Summary:

The main objective of this experiment was to manifold the classical experiments conducted by
Professor Osborne Reynolds concerning fluid flow condition. Flows are of different types. They
are: laminar, turbulent and transitional. The behavior of a fluid, particularly with regard to
energy loss, is quite dependent on whether the flow is laminar or turbulent. For this reason, we
want to have a means of predicting the type of flow without actually observing it. It can be
shown experimentally and verified analytically that the character of a flow in a round pipe
depends on four variables: fluid density , fluid viscosity , pipe diameter D, and average
velocity of flow v. Osborne Reynolds was the first to demonstrate that laminar or turbulent flow
can be predicted if the magnitude of a dimensionless number, now called the Reynolds number is
known. It is actually the ratio of the inertia force on the element of fluid to the viscous force. The
inertia force is developed from Newtons second law of motion. On the other hand, the viscous
force is related to the product of the shear stress times area. Flows having large Reynolds
numbers, typically because of high velocity or low viscosity, tend to be turbulent. Those fluids
having high viscosity or moving at low velocities will have low Reynolds numbers and will tend
to be laminar. For practical applications in pipe flow we find that if the Reynolds number for the
flow is less than 2000, the flow will be laminar. Also, if the Reynolds number is greater than
4000, the flow can be assumed to be turbulent. In the range of Reynolds numbers between 2000
and 4000, it is impossible to predict which type of flow exists; therefore this range is called the
critical or transitional region. In this experiment, using Reynolds apparatus a vegetable dye is
flown through at different velocity which is of almost same density and concentration as that of
the fluid. In steady flow condition fluid flow rates was observed through a visualization pipe and
a valve at the discharge end was used to control the flow. The visual flow conditions were
observed for various flow rates in steady flow condition. And from collected data Reynolds
Number was calculated using the Reynolds Number equation. Reynolds number was found to be
varied from 141.8 to 4884.84. The values calculated from this experiment for different flows
were about similar to the visual dye conditions observed. Although some deviations that have
taken place were due to the experimental error.

EXPERIMENTAL SETUP:
The apparatus used in this experiment are:
Hydraulic Bench
Osborne Reynolds Apparatus
Measuring Cylinder
Stopwatch
Vegetable dye
Thermometer

Observed data:
Internal diameter of visualization pipe =11 = .011
Temperature of water =29
Density of water at 29C = 995.96 (From interpolation in table A.1)
Viscosity of water at 29C =. 8164 103 (From interpolation)

Table 01: Table for the observed data like volume of water collected, time & visual dye
conditions of Reynolds experiment is given below:
No of observation

Time
(sec)

Visual dye condition

Volume of water
collected
(cm3)
60

60

Straight

190

30

Straight

260

20

Slightly dispersed

260

21

Slightly dispersed

355

10

Dispersed

275

Dispersed

Calculated data:
Table 02: Data for volumetric flow rate, Reynolds number & flow type are given below:
No of observation

Volumetric flow
rate
(cm3/s)
1

Area of the tube

(cm2)

Average velocity

Reynolds number

1.05

141.21

6.33

6.66

894.31

13

13.68

1835.69

12.38

13.03

1748.28

35.5

37.36

5012.85

34.375

36.17

4853.99

.95033

Sample Calculation:
Internal diameter of visualization pipe, D = 11 = 1.1 = .011
Area of the pipe, A=

2
4

3.1416(1.1)2
4

2 = .95033 2

Sample calculation for observation no 5:

Volume of water collected, V= 3553
Time of water collection, t = 10

Volumetric flow rate of water, Q = =

Velocity, v =

35.5
.95033

355
10

= 35.5

/ = 37.36 /

Density of water at 29, = 995.96 /3

Viscosity of water at 29, = . 8164 103 .
Reynolds number, Re =

.011.3736995.96
.8164103

= 5012.85

Results & Discussions:

Table 03: Results of this experiment are given below:
No of
observation

Volumetric
flow rate
(cm3/sec)

Visual dye
condition

Reynolds
number
Re

Flow type

Straight

141.21

Laminar

6.33

Straight

894.31

Laminar

13

Slightly
dispersed

1835.69

Transition

12.38

Slightly
Dispersed

1748.28

Transition

35.5

Dispersed

5012.85

Turbulent

34.375

Dispersed

4853.99

Turbulent

General acquisition of related ideas:

The experiment was carried out to investigate the characteristic of the flow of the liquid in the
pipe which is also used to determine the Reynolds Number for each state of the flow.
There are three types of flow that we study in this experiment. Firstly, laminar flow which is
the type of flow in which the particles move in a straight line in the form of thin parallel sheets.
Laminar flow denotes a steady condition where all stream lines follow parallel paths. Under this
condition, the dye will remain easily identifiable as a solid core. There is no dispersion of dye
throughout the flow, except the slow dispersion due to molecular motion.
Then, turbulent flow which is the type of flow in which the particles move in a zigzag pattern.
Turbulent flow denotes as unsteady condition where stream lines interact causing shear plan collapse
and mixing occurs. For turbulent flow, if a dye filament injected into a turbulent flow, it disperse quickly
throughout the flow fluid, the lines of dye breaks into myriad entangled threads of dye
As the flow rate is increased, the transition from laminar to turbulent flow is a gradual
process. This zone of change is defined as transitional flow. This will appear as a wandering dye
stream prior to dispersion as turbulence occurs. So, when the flow changes from laminar to turbulent
or vice verse a disturbance is created, it is called as the transitional flow.

