lOMoARcPSD|2782621

Lab 2 - Reynolds Number Lab

Thermodynamics and Fluids (University of Birmingham)

Distributing prohibited | Downloaded by alex carvajal (aya43v3r@gmail.com)

 lOMoARcPSD|2782621

Abstract
The purpose of this lab was to study fluid flow in pipes. The main points of interest were the
turbulent and laminar flows and also the pressure loss the fluid experiences as it moves through
the pipes.

Introduction and Theory

Osborne Reynolds (1842 – 1912) was a British physicist and engineer who was best known for
his work in hydraulics and hydrodynamics. He made many contributions to the world of science
and engineering and in 1883 he published his results of the change in the structure of pipe-flow
from laminar to turbulent as the velocity or pipe diameter was increased. He showed that this
changeover occurred for a fixed value of the dimensionless grouping now called the Reynolds
number. .Mace] This experiment is based on the one conducted by Reynolds and theory behind
different constituents of the experiment is given below.
Pressure loss, also known as pressure drop, is the decrease in pressure as measured between two
points in a flowing fluid system. There are a number of factors that cause it to occur. Pressure
drop occurring along the direction of flow in a pipe is caused by fluid friction, both internal in
the fluid itself, as well as with the piping surfaces, piping restrictions or sudden changes in the
geometry of the flow path. Pressure loss is directly related to fluid velocity, specific gravity,
viscosity and the size, shape, and roughness of the pipe interior. The flow rate also determines
the pressure loss and up to a certain limit, the higher the flow rate, the greater the pressure drop,
and vice versa. [Products]

The fluid flow has been classified into 2 different types. The first type is the laminar flow which
is the flow of liquid with low to moderate speeds. In this type of flow the liquid layers move over
each other in a smooth fashion. The second type of fluid flow is the turbulent flow, this type of
flow is attributed towards fluids moving with higher speeds. The liquid layers start exhibiting a
random motion and the shear stress between the layers is much higher than the one in laminar
flows.

Reynolds number is a dimensionless number which sets the criterion as to whether the flow
would be laminar or turbulent. It shows the relation between various parameters of the fluid and
the apparatus. It is defined as:
ρVD
ℜ=
μ
Where ρ stands for the density of the fluid, V stands for its velocity, μ stands for the
viscosity and D stands for the diameter of the pipe.
If the value of the Re is less than 2000 the fluid is said to be laminar and if the value is greater
than 2000 than it is considered turbulent. However, there is a range in which the fluid flow is

Distributing prohibited | Downloaded by alex carvajal (aya43v3r@gmail.com)

 lOMoARcPSD|2782621

considered to be transitional, i-e going from laminar to turbulent. This generally occurs between
2000 – 4000. .Bright Hub]

Apparatus
The apparatus used in this experiment was the Reynolds Apparatus. The apparatus includes a
large tank from the water flow is supplied. A glass tube with the inside diameter of 12.7mm. A
smooth bell mouth inlet from the water enters the tube and where the dye can be injected. The
apparatus also includes a U-tube manometer which is connected to the tube through 2 pressure
taps.
Procedure
Part 1: Visualization of Laminar and Turbulent Flow
- The U-tube manometer was set with its base level and the tubes at an angle of 45º.
- The drain and the valves to both the flow meters were closed in order to cut the flow in
the glass tube.
- The water supply to the tank was turned on and the water level in the inclined manometer
tube was set to between 280 – 320 mm.
- The inlet flow rate to the tank was set so that there was a steady flow over the weir which
provided a constant head for the experiment.
- The temperature of the water in the tank was recorded.
- In order to visualize the laminar flow, the flow rate on the large rotameter was set to 0.02
l /s. The dye was injected into the flow stream several times and the dye streak
distortion was observed.
- In order to visualize the turbulent flow, the flow rate on the large rotameter was set to
0.06 l /s. The dye was again injected into the flow stream several times and the dye
streak distortion was observed.
Part 2: Measurement of Loss in the Pipe
- With the small rotameter closed, manometer differential pressure and volume flow rate
readings were taken at 10 equal increments on the large manometer from 0.2 l /s to 2.0
l /s.
- The flow in the glass tube was shut. The manometer inclination angle was set to 15º from
horizontal in order to increase the sensitivity of the measurements. The manometer
deflection offset was noted.
- The small rotameter was opened and differential pressure readings at 11 flow rate
decrements were recorded from 2.8 l /s to 0.8 l /s.

Citations

Distributing prohibited | Downloaded by alex carvajal (aya43v3r@gmail.com)

 lOMoARcPSD|2782621

“Osborne Reynolds (1842-1912),” University of Manchester School of Mechanical, Aerospace

and Civil Engineering. .Online].
“How Does It Work: Pressure Loss,” Equip to Perform. .Online]
“Types of Fluid Flow – Laminar Flow, Turbulent Flow, Rotational and Irrotational
Flow,” Brighthub Engineering, 28-Aug-2009

Distributing prohibited | Downloaded by alex carvajal (aya43v3r@gmail.com)