Exercise 4

Reynolds Experiment

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

There are three types of flows, the Laminar Flow, Transient Flow and the Turbulent
Flow. Laminar flow is described as a fluid motion where all particles are moving in a
straight line such that an increase in speed is observed towards the center where the
maximum speed is observed. On the other hand, Turbulent flow is an irregular flow of
particles characterized by whirlpool-like regions. Unlike the straight line motion of laminar
flow, the particles of turbulent flow are random,and velocity vectors opposite with each
other(Robert,C., undated). And lastly, the transient flow is the transition or combination of
the two aforementioned flows.

(a)

(b)

(c )

(d)

(e)
 (f)

(g)

(h)

(i)

(j)

Figure 1. (a) Flow; (b) Flow 2; (c) Flow 3; (d) Flow 4; (e) Flow 5; (f) Flow 6; (g) Flow 6; (h)
Flow 8; (i) Flow 9; (j) Flow 10.
Based on the figures above, Flows 1,2 and 3 shows a smooth flow where the
particles travel in straight lines. Flows 4 and 5 looked like a combination of Laminar and
Turbulent flow since the flow seemed to be disturbed but in between these disturbances
are straight line flows. And Flows 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 are turbulent flows wherein the dye is
hardly seen because of the irregularity of flow and fast dispersion od the dye due to
increase in velocity.

Another way to classify flows is by computing the Reynolds Number (Re) such that
(a) If Re < 2000 the flow is Laminar (b) If Re > 4000 the flow is turbulent and (c) If 2000 <
Re < 4000 it is called transition flow. Knowing the Reynolds Number helps in analysing any
type of flow through the substantial velocity gradient or shear stress where the significance
of viscous effect is determined relative to inertial effect.

Reynolds Number can be determined using the equation

 4
Re =

where Q is the discharge flow, D is the inner diameter of the pipe and v is the liquids
kinematic viscosity at room temperature (20C). Knowing that the each flows discharge,
diameter of the pipe which is 5cm and the theoretical kinematic viscosity of water of
1.004x10-6m2/s (The Engineering ToolBox, undated), Re were determined.

Volume Time Discharge

Flow Trial Ave (mL/s) Re
(mL) (s) (mL/s)
1 360 30.06 11.9760479 303.75255
1 2 280 22.94 12.20575414 11.99373736 309.57866
3 360 30.51 11.79941003 299.27242
1 500 28.29 17.67408978 448.2739
2 2 350 20.17 17.35250372 17.44579418 440.11741
3 430 24.84 17.31078905 439.05939
1 390 17.44 22.36238532 567.18473
3 2 330 14.43 22.86902287 22.42516546 580.03475
3 440 19.96 22.04408818 559.11165
1 380 10.05 37.81094527 959.01177
4 2 450 12.99 34.64203233 36.97150536 878.63756
3 375 9.75 38.46153846 975.51298
1 450 10.19 44.1609421 1120.0689
5 2 440 9.98 44.08817635 44.18015235 1118.2233
3 450 10.16 44.29133858 1123.3762
1 480 5.96 80.53691275 2042.6849
6 2 530 7.09 74.75317348 77.0986825 1895.99
3 510 6.71 76.00596125 1927.7649
1 380 4.32 87.96296296 2231.0343
7 2 380 4.36 87.1559633 87.38651507 2210.5661
3 450 5.17 87.04061896 2207.6406
1 425 3.9 108.974359 2763.9535
8 2 460 4.34 105.9907834 107.5768647 2688.28
3 680 6.31 107.7654517 2733.2915
1 475 5.06 93.87351779 2380.9457
9 2 450 3.94 114.213198 104.1140116 2896.8279
3 490 4.7 104.2553191 2644.2629
1 650 4.48 145.0892857 3679.9485
10 2 580 3.7 156.7567568 149.7296792 3975.8745
3 610 4.14 147.3429952 3737.1101
 Based from the table above, Flows 1 to 6 have Re less than 2000 classifying these
flows as Laminar Flow and Flows 7 to 10 have Re between 2000 and 4000 classified as
Transition Flow. The following classifications can also be proven looking at the

Some factors that affect the flow are the velocity of fluid and the diameter of pipe.
Generally, having small pipe diameter and low flow velocities define laminar flow where
the maximum fluid velocity occurs at the center of the pipe. On the other hand, turbulent
flow happens when the flow rate is faster and in large pipes. Transitional flow is a
combination of laminar and turbulent flow, with turbulence in the center of the pipe, and
laminar flow near the edges. behavior (The Engineering ToolBox, undated).

In laminar flow, shear stress is dependent on the fluids viscosity, but independent
of density,, since the pipe is small. Also, theses shear stresses act between the layers of the
fluid which defines the velocity distribution among the layers---increasing velocity as
distance from center decreases. Shear stresses in the Turbulent Flow, on the other hand are
more than those in Laminar Flow and dependent both on viscosity and density. (Bright Hub
Engineering, 2016).

Some possible sources of errors for this exercise are the air bubbles present inside
the pipe which implies that there is an atmospheric pressure in it, the leak of dye while
being induced in the system to be observed making it hard for observers to see the clearer
view of how the fluid flows, instrument errors and lastly, human errors.

REFERENCES

The Engineering ToolBox. Undated. Retrieved from

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/laminar-transitional-turbulent-flow-d_577.html on
March 27, 2017.

Robert, C. undated. Types of Fluid Flow. Retrieved from http://ffden-

2.phys.uaf.edu/212_fall2003.web.dir/robert_casey/typeofluid.htm on March 27, 2017.

Stonecypher, L. August 8, 2009. Classification of Fluid Flow Based on Flow Pattern.

Retrieved from http://www.brighthubengineering.com/hydraulics-civil-
engineering/47264-classification-of-fluid-flow-based-on-flow-pattern/ on March 27, 2017.

The Engineering Toolbox.undated.Dynamic (Absolute) and Kinematic Viscosity of Water -

SI Units.Retrieved from http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-dynamic-kinematic-
viscosity-d_596.html on March 28, 2017.
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

Flow 1 Trial 1
11.9760479mL
Q=V/t=360/30.06= s

11.9760479mL
4 4( ) 1L 1 m^3
Re = = s
1.004106
(1000mL) (1000L)=303.75255
(0.05)( )

Note: v=1.004x10-6m2/s (theoretical value)