DISCUSSION

In this experiment, water displaced over 5 seconds through different size of pipes controlled to acquire
different velocity of the flow. The controlling variables adjusted by using simple technique which by fully open
the opening of the water to obtain high velocity, midway open provides medium velocity, and almost close
opening had the lowest velocity. This simple technique such controlling the opening of the water source make
possible the comparison between the size of tube used and comparison between the velocities of fluid flow.
Basically, the Reynolds number, Re used to determine whether the fluid flow either laminar or turbulent flow
and through observation, almost close opening which the pipe opening 1 had the lowest flow rate,
qsmall=0.000010 m3 s-1, qmedium= 0.000015 m3 s-1, qbig= 0.000026 m3 s-1 and lowest velocity, vsmall= 0.277056 m s,
vmedium= 0.238994 m s, vbig= 0.149153 m s which directly affect the Reynolds number since the velocity and
flow rate directly proportional to Reynolds number, Re. With increasing velocity, Reynolds number increase as
showed in Graph 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. Slower the flow which means the velocity of the fluid flow slower, the more
closely it flows in such laminar motion. Based on the Table 1.2.1, Re of small, medium, and big pipes are
2188.74, 2150.94, 2237.29 respectively and it is observed that the type of flows are laminar. Although,
theoretically Re of less than 2000 produce laminar flow, through relative observation the flow of the fluid were
much closer to laminar instead of turbulent. Comparing with physical optical observation by using naked eye,
some of the observations seemed to be inconsistent with calculated Re when the opening is almost close, which
Re more than 2000 (Table 1.2.1) and theoretically its a transition. Some suggestion of errors might occur due to
the position of the needle when injecting the methylene blue inside the pipes. The tip of the needle is probably
disturbing the water current hence creating unintentional turbulent when observation is made. While the fluid
flow of pipe opening number 2, 3 and 4 for small, medium and big pipes observed are turbulent with Re ranging
5000 to 8000 (Table 1.2.1, Table 1.2.2, and Table 1.2.3). Drysdale, D. 2011, reported that the laminar pattern
usually form when the features such as low speeds, small diameters, low densities and high viscosity.
Meanwhile, for turbulence flow it is vice versa.
The effect of the pipe opening on the flow rate, velocity and Reynolds can be explained through Table
1.4 and Graph 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3. In comparison of the 1st opening which has the lowest velocity and with full
opening which have the highest velocities which have t-value of 0.000834 for small pipe, 0.010211 medium
pipe, and 0.014098 for big pipe. Hence, there is significant difference between lowest velocity and highest
velocity of each pipe. In addition, tube diameter (Dsmall = 0.007m, Dmedium = 0.009m, Dbig = 0.015m) effect the
flow rate, q, velocity, v and Reynolds number, Re since the diameter of the tube inversely proportional to
velocity and Reynolds number (refer to equation).

Graph 2.4 showed that with increasing tube diameter, the Reynolds number increase as well when the
velocity is fixed at 0.265 m s-1. This only true when the diameter of the tube is less than 1 meter because
diameter of the tube that more than 1 meter have negative effect on the Reynolds number, where increasing
diameter from 1 meter onward will produce decreasing Reynolds number. In addition, with t-test involving 2
sets of data of the diameter of pipes, only small and medium pipes showed no significant difference of 0.81098
while small and big pipes, and medium with big pipes showed significant difference of 0.00041 and 0.00745
respectively (Table 1.5). Hence, the differences of diameter 0.002m between medium and small pipes are not
significant in terms of Reynolds number and velocity produced. Whereas, the differences of diameter 0.006m
and 0.008m between medium and big pipes, and small and big pipes have significant difference.

CONCLUSION
This experiment display some parameters that influence the condition of fluid flow and controlled by simple
technique such controlling the water source opening and the size of the tube which affect whether the flow of
the fluid is laminar, transition, or turbulent. These parameters have the influence on the Re value. Hence, the
increase of the pipe diameter and velocity would produce high Re value result which a turbulent fluid flow.
While smaller pipe diameter would promote lower Re value when velocity of the fluid is constant for all pipes.
Moreover, increasing velocity would yield increasing Re value for each pipe used.

REFERENCES
Doran, P. M. (1995) Bioprocess engineering principle. Academic Press, p. 130-131
Drysdale, D. (2011). An introduction to fire dynamics. John Wiley & Sons.
Lydersen, B. (1993). Bioprocess engineering: Systems, equipment and facilities, New York: Wiley.
Ould-Rouiss, M., Bousbai, M., & Mazouz, A. (2013). Large eddy simulation of turbulent heat transfer in pipe
flows with respect to Reynolds and Prandtl number effects. Acta Mechanica, 224(5), 1133-1155.