1.

0 ABSTRACT

Osborne Reynolds experiment is used 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. The design of the apparatus allowed studying the characteristic of the flow of the fluid
in the pipe, the behavior of the flow and also to calculate the range for the laminar,
transitional and turbulent flow where the calculation is used to prove the Reynolds number
is dimensionless by using the Reynolds Number formula. For the first and second objectives,
it involves running the Osborne Reynolds equipment with different of water volume flow
rate. In this experiment we fix the volume, which is 0.4 mL amount of water while the time is
recorded to obtain its volume flow rate. At the same time we also observe the characteristic
of the flow, whether there are laminar, transitional or turbulent flow. From the data
collected we made calculation to estimate the range for laminar, transitional and turbulent
flow. To prove that the Reynolds number is dimensionless, we calculate by using the units
only and using the appropriate formula. By that, it is proved that the Reynolds number is
dimensionless parameter.

2.0 INTRODUCTION

The apparatus used here to demonstrate „critical velocity‟

is based on that used by Professor Reynolds who demonstrated the nature of the two
modes of motion flowing in a tube, example laminar and turbulent. The unit is designed to
be mounted on P6100 hydraulic Bench and the quantity of water flowing through it can be
measured and timed using the Hydraulic Bench Volumetric Tank and a suitable stopwatch. A
bell mounted glass tube 790 mm long overall by16mm bore is mounted vertically and
concentrically in a much larger diameter tube fitted with baffles. A uniform supply of water
can then be made to flow along the 0.05 mm bore tube. The unit is fitted with a constant
head tank and the flow rate which can be varied by adjustment to the head tank height, can
be measured using the volumetric tank. A dye injector is situated at the entrance to the 16
mm bore tube and thus it is possible to detect whether the flow is streamline or turbulent.
This experiment replicates the work done by Osborne Reynolds to characterize laminar,
transitional and turbulent flow in terms of the “Reynolds Number” (ρvd/μ). The Reynolds
apparatus allows the experimenter to visualize the flow and determine whether it is laminar,
transitional, or turbulent. An overflow tank maintains a constant pressure head on the flow
tube while flow rate is controlled via the globe valve at the outlet. Dye is injected into the
bell mouth at the flow tube in order to visualize the flow. Flow rates (and therefore average
flow velocity, v)may be determined by determined by collecting the liquid in a beaker at the
outlet, and recording the time it takes to fill a given volume. Moreover, the apparatus should
be leveled prior to beginning the experiment.
3.0 OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the Osborne Reynolds Experiment is to illustrate laminar, transitional and
turbulent pipe flows and to determine the condition under which these type of flow occurs.
The examples of flow that we should get from the experiment are:

Laminar flow

is the type of flow in which the particles move in a straight line in the form of a thin parallel
sheets is known as the Laminar flow. 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.

Turbulent flow

is the type of flow in which the particles move in a zigzag pattern is known as the turbulent
flow. Turbulent flow denotes as unsteady condition where stream lines interact causing
shear plan collapse and mixing occurs. 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.

Transitional flow

is when the flow changes from laminar to turbulent or vice verse a disturbance is created, it
is called as the transitional flow

Experiment

Experiment objectives:

1-To compute Reynolds number (R).

2-To observe the laminar, transitional and turbulent flow.

4.0 THEORY

The theory is named in honor of Osborne Reynolds, a British engineer who discovers the
variables that can be used as a criterion to distinguish between laminar and turbulent flow.
The Reynolds number is widely used dimensionless parameters in fluid mechanics. Reynolds
number formula:

R = Reynolds number U = Fluid velocity, (m/s)L = characteristic length or diameter (m)V =

Kinematic viscosity (m2/s)

Reynolds number R is independent of pressure

4.1 Pipe Flow Conditions

For water flowing in pipe or circular conduits, L is the diameter of the pipe. For Reynolds
number less than 2100, the pipe flow will be laminar. For Reynolds number from 2100 to
4000the pipe flow will be considered a transitional flow. Turbulent occur when Reynolds
number is above 4000. The viscosity of the fluid also determines the characteristic of the
flow becoming laminar or turbulent. Fluid with higher viscosity is easier to achieve a
turbulent flow condition .The viscosity of fluid is also dependent on the temperature.

4.2 Laminar Flow

Laminar flow denoted a steady flow condition where all streamlines follow parallel paths,
there being no interaction (mixing) between shear planes. Under this condition the dye
observed will remain as a solid, straight and easily identifiable component of flow.

4.3 Transitional Flow

Transitional flow is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow with turbulence in the center of
the pipe, and laminar flow near the edges. Each of these flows behaves in different manners
in terms of their frictional energy loss while flowing, and have different equations that
predict their behavior .

4.4 Turbulent Flow

Turbulent flow denotes an unsteady flow condition where streamlines interact causing shear
plane collapse and mixing of the fluid. In this condition the dye observed will become
disperse in the water and mix with the water. The observed dye will not be identifiable at
this point.
METHODOLOGY

Experiment

Procedure :

1) The dye injector were lowered until it is seen in the glass tube.

2)The inlet valve, V1 was opened and allowed water entered the stilling tank.

3)A small overflow spillage was ensured through the overflow tube to maintain a constant
level .

4)Water was allowed to settle for a few minutes.

