UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA

FLUIDS AND THERMODYNAMICS LABORATORY
(CHE486)

NAME/STUDENT NO. : (I) FATIN NASREEN BINTI AHMAD

RIZAL LIM/2016250074
(II) MUHAMMAD NORHAFIZI NAIM BIN
ISMAIL/2016238898
(III) NUR DEANA BINTI HASDI/2016238954
(IV) NURUL THAQIFAH BINTI
MOHAMMAD KHAIR/2016238946

GROUP : EH2203B GROUP 6

EXPERIMENT : L7-OSBOURNE REYNOLDS APPARATUS (OPEN

ENDED)

DATE PERFORMED : 25/09/2017

SEMESTER :3

PROGRAMME / CODE : FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN KIMIA/EH220

SUBMIT TO : PUAN NOR HAZELAH BINTI KASMURI

1
 No. Title Allocated Marks (%) Marks
1 Abstract/Summary 5
2 Introduction 10
3 Aims 5
4 Theory 10
5 Apparatus 5
6 Methodology/Procedure 10
7 Results 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Discussion 20
10 Conclusion 5
11 Recommendations 5
12 Reference / Appendix 5
TOTAL MARKS 100

Remarks:

Checked by :

---------------------------

Date :

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1.0 ABSTRACT/SUMMARY

Osborne Reynolds experiment is set up to determine the nature of flow which consists of
Laminar flow,Transitional flow and Turbulent flow.These three flow is different in their
velocity,which is for laminar,its velocity is constant throughout the time at any point in the fluid,for
turbulent flow its velocity is very high and it is not constant,while for transitional flow,its velocity
is between laminar and turbulent. Another objective for this experiment is to compute the Reynolds
Number(Re).

Throughout the experiment that we had just conducted,for laminar flow,the amount of
water collected in the large measuring cylinder is not as much as transitional flow and turbulent
flow as the velocity itself is low and constant.Furthermore,dye injector was injected in the
observing tube and showing the different pattern of each flow .The flow of Laminar was straight
line compared to Transitional and Turbulent flow which is a bit distracted,scattered and waves.

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.

3
2.0 INTRODUCTION

The Osbourne Reynolds apparatus used here is to show the critical velocity of the motion
flowing in a tube which is laminar, turbulent and transitional flow. It was invented by Professor
Reynolds who made research on fluid dynamics and mechanics.

Osbourne Reynolds Apparatus consists of head tank as water input, dye reservoir that will
inject dye through dye injector, observation tube to observe the fluid motion, and three types of
valve which is overflow valve, water inlet valve and water outlet valve. Those three valves helps
in obtaining the motion flowing in observation tube.

Basically, laminar, turbulent and transitional flows can be obtained by varying the outlet
water valve and controlling the dye injection rate can help improving the quality of flow motion.
Dye is injected in a bell mouth to visualize the three types of flow. Flow rates then can be determine
by measuring the liquid flow using a measuring cylinder at a constant time.

The dimensionless units of Reynolds number (Re) is given as,

Re =

For laminar flow, its Re is below 2000 and turbulent flow is greater than 4000. Hence, transitional
flow is in between of 2000 and 4000.

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3.0 AIMS

1) To determine the nature of flow which consists of Laminar flow,Transitional flow and
Turbulent flow.

2) To determine the condition under which these type of flow occurs.

3) To compute the Reynolds Number(Re) using the formula given.

4) To obtain the value of Reynolds Number of these three flow accordingly to the real value.

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4.0 THEORY

Professor Osborne Reynolds (1842-1912) first realized that there was a critical velocity
at which the law relating loss of pressure energy and velocity in pipe flow changed. He first
demonstrated this with his famous Color Band (on the die-line) experiment. This consisted of
injecting a line jet of dye into the flow of water visible through a transparent pipe. At low velocities
the dye-line was unbroken, but as the velocity of the flow through the pipe was increased, the dye-
line broke up and eddies were seen to form.

The viscosity of the fluid also determines the characteristics of the flow becoming laminar
or turbulent. Fluid with higher viscosity is easier to achieve a turbulent flow condition. The
viscosity of fluid depends on the temperature. Reynolds investigated these two different types of
motion and concluded that the parameters which were involved in the flow characteristics were:

= The velocity of the flow of the fluid ()

= The diameter of the pipe ()
= The coefficient of viscosity of the fluid (2 )

He came up with a dimensionless constant Reynolds number:

If the Reynolds number is less than 2100 it is laminar flow. Laminar flow is a steady flow
condition where all the streamlines follow parallel path. The path will not interact and mix between
the shear planes. Under this condition the dye observed will remain as a solid, straight and easily
identifiable component of flow.