After preparing the experimental setup and gathering some knowledge about the proceedings, we
started the experiment. We observed that the red eye line change with the increasing of water flow
rate. The shape change from thin threads to slightly swirling which still contains smooth thin threads
and then fully swirling. We can say that this change is from laminar flow to transitional flow and
then to turbulent flow and it does not occur suddenly. We must control the water inlet valve and
outlet valve until the flow formed. For lower critical velocity, it is the velocity at which laminar flow
stops and for upper critical velocity it is where a turbulent flow starts.
The results obtained (volumetric flow rate & Reynolds number) from our experiment are interpreted
below:

Interpretation of results:
Observation no 1 & 2:
For the first two observations, the flow rates were very small (1 and 6.33 cm3/sec
respectively). The jet of colored water was observed to flow intact along with the mainstream
and no cross mixing occurred. The water was flowing in straight lines and the flow was laminar.
The experimentally obtained Reynolds numbers for these two observations were 141.21 &
894.31 respectively.
Observation no 3 & 4:
For these two observations, the flow rates were moderate (13 and 12.38 cm3/sec
respectively). The line of dye was not smooth and the width of the streak line was changing in
both cases. The streak line width was changing periodically from top to bottom indicating that
the flow was wavy and was in transition region. The experimentally obtained Reynolds numbers
were 1835.69 & 1748.28 which was in accordance with our observations.
Observation no 5 & 6:
For these two observations, the flow rates were large (35.5 and 34.375 cm3/sec
respectively). The steak line was observed in dispersed condition. The dye was falling with great
velocity. The movement of dye was understood in the path of flow. Visual dye condition
indicates that the flow was turbulent which was supported by our calculated values of Reynolds
Number- 5012.85 & 4853.99.
Comparison between theoretical & experimental results:
As our main objective was to compare the Reynolds number (Re) with the observed flow
type we will check it now. The three fluid flow conditions laminar, transitional, turbulent flow
can be detected by calculating Reynolds Number. It has been internationally recognized that:

A flow having Reynolds number less than 2100 is defined as laminar flow.
The flow is called a transitional flow if it has Reynolds number between 2100 and
4000.
A flow having Reynolds number more than 4000 is a turbulent flow.
Our experimentally obtained Reynolds number and observation of dye shows the flow to

be Laminar for Re = 141.21-894.31

Transition for Re = 1748.28-1835.69 ( experimental error here )
Turbulent for Re = 5012.85-4853.99
It can be said from above discussions that our experimental results support the theory provided
by Osborne Reynolds within some experimental errors obtained in observation no 3 & 4.

 Precautionary measures & probable causes of error:

The experiment was done very carefully and responsibly to reproduce the actual fluid flow
phenomena observed by Professor Osborne Reynolds. The application of Reynolds number in
determining the flow condition is definitely convenient and precise. The accuracy of the result
depended much on the determination of velocity of flow. The precautionary measures &
probable causes of error are listed below:
The experiment was done at suitable and unshaken place.
To get appropriate laminar smooth stream flow, the clip and the valve which control the
injection of red dye was regulated slowly and carefully.
Constant water level mechanism maintained a constant water-head during the
experiment.
A vegetable dye having a density similar to water was used in the apparatus. Heavier or
lighter dyes would have resulted in differences between fluid velocity and dye velocity
resulting in artificial visualization of flow conditions. If concentrated dyes were used,
rapid coloration of the water in the setup tank would have occurred resulting in loss of
definition.
The viscosity and density of the dye was near to that of the fluid but not exactly the same.
For this reason when the dye mixed up with the water they differed a little in the velocity
as their density and viscosity is different.
Though glass-marbles were used to eliminate the effect of bubbling, it was not possible to
fully eradicate that.
The observation tube was dirty and in spite of close observations, it was difficult to be
sure about the original visual flow conditions.
There might be some parallax error such as the slow response during collecting the water,
the position of eyes during taking the value of water volume, time taken for the volume
of water and regulating the valve which control the flow rate of water unstably.
Although for the reasons stated above, exact values of Reynolds number could not be calculated,
it may be concluded that, the experiment was technically correct and the objective of
reproducing the classical experiment conducted by professor Osborne Reynolds related to the
fluid flow at different conditions and demonstrating various flow regimes was fulfilled.
Recommendations:
Based on this experiment, there are many ways to improve the experiment and obtain the best
results which are given below:
Firstly, the experiment should be repeated three times in order to get average readings. This
will reduce the deviation from theoretical results.(Observation no 3 & 4)
While conducting the experiment, there were some errors such as the slow response when
collecting the water in the beaker once we get the flow regime. Besides, the slow response to
start the time taken for the volume of water and regulating the valve which control the flow

rate of water. So, the person in charged should be more alert and focus during the experiment
in order to obtain the accurate result.
There were also some parallax errors while conducting the experiment. For instant, the
position of the eyes during taking the value of water volume is not in the same level with the
readings. Therefore, the readings taken from the beaker should be taken at eye level which is
perpendicular to our eyes to avoid parallax error.
The experiment should be done at suitable and unshaken place which was followed during
conducting our experiment. Also, to get appropriate laminar smooth stream flow, the clip and
the valve which control the injection of blue dye must be regulated slowly and carefully.
When removing the beaker from the exit valve, we noticed that some water still enter the
beaker. So, to avoid this it is better to take same person who guard the stop watch and the
collecting beaker.
Last but not least, we must study the lab manual that have been given to us before start up the
experiment. We also can improve our skill and knowledge to ensure that experiment can be
done smoothly.