Osborne Reynolds Experiment

Fluid Mechanics and Hydraulic Machinery

ME3110

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
Malabe

Name: R.M.C.L. Bandara

EN Number: EN16523074
Group: Group 02
Program: SLIIT

Instructed by:
Date of Performance: 1/05/2018
Date of Submission: 14/05/2018
1.0 Introduction
The Osborne Reynolds Demonstrator

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Figure 1 : Reynolds demonstrator

1.Drain Valve 8. Aluminum Reservoir for ink

2.Waste Water Discharge 9. Water Reservoir
3.Test Pipe Section 10. Overflow Section
4.Glass Ball Layer 11. Control valve
5.Metering Tap 12. Connections for Water Supply
6.Brass Inflow Tip 13. Base Plate
7.Flow-Optimised Inflow

In fluid dynamics the type of flow occurring in a fluid channel is a very useful and important
parameter to calculate. Reynolds number which is a dimensionless quantity describes whether the
fluid flow is laminar, transition or turbulent.

2.0 Objectives
• To observe flow characteristics of fluids on a pipe (lamina /transitional /turbulent)
• To determine the conditions where each flow occurs and to calculate Reynolds number and
observe the relationship of flow type variation with the Reynolds number.
3.0 Apparatus
• Hydraulic bench
• Osborne Reynolds demonstration apparatus
• Stop watch
• Dye
• Thermometer
• Measuring cylinder

4.0 Theory

Reynolds number

The Reynolds number which is found by Osborne Reynolds is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous
forces of a liquid flow and is a convenient parameter for predicting whether a flow condition
is laminar transition or turbulent.

❖ Viscous force = shear stress * area

❖ Inertial force = mass * acceleration

𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 ρVD 𝑉𝐷

𝑅𝑒 = = =
𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 μ μ
where:
Re= Reynolds number
V = flow velocity (m/s)
D = inside diameter of pipe section (m)
ρ = fluid density (kg/m3)
μ = dynamic viscosity (Pa . s)
ν = kinematic viscosity (m2/s) , ν = μ / ρ

Limits of the Reynolds number which decides the flow type

• Lamina when Re < 2300

• Transition when 2300 < Re < 4000
• Turbulent when Re > 4000

The velocity at which the flow changes from one type to another is called critical velocity.
Lamina flow
lamina flow occurs when the fluid is moving very slowly. Which takes place when fluid moves in
layers (equivalent levels) one on another without mixing between two layers. At this condition
velocity of the fluid is constant at any point on the fluid.

Main properties.
• Re < 2300
• ‘low’ velocity
• Fluid particles move in straight lines.
• Layers of water flow over one another at different speeds with virtually no mixing between
layers (streamline in nature).
• The flow velocity profile for laminar flow in circular pipes is parabolic in shape, with a
maximum flow in the center of the pipe and a minimum flow at the pipe walls.
• The average flow velocity is approximately one half of the maximum velocity.
• Simple mathematical analysis is possible to predict future flow properties.
• Very rare to observe.

Transitional Flow

At Reynolds numbers between about 2300 and 4000 the flow is unstable as a result of the onset of
turbulence and one set of laminar. These flows are sometimes referred to as transitional flows.

Main properties.
• 2300 < Re < 4000
• ‘Medium’ velocity.
• Flow has both transition and irregular flow characteristics.
• Average motion is in the direction of the flow.
• Mathematical analysis is difficult.

Turbulent flow
This is the most common type. this is an irregular flow which have small whirlpool regions. In
these fluid flows, all fluid layers are mixed one another.

Main properties.
• Re > 4000
• ‘high’ velocity.
• The flow is formed by the irregular movement of particles of the fluid.
• Average motion is in the direction of the flow
• The flow velocity profile for turbulent flow is slightly flat across the center section of a
pipe and drops rapidly when close to the walls.
• The average flow velocity is approximately equal to the velocity at the center of the pipe.
• Mathematical analysis is very difficult.
• Most common flow types.
 Figure 2: lamina and turbulent fluid flow

5.0 Methodology
1. At first apparatus was setup and measured the diameter of the pipe and measured the room
temperature.
2. Then the aluminum reservoir was filled with dye. Dye flow control valve was closed during this
operation.
3. Then the water flow is turned on by carefully opening the control valve to maintain a constant
water level in the reservoir.
4. Then the drain valve was slightly opened to produce a low rate flow in to the test pipe section.
5. Then the metering tap was opened to allow dye flow from the nozzle at the entrance of the channel
until a colored stream is visible along the test pipe section.
6. Water flow was adjusted until a laminar flow pattern is observed in the vertical glass pipe.
7. Then time was measured to flow 300ml volume of water using a stop watch and measuring
cylinder.
8. Then the water flow was slightly increased and measured the time taken.
9. Above step was carried out for 7 times until a turbulent flow formed inside the tube.
10. After taking all the readings the apparatus was cleaned.
 6.0 Observations
• Inside diameter of the pipe section (D) = 0.01m
• Cross sectional area of the pipe (A) = 7.85 x 10-5 m3
• Kinematic viscosity of water at room temperature (μ) = 0.738 x 10-6
• Average room temperature (ɵ) = 34oC

Lamina fluid flow patterns was observed in low velocity fluid flow condition and turbulent flow
patterns was observed in fast fluid flow conditions