If the Reynold number is between 2100 to 4000 it is transitional flow. Transitional flow is
a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow with turbulence in the centre 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 behaviour.

6
 If the Reynolds number is more than 4000 it is turbulent flow. Turbulent flow is an
unsteady flow condition where streamlines interact causing shear plane collapse and mixing the
fluid. In this condition, the dye will become disperse in the water and mix with each other. The
observed dye will not be identifiable at this particular point.

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5.0 MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

Material:

1-Water

2-Dye

Apparatus:

Measuring cylinder

Stopwatch

8
Solteq Osborne Reynolds Demonstration (Model: Fm 11)

2
3

6 9

1) Dye reservoir 6) Overflow tube, V3

2) Dye control valve, V4 7) Water inlet valve, V1
3) Dye injector 8) Bell mouth
4) Head tank 9) Water outlet valve, V2
5) Observation tube

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6.0 METHODOLOGY/PROCEDURE

1. The dye injector was lowered until it can be seen in the glass tube.
2. The water inlet valve was fully opened to allow water fill up 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 few minutes.
5. The water flow was let through the visualizing tube.
6. The dye injector was slowly adjusted until a slow flows of dye injection was achieved.
7. The water inlet valve and outlet valve were regulated until a straight identifiable dye
line were achieved. The flow was laminar.
8. The flow rate was measured at the outlet valve by using volumetric method.
9. The experiment was repeated by regulating the water inlet valve and water outlet valve
to obtain transitional and turbulent flow.

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7.0 RESULTS
Diameter, D = 0.0156
Area, = 1.91 104 2
Kinematics viscosity, v = 0.89 106 2

1) LAMINAR FLOW

Time, t (s) Volume, V (mL)

20 102

Time, t Volume, V Flow rate, Q Flow rate, Q Fluid Reynolds

(s) (L) (L/s) ( /) velocity, u number, Re
(m/s)
20 0.102 5.100 103 5.100 106 0.0267 468.000

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2) TRANSITIONAL FLOW

Time, t (s) Volume, V (mL)

20 360

Time, t Volume, V Flow rate, Q Flow rate, Q Fluid Reynolds

(s) (L) (L/s) ( /) velocity, u number, Re
(m/s)
20 0.360 0.01800 1.800 105 0.094 1647.640

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3) TURBULENT FLOW

Time, t (s) Volume, V (mL)

20 335

Time, t Volume, V Flow rate, Q Flow rate, Q Fluid Reynolds

(s) (L) (L/s) ( /) velocity, u number, Re
(m/s)
20 0.335 0.0168 1.68 105 0.0877 1537.213

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8.0 CALCULATIONS
Sample Calculation of Flow Rates, Q

L VolumeL
Flowrate, Q
s Times

*1m3 1000 L
Laminar Flow Transitional Flow Turbulent Flow

0.102 L
Q Q
0.360 L
Q
0.335 L
20 s 20 s 20 s
L L
Q 5.100 10 3 Q 0.01800
L Q 0.0168
s s s

Sample Calculation of Fluid Velocity, u

m3
Flowrate, Q
m s
Fluidvelocity, u
s Area, A m 2

* Area 1.9110 4 m 2
Laminar Flow Transitional Flow Turbulent Flow

L 1m3 L 1m 3 L 1m 3
Q 5.100 10 3 Q 0.01800 Q 0.0168
s 1000 L s 1000 L s 1000 L
3 3 3
6 m 5 m 5 m
Q 5.100 10 Q 1.800 10 Q 1.68 10
s s s

m3 m3 m3
5.100 10 6 1.800 10 5 1.68 10 5
u s u s u s
1.9110 4 m 2 1.91 10 4 m 2 1.9110 4 m 2
m m m
u 0.0267 u 0.094 u 0.0877
s s s

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Sample Calculation of the Reynolds Number, Re

uD
Re ynoldsnumber , Re
v

Where,
m
u Fluidvelocity
s
D Diameter (0.0156m)
m2
v Kinematicvis cos ity 0.89 10 6
s

Laminar Flow Transitional Flow Turbulent Flow

m m m
0.0267 0.0156m 0.094 0.0156m 0.0877 (0.0156m)
Re
s
Re
s
Re
s
m2 6 m
2
6 m
2
0.89 10 6 0.89 10 0.89 10
s s s
Re 468.000 Re 1647.640 Re 1537.213

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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 Reynolds number formula.
The experiment was carried out by using Osbourne Reynolds apparatus.

