1.

INTRODUCTION

Reynolds number is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces within a fluid which is

subjected to relative internal movement due to different fluid velocities. The concept was

introduced by Sir George Stokes in 1851,] but the Reynolds number was named by Arnold

Sommerfeld in 1908[3] after Osborne Reynolds (1842–1912), who popularized its use in 1883.

The inertial force and the viscous force is similar. This goes that they also have the

same units thus the Reynolds number is unitless. We can determine whether fluid flow is

laminar or turbulent based on the Reynolds number.

The objective of this experiment is to determine the Reynolds Number, NRe, as a

function of flow rate and to characterize the type of flow of liquid in a circular pipe. The

experiment gives insight on how to determine or the process of obtaining the Reynolds number

of a fluid. Also, the experiment uses a dye to help predict the type of flow of the fluid. If the

dye runs smoothly together with the fluid, then it is assumed to have a laminar flow. If the dye

flows in a violent manner then it is considered to be Turbulent. If the dye is in zigzag form but

is consistent in flow then it is in transient flow or between laminar and turbulent.

The Reynolds number is one of the basic quantity in fluid mechanics and is mostly

used in various computations. In production, the flow rate of the materials must be controlled.

It helps to predict the flow pattern of liquids. It may be laminar or turbulent depending on the

properties of the material. It is important to include the Reynolds number to avoid unnecessary

eddies or disturbances or to avoid extremely slow flow rate of the fluids.

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2. THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

The Reynolds number is the ratio of a fluid's inertial force to its viscous force. Inertial

force involves force due to the momentum of the mass of flowing fluid. Viscous forces deal

with the friction of a flowing fluid. I

In fluid mechanics, it is a number that indicates whether the flow of a fluid is steady

(laminar flow) or on the average steady with small, unsteady changes (turbulent flow) is the

Reynolds number. In case of flow through pipe for values of Re less than that of 2100, the flow

is laminar while if it is more than that of 4000 then it is turbulent and for 2100<Re<4000 it is

in transition flow.

The Reynolds number is a function of the fluid’s velocity given a fixed setting and

material. Thus, it can also be expressed as a function of flowrate.

With respect to laminar and turbulent flow regimes:

 laminar flow occurs at low Reynolds numbers, where viscous forces are dominant, and is

characterized by smooth, constant fluid motion;

 turbulent flow occurs at high Reynolds numbers and is dominated by inertial forces, which

tend to produce chaotic eddies, vortices and other flow instabilities.

The dimensionless number can be determined by the equation:

𝜌𝐷𝑣
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇

2
 Equation 1

where:

 NRe is the Reynolds number, which is unitless

 ρ is the fluid density in kilograms-per-cubic-meter (kg/m3)

 v is the velocity in meters-per-second (m/s)

 D is the diameter of the pipe in meters (m)

 μ is the viscosity of the fluid in pascal-seconds (Pa⋅s)

This equation can also be expressed in terms of rate flow since

𝑄 = 𝐴𝑣

Equation 2

A = cross-sectional area of the pipe

Then

4𝜌𝑄
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜋𝐷𝜇

Equation 3

Where the Reynolds number is a function of the flow rate of the fluid in a pipe.

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 The apparatus that is used in the experiment is the Osbourne Reynolds apparatus. This

is equipped with a dye which can indicate the flow of the fluid. If the dye runs smoothly

together with the fluid, then it is assumed to have a laminar flow. If the dye flows in a violent

manner then it is considered to be Turbulent. If the dye is in zigzag form but is consistent in

flow then it is in transient flow or between laminar and turbulent. The concept of the apparatus

is shown below in Figure 2.1.

Figure 2.1

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3. EXPERIMENTAL SECTION

3.1 Materials and Apparatus

- Osbourne Reynolds Number Apparatus

- Dye

- Thermometer

- Stopwatch

- 1 Liter Graduated Cylinder

- 1 Digital Camera

3.2 Procedure

The apparatus was setup and the diameter and cross-sectional area was

determined. After setting up, the temperature of the water was recorded for the density

and viscosity of the water to be determined. The dye was mounted on top of the head

tank and the head tank was supplied with water and the control valve was opened

securing the flow rate of the water supplied and the flow rate of the control valve was

the same. The flow was stabilized for 30 seconds.

The dye was introduced slowly by adjusting the dye control valve and the

behavior of the dye was observed and a picture was taken. The dye is of importance

because it supports the calculations of the students. An amount of water was collected

in the discharge valve for 15 seconds in order for the actual flow rate to be determined

the Reynold’s number was computed. The same procedure was done for five different

flow rates.

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3.3 Specifications:

Diameter of pipe = 0.0254 m

Temperature = 31 degrees Celsius

Density of water at given temp = 995.337 kg/m3

Viscosity of water at given temp = 0.3355 x 10-3 kg/m.s

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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The experiment lasted for about 10 minutes. The students perfumed at least 5 trials for

the experiment. In the table 4.1, the first 3 columns are the data that were recorded in the

experiment. The succeeding columns were calculated using excel. The calculations can be

found in Appendix using equation 3.