7.0 Analysis
Table 1: Experimental Results

Run No Volume Time Flow Rate Velocity(V) Reynolds Type of

(mm3) (s) (mm3/s) (m/s) number flow
1 300 10.1 29.703 0.378 5124.525 turbulent
2 300 50.3 5.964 0.076 1028.980 laminar
3 300 22.89 13.106 0.167 2261.149 laminar
4 300 11.26 26.643 0.339 4596.599 turbulent
5 300 4.41 68.027 0.866 11736.441 turbulent
6 300 14.56 20.604 0.262 3554.787 transition
7 300 4.03 74.442 0.948 12843.103 turbulent

Selecting first set of readings from table

Volume(V) = 300x10-6 m3
Time = 10.1 s
Flow Rate = 29.7 x 10-6 m3/s
𝜋 𝐷2 𝜋 (0.01)2
Cross sectional area = = = 7.85x10-5m2
4 4

Flow Rate 29.7 x 10−6 m3/s

Velocity = Cross sectional area = = 3.78x 10-1 m/s
7.85x10−5m2

𝑉∗𝐷 3.78x 10−1 ∗ 0.01

Re = = = 5124.52
μ 0.738 x 10−6

➢ This is a turbulent flow pattern since Reynold number is greater than 4000.
8.0 Discussion
Practical examples of lamina and turbulent flow.
Lamina flow
Most common example for a lamina flow is a flow if viscous liquid through a tube or a pipe. When
the viscosity increases mostly velocity also decreases so the fluid flow tends more towards lamina
side.
The other example is the flow of air over an aircraft wing. There is a very thin sheet of air lying
over the surface of the wing which adhere to the wing due to viscosity, this layer is called as
buoyancy layer. when the wing moves forward the buoyancy layer flows smoothly over the wing.
This is a lamina flow.
Blood flow inside the veins are also defined as lamina flows, where concentric layers of blood
moves parallel along the blood vessel. Highest velocity is in the center of the vessel and lowest
velocity is near the wall of the vessel

Turbulent flow
This is the irregular flow type and most common flow type. other than very few cases all other
flows are turbulent.
When a small stream of smoke rises up in the air the first few centimeters of the smoke channel is
like a tube which has smooth streamlines this is a perfect example for a lamina flow, when the
smoke rises up the flow tends to be transitional and finally turbulent with velocity fluctuations so
disordered motion.

Turbulent flow

Transitional flow

Lamina flow

Figure 3: smoke flow

Significance of the Reynolds number with the applications.
By doing the practical it was observed that the Reynolds number increases when the flowrate
(velocity of fluid) increases. Due to the dye the flow patterns can be clearly seen. In fluid
dynamics the type of flow occurring in a fluid channel is a very useful and important parameter to
calculate. Reynolds number which is a dimensionless quantity describes whether the fluid flow is
laminar, transition or turbulent. By observing test pipe section of the apparatus and considering
water flow rate the theory can be proved.
Mathematically Reynolds number (Re) can be calculated by.
𝑉∗𝐷
Re =
μ

Where V = Volume, D = internal diameter of the tube, μ = kinematic viscosity of fluid

Figure 4: Reynolds number variation

Velocity of fluid, diameter if tube and density of fluid are directly proportional to the Reynolds
number while viscosity is inversely proportional,

Reynolds number is calculated in most of the fluid dynamic problems

• When doing fluid flow analysis most of the times the flow is considered to be lamina for easy
calculations, in these conditions Reynolds number calculation is a first step.
• Reynolds number is used to calculate the friction factor in fluid mechanic equations.
• The fluid flow through a pipe can be viscous or turbulent and this can be determined by the
Reynolds number.
• Stocks law equation is modified to include Reynolds number to study the rate of sedimentation in
suspension.
• Reynolds number is used to model the movements of water /air around mechanical constructions.
• When designing air crafts, Reynolds number is mainly considered.
• When testing aerodynamic properties of vehicles, buildings, and various surfaces Reynolds
number is calculated.
9.0 Conclusion
The Reynolds number is a dimensionless number which is used to differentiate between the
turbulent and laminar flow of a pattern and predict how it will flow in different fluid situations. The
exact number at which the flow of a fluid makes a transition from laminar to turbulent is named as
'critical Reynolds number’. Reynolds number calculation is one of the main point in fluid dynamic
analysis, thus plays an important part in fluid mechanics. By doing the practical we observed the
variation of flow patterns(disturbances) with increase of velocity, in this condition velocity id the only
factor changed, while kinematic viscosity is constant assuming constant room temperature, and
considering internal tube dimeters is constant.
The velocity was directly proportional to Re, as same as in the Reynolds equation.
In conclusion the experiment was successful and gained a huge knowledge about Reynolds number its
uses and fluid mechanic analysis.

10.0 References
• Nuclear Power. 2018. What is Reynolds Number - Definition of Reynolds Number. [ONLINE]
Available at: https://www.nuclear-power.net/nuclear-engineering/fluid-dynamics/reynolds-
number/. [Accessed 13 May 2018].

• Reynolds number definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary. 2018. Reynolds number
definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary. [ONLINE] Available
at: https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/reynolds-number. [Accessed 13 May
2018].

• Difference Between. 2018. Difference between Laminar Flow and Turbulent Flow. [ONLINE]
Available at: https://www.differencebtw.com/difference-between-laminar-flow-and-turbulent-
flow/. [Accessed 13 May 2018].

• PhysLink.com, Anton Skorucak. 2018. What is the difference between laminar and turbulent
flow?. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.physlink.com/education/askexperts/ae464.cfm.
[Accessed 13 May 2018].