There are three types of flow being observed in this experiment. Firstly, 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. 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. Lastly, when the flow changes from
laminar to turbulent or vice versa a disturbance is created, it is called as the transitional
flow.

Based on the experiment conducted, the Reynolds number that achieved by the
laminar flow at 20 s is 468.000, which is acceptable because the theoretical Reynolds
number for a laminar flow is less than 2000. As for the transitional flow and turbulent
flow, the Reynolds numbers at 20 s are 1647.640 and 1537.213 respectively. Both of
the flows did not achieved the theoretical value because as for the transitional flow, the
Reynolds number has to be between 2000 and 4000, while for the turbulent flow, the
Reynolds number has to be more than 4000. This is due to a few of errors that has been
done during the experiment.

Firstly, the water level in the head tank are not constant throughout the experiment.
Small disturbances in the velocity field, created perhaps by small roughness elements
on the surface, or pressure perturbations from external sources such as vibrations in the
surface or strong sound waves could have been the reasons for not achieving the
Reynolds number. Furthermore, the velocity of the flow is not high enough to achieve

16
a higher Reynolds number. Besides, the control valve is not handle well throughout the
experiment and causes the water level in tank not stayed a constant level. The overflow
valves may have been disturbed during the experiment, this may causes slightly changes
of the flow adjusted. Lastly, the volume measured for the each flow is not repeated
correctly.

There are a few ways to overcome the errors in this experiment. Firstly, the water
level in the head tank is need to be maintain constant by controlling the control valve
throughout the experiment and the out flow valve has to be slightly open. The
experiment should be conducted at a suitable location which can reduce the sound
waves and the disturbances from the surroundings. Besides, the speed of the flow
pattern should have been higher, this can be undergo by adjusting the in flow valve and
the out flow valve. Moreover, the control valve need to be control while measuring the
volume for each flow at 20 s, in order to keep the water level in the head tank constant.
The valves adjusted for each flow cannot be touched during the measurement of the
volume of the out flow water. This is because changes of the flow pattern may occur if
the the valves are disturbed. Lastly, the volume of the out flow water measured should
have been repeated three times at a constant time so that during the second repeatation,
a few changes can be made to get a new value of the Reynolds number for each flow.

One of the precautions in this experiment is the pipe of the out flow water needs to
be pointed directly towards the drain so that the out flow water will not make the floor
wet and slippery. Furthermore, 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. To avoid this, it is better to take the same
person who guard the stop watch and collecting the beaker. Next, it is better that a
person stayed and guard the control valve to keep the water level constant. Lastly, the
water inside the tank that located below the apparatus cannot be overfilled, to avoid the
water from flowing out and causes the room to be flooded with water.

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10.0 CONCLUSION

From the experiment, we can conclude that the water flow rate affects Reynolds number.
As the flow rates increases, the Reynolds number also increases. From the equation and data
obtained, we can calculate and proved that Reynolds number is dimensionless. Under the most
practical conditions, it is proven that,

Re 2100 is a laminar flow

2100 < Re < 4000 is a transitional flow

Re 4000 is turbulent flow

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11.0 RECOMMENDATIONS

There are a few 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 same measuring cylinder should
be used for each repeatation so that the volume measured do not make any big changes.
An A4 paper is used as a background to get a clearer picture and view of the flow
pattern. 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 so the
person in charged should be more alert and focus during the experiment in order to
obtain the accurate result. Lastly, the water level controlled in the head tank should not
be too high and too low from the tube that located inside.

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12.0 REFERENCE/APPENDIX

Jamal, H. (2014). Civil Engg. Dictionary. Experimental Study of Laminar,

Transitional and Turbulent Flow .
Reynols Experiment. (n.d.). Scribd.

Sal. (2005). Fluid Dynamics. Khan Academy.

Vista, T. (2017). Reynolds Number Formula. TutorVista.com.

Z. Warhaft, C. U. (1997). The Engine and The Atmosphere: An Introduction to

Engeneering . Transition and Turbulence.

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Figure 7.1 Laminar flow obtained from the experiment with Re=468
(achieved Re<2100).

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Figure 7.2 Transitional flow obtained from the experiment with Re=1647.640 ( Re
failed to achieve between 2100<Re<4000)

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Figure 7.3 Turbulent flow obtained from the experiment with Re=1537.213 (Re
failed to achieve higher than 4000).

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