe. This just means that although observing the
appearance of the flow of a given fluid may be crucial in the determination of its fluid flow regime, the method
is not accurate enough to determine exactly where the flow of the fluid should be categorized. In the case of this
trial, one may predict the regime of the flow as laminar, since the flow somehow forms a straight line. However,
when the Reynolds Number was calculated, it was revealed that the flow of the fluid was actually in the
transitional region, where laminar flow gradually becomes turbulent flow. The results, on the other hand, may
still be valid, since flow in the transitional region is known to exhibit properties of both laminar and turbulent
flow. It may show a straight line through the length of the inner pipe of the apparatus, but considering when the
pipe is extended and the flow rate kept constant, there may be a point along the length of the pipe where it will
exhibit an erratic motion, such as in turbulent flow. This trial was the only trial where a smooth flow was
observed. The other trials, on the other hand, were all found to exhibit unstable flow, with the pattern of the dye
being erratic. All of the other trials fall under the turbulent flow regime.

Figure 3: Smooth Transitional Flow

Turbulent flow regime was easily observed since it was characterized by irregular fluctuations and
erratic dye behaviour. One look through the apparatus and it may be already predicted if the flow is turbulent.
To confirm the turbulence of the flow, its Reynolds Number must be greater than a value of 4000. True enough,
all of the trials performed where turbulence were observed all had a Reynolds Number greater than 4000, with
one trial even reaching a value greater than 8000. In turbulent flow, the inertial forces are dominant over the
viscous forces, as compared to laminar flow, which is the opposite. From the definition of inertia, inertial forces
are the forces acting upon the fluid which tends to resist alteration in its state of motion. Meanwhile, viscous
forces are the forces that tend to resist flow in a liquid. In order for the fluid to flow, a force greater than the
fluid’s inertial force must be exerted on it. In turbulent flow, inertial forces are dominant, which explains why
an erratic motion of fluid elements is seen: the forces that tend to change the state of motion of the molecules
are significantly greater than the forces responsible for holding the liquid in its current state of motion. This also
explains why turbulent flow is determined by a very high Reynolds Number, since as mentioned, the Reynolds
Number is the ratio of the inertial forces to the viscous forces acting on the fluid, and if the Reynolds Number is
large (greater than 4000), the inertial forces completely dominate the viscous forces.
Overall, it may be observed that the Reynolds Number of the water flowing through the pipe increases
as its volumetric flow rate increases. This holds since other parameters, which includes the pipe diameter,
density, and viscosity, are all assumed constant. The velocity, which increases with volumetric flow rate, causes
the said increase in the Reynolds Number. With increasing velocity come increasing inertial forces, since the
inertial forces are proportional to ρv2. A higher inertial force would mean a more turbulent flow, while all others
are kept constant. This explains why the Reynolds Number increases with velocity, and why as the velocity
increases, the turbulence of flow increases as well.
It must be noted that in all of the calculations and statements presented, the main assumption is that the
fluid is flowing at steady-state. This assumption may cause minor errors, since in reality, parameters affecting
fluid flow, such as the pressure gradient, the temperature, and others, all vary with time. However, since the
system dealt with may just be considered a small-scale, closed system, the fluid may be considered to flow at
pseudosteady-state, and the errors incurred by assuming that the flow of water is completely steady may be
considered negligible. Another source of error in the experiment would be the inaccuracy in measuring the
parameters, particularly the volumetric flow rate. The limited precision of the graduated cylinder used may have
caused inaccurate volume measurements, which in turn would yield erroneous volumetric flow rates.
CONCLUSIONS
The relationship between the behaviour of flow and its corresponding type of flow was established, and
was further confirmed through the calculation of its Reynolds Number. Each flow regime will exhibit a
characteristic flow pattern, with turbulent flow being the easiest to detect. On the other hand, the Reynolds
Number would be needed to confirm whether an observed smooth flow will fall under laminar or transitional
flow, as in the case of what happened in this experiment (refer to Figure 3). Transitional and turbulent flows
were observed in this experiment, with the transitional flow somehow exhibiting laminar flow, which is still
valid, since transition flow is known to exhibit both laminar and turbulent behavior. The Reynolds Number was
calculated in the experiment to verify under which a certain flow pattern would be categorized: laminar,
transition, or turbulent.
Moreover, the relationship of Reynolds Number and volumetric flow rate, with all other parameters kept
constant, was established. As predicted, the Reynolds Number will increase with increasing flow rate, since
velocity varies directly with flow rate as well. At the end of the experiment, the objectives were successfully
met, since in all trials, the relationships between flow pattern, Reynolds Number, and flow rate was confirmed.