Volume of Collection Reynold’s

Volumetric
H2 O Time Number
Trial Flow rate Type of Flow
Collected
(sec) (m3/s) (NRe)
(mL)

1 655 15 4.3667E-05 6493.86194 Turbulent

2 590 15 3.9333E-05 5849.43289 Turbulent

3 310 15 2.0667E-05 3073.43084 Transient

4 200 15 1.3333E-05 1982.85861 Laminar

5 150 15 0.00001 1487.14396 Laminar

Table 4.1

An amount of 15 seconds of time were the basis of the experiment. For 15 seconds the

volume from the flowrate were recorded. With this, the students identified the Reynolds

number. It is shown that with an increasing flowrate with the same time interval yields

increasing velocity thus also increasing the Reynolds number. This is true since the Reynolds

number is directly proportional to the velocity of the fluid which is water. Trial 1 and 2 were

recorded to be Turbulent flow since its Reynolds number is greater that 4000. This was also

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shown in the apparatus since the dye did not form a straight flow. Trials number 4 and 5 has a

flow of Laminar. The dye in these trials follows a smooth path with consistency, this is since

the flow is very smooth that forces acting on the dye is very small. Trial number 3 is in

Transient flow. This means that the Reynolds number is between 4000 and 2100. The dye in

this trial forms a zigzag path. This is also true since the dye did break but also did not form a

straight path.

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5. CONCLUSION

The experiment determined the relationship between the fluid’s Reynolds number and

volumetric flow. It is shown that as the volumetric flow rate increases in a constant diameter

pipe, its Reynolds number also increases. It is also shown in the behavior of the dye being

carried by the fluid. Though there were delays in performing of the experiment because of the

dye clogging, the students manage to obtain the data from another Osbourne apparatus thus

delaying the making of the final report. However, the apparatus is still liable since the data

obtained agrees with the theories making the experiment valid.

6. RECOMMENDATIONS

It is highly recommended to thoroughly clean the apparatus after experiment to avoid

clogging. It can be cleanse by HCl but it will take a long time if not cleaned immediately. Also

the apparatus needs to be handle properly specially in the dye section. A small opening in the

valve controlling the dye is sufficient enough since the needle where the dye is release into the

fluid has very little hole. Over opening the valve causes the dye to overflow.

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7. REFERENCES

[1] https://www.academia.edu/18747082/CHE241_-

_Lab_Report_Solteq_Osborne_Reynolds_Demonstration_FM11_2015_?auto=download

[2] https://www.nuclear-power.net/nuclear-engineering/fluid-dynamics/reynolds-

number/

[3] https://www.britannica.com/science/Reynolds-number

[4] https://www.simscale.com/docs/content/simwiki/numerics/what-is-the-

reynolds-number.html

Acquired: February 24, 2018

8. APPENDICES

8.1 Table

Volume of Collection Volumetric Reynold’s

H2 O Time Flow rate Number

Trial Type of Flow
Collected Q
(sec) (NRe)
(mL) (m3/s)

1 655 15 4.3667E-05 6493.86194 Turbulent

2 590 15 3.9333E-05 5849.43289 Turbulent

3 310 15 2.0667E-05 3073.43084 Transient

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4 200 15 1.3333E-05 1982.85861 Laminar

5 150 15 0.00001 1487.14396 Laminar

Table 4.1

8.2 Computations

8.2.1 Volumetric flow rate

655 𝑚𝐿 1𝐿 1 𝑚3 3
𝑄1 = × × = 4.3667E − 05 𝑚 ⁄𝑠
15 𝑠 1000 𝑚𝐿 1000 𝐿

590 𝑚𝐿 1𝐿 1 𝑚3 3
𝑄2 = × × = 3.9333E − 05 𝑚 ⁄𝑠
15 𝑠 1000 𝑚𝐿 1000 𝐿

310 𝑚𝐿 1𝐿 1 𝑚3 3
𝑄3 = × × = 2.0667E − 05 𝑚 ⁄𝑠
15 𝑠 1000 𝑚𝐿 1000 𝐿

200 𝑚𝐿 1𝐿 1 𝑚3 3
𝑄4 = × × = 1.3333E − 05 𝑚 ⁄𝑠
15 𝑠 1000 𝑚𝐿 1000 𝐿

150 𝑚𝐿 1𝐿 1 𝑚3 3
𝑄5 = × × = 0.00001 𝑚 ⁄𝑠
15 𝑠 1000 𝑚𝐿 1000 𝐿

8.2.2Reynolds Number

4𝜌𝑄
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜋𝐷𝜇

Trial 1

𝑘𝑔
4𝑥(995.337 ⁄ 3 )4.3667E−05
𝑚
𝑁𝑅𝑒 = 𝑘𝑔 =6493.86194
𝜋(0.0254𝑚)0.3355×10−3 ⁄𝑚.𝑠

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Trial 2

𝑘𝑔
4𝑥(995.337 ⁄ 3 )3.9333E−05
𝑚
𝑁𝑅𝑒 = 𝑘𝑔 =5849.43289
𝜋(0.0254𝑚)0.3355×10−3 ⁄𝑚.𝑠

Trial 3

𝑘𝑔
4𝑥(995.337 ⁄ 3 )2.0667E−05
𝑚
𝑁𝑅𝑒 = 𝑘𝑔 =3073.43084
𝜋(0.0254𝑚)0.3355×10−3 ⁄𝑚.𝑠

Trial 4

𝑘𝑔
4𝑥(995.337 ⁄ 3 )1.3333E−05
𝑚
𝑁𝑅𝑒 = 𝑘𝑔 =1982.85861
𝜋(0.0254𝑚)0.3355×10−3 ⁄𝑚.𝑠

Trial 5

𝑘𝑔
4𝑥(995.337 ⁄ 3 )0.00001
𝑚
𝑁𝑅𝑒 = 𝑘𝑔 =1487.14396
𝜋(0.0254𝑚)0.3355×10−3 ⁄𝑚.𝑠

12