5)The water flow was let through the visualizing tube.

6)The dye control valve, V4 was slowly adjusted and slow flows with dye injection were
achieved.

7)The water inlet valve, V1 and outlet valve, V2 were regulated until a straight identifiable
dye line were achieved. The flow was laminar.

8)The flow rate at the outlet valve, V2 were measured using volumetric method.

9)The experiment was repeated by regulating water inlet valve, V1 and outlet valve, V2 to
produce transitional and turbulent flow.
9.0 DISCUSSION

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.
The experiment was also done to know and learn the behavior of the flow and also to
calculate the range for the laminar, transitional and turbulent flow. We also must prove the
Reynolds number is dimensionless by using the Reynolds number formula. The experiment
was carried out by using Solteq® Osborne Reynolds Demonstration (Model: FM 11).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 a thin parallel sheets
is known as the Laminar flow. 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 .Then, turbulent flow which is the type of flow in which the particles move in a
zigzag pattern is known as the turbulent flow. Turbulent flow denotes as unsteady condition
where stream line sinter act causing shear plan collapse and mixing occurs. 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. Lastly is transitional flow.

when the flow changes from laminar to turbulent or vice versea disturbance is created, it is
called as the transitional flow .In this 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 is not
occurs suddenly. We must control the water inlet valve, V1 and outlet valve, V2 until the
flow formed .For lower critical velocity, it is the velocity at which laminar flow stops and fo
upper critical velocity is where a turbulent flow starts.
10.0 CONCLUSION

The laminar flow occurs when the fluid is flowing slowly and the turbulent flow occurswhen
it is flowing fast. In transitional flow, the flow switches between laminar and turbulent in a
disorderly fashion. As the water flow rate increase, the Reynolds number calculated also
increase and the dye line change from thin thread to swirling in shape Laminar flow occurs
when the Reynolds number calculated is below than 2300; transitional flow occurs when
Reynolds number calculated is between 2300 and 4000 while turbulent flow occurs when
Reynolds number calculated is above 4000.It is proved that the Reynolds equation is
dimensionless, no units left after the calculation. Under most practical conditions, the flow
in a circular pipe is laminar for Re≤2300,turbulent for Re≥4000 and transitional in between.
That is,

Re≤2300 laminar flow

2300≤Re≤4000 transitional flow

Re≥4000 turbulent flow

11.0 RECOMMENDATION

Based on this experiment, there are many ways to improve the experiment and obtain the
best results. Firstly, the experiment should be repeated three times in order to get average
readings. This will reduce the deviation from theoretical results. The experiment itself took a
more four hours to be done once, so with insufficient time, the experiment could only be
done once. To get better results, the experiment should have been repeated at least twice.
While conducting the experiment, there are some error such as the slow response when
collecting the water in the beaker once we get the flow (laminar, turbulent or transition
flow).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
are also some parallel error while conducting the experiment. For instant, the position of the
eyes during taking the value of water volume of 300mL 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. So, during the experiment there are
several precaution steps that need to be alert. The experiment should be done at suitable
and unshaken place.to get appropriate laminar smooth stream flow, the clip and the valve
which control the injection of blue dye must be regulate slow and carefully. When removing
the beaker from the exit valve, we notice 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 manual lab 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.

12.0 REFERENCES

Books
1)Bruce R Munson, Donald F. Young, Theodore H. Okiishi, Fundamental Of FluidMechanics,
fourth edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Webs

1)https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Osborne_Reynoldsretrieve in August 2015.

2)http://discoverarmfield.com/en/products/view/f1-20/Osborne-reynolds-
demonstrtion retrieve in August 2015.

3)www.scribd.com/mobile/doc/36047993/LAB-REPORT-Osbourne-Reynolds-
Apparatus retrieve in August 2015.

4)www.mdp.eng.cam.ac.uk/web/library/enginfo/aerothermal_dvd_only/aero/fprops/pipefl
ow/node8.html retrieve in August 2015.

5)www.britannica.com/science/turbulent-flow retrieve in August 2015.

6)www.hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pfric.html retrieve in August 2015.

7)www.engineeringtoolbox.com/laminar-transitional-turbulent-flow-d_577.html retrieve in
August 2015.

9. Discussions

1.

What is Reynold’s number ?

In fluid mechanics, Reynolds Number (Re) is most important dimensionless

number.Reynolds Number is used to determine whether fluid flow is laminar or turbulent. It
isone of main controlling parameters in all viscous flow where numerical model isselected
according to pre-calculated Reynolds Number.

2.

State some practical examples of laminar and turbulent flow ?

Laminar flowWhen the fluid is moving slowest, get a well-defined streak-line. So where the
fluidmoves slowly in layers in a pipe, without much mixing among the layers. This
flowsituation is called laminar flowTurbulent flowWhen the fluid is moving faster, get an
irregular streak-line which blurs and spreadsthe dye out. The streak-line also fluctuates
randomly with time.so where considerablemixing occurs, velocities are high. This flow is
called turbulent flow.

3.

State the difference between laminar flow and turbulent flow ?

Laminar Flow Turbulent FlowCan be steady and unsteady. It always unsteady, because there
are always random, swirling motions. Can be one, two, or three dimensional It always three
dimensionalOccur at low Reynolds number. Occur at high Reynolds number