FLUID MECHANICS-I

(LAB)
Determine the Type of Flow using
Reynold’s Number
Introduction
It is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces within a fluid.
■ Prof. Osborne Reynolds conducted the
experiment in the year 1883.
■ This was conducted to demonstrate the
existence of two types of flow :-
i. Laminar Flow
ii. Transition Flow
iii. Turbulent Flow
Types of Flow
■ Laminar Flow:-
Laminar flow is defined as that type of flow in which the fluid particles move along
well-defined paths or stream lines and all the stream lines are straight and parallel.
For example, pipe through uniform cross-section.
■ Turbulent Flow:-
Turbulent flow is defined as that type of flow in which the fluid particles move is a
zigzag way. The Fluid particles crosses the paths of each other. For example, flow in
river at time of floods.
■ Transition Flow:-
the flow in the transition state i.e., in between the laminar and turbulent flow is
called transition flow.
According to Reynold Number

Sr. No. Type of Flow Reynolds

01. Laminar Flow < 2100

02. Transition Flow 2100 – 3000

03. Turbulent > 3000

Apparatus
Procedure
■ Measure diameter of a pipe and size of measuring tank
■ The tank was filled to some height by opening inlet valve and closing control valve
■ Color dye was filled in dye tank
■ Control valve was open slightly and also the inlet valve such a way that the water
level in the tank remains constant. This happens when in coming discharge is equal
to the outgoing discharge
■ The discharge was measured
■ The whole procedure is repeated for 4 to 5 times
Sketch
Representation
Formula
.V .D
Re 

Where:
Re = Reynold’s number (Dimensionless Parameter)
V = Average velocity in m / sec
D = Diameter of pipe in m.
ρ = Mass density of fluid (Kg / m3)
µ = Dynamic viscosity (N - s / m2 or Kg / m. sec)
Applications
■ For pipe flow applications, it's often important to be able to determine whether a
given flow condition is laminar flow or turbulent flow.
■ Practical transport of water or air in a pipe or other closed conduit is typically
turbulent flow.
■ It is used when modeling the movement of organisms swimming through water.
■ Atmospheric air is considered to be a fluid. Hence, the Reynolds number can be
calculated for it. This makes it possible to apply it in wind tunnel testing to study the
aerodynamic properties of various surfaces.
■ It plays an important part in the testing of wind lift on aircraft, especially in cases of
supersonic flights where the high speed causes a localized increase in the density of
air surrounding the aircraft.
Assignment
THANK YOU