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Fluid Mechanics Lab Exp # 4

This experiment aims to observe laminar, transitional, and turbulent pipe flow using an Osborne Reynolds apparatus. Key components of the apparatus are identified. The procedure involves gradually increasing water flow rate through the pipe using control valves and measuring the flow rate to calculate the Reynolds number. Observations of dye flow patterns are made to classify the flow regime as laminar, transitional, or turbulent based on Reynolds number thresholds. Flow behavior changes from a straight dye line to swirling as the Reynolds number increases due to changing dominance of fluid forces.

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Furqan Ahmad
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83 views6 pages

Fluid Mechanics Lab Exp # 4

This experiment aims to observe laminar, transitional, and turbulent pipe flow using an Osborne Reynolds apparatus. Key components of the apparatus are identified. The procedure involves gradually increasing water flow rate through the pipe using control valves and measuring the flow rate to calculate the Reynolds number. Observations of dye flow patterns are made to classify the flow regime as laminar, transitional, or turbulent based on Reynolds number thresholds. Flow behavior changes from a straight dye line to swirling as the Reynolds number increases due to changing dominance of fluid forces.

Uploaded by

Furqan Ahmad
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LAB SESSION #4

EXPERIMENT #4
OBJECTIVE:
To Observe Laminar, Transitional and Turbulent Pipe Flow.

APPARATUS:
 Osborne Reynold Apparatus
1. Drain Valve
2. Waste Water Discharge
3. Test Pipe Section
4. Glass Ball Layer
5. Metering Tape
6. Brass Inflow Tip
7. Metering Tape
8. Aluminum Reservoir for Ink
9. Water Tank
10.Overflow Section
11.Control Valve
12.Water Supply
13.Base Plate
 Hydraulic Bench
 Stop Watch

Osborne Reynold Apparatus

Description:
⁋ Position the Reynolds apparatus on a fixed, vibration-free
surface (not on the hydraulics bench), and ensure that the
base is horizontal and the test section is vertical.
⁋ Connect the bench outflow to the head tank inlet pipe.

⁋ Place the head tank overflow tube in the volumetric tank of

the hydraulics bench.

⁋ Attach a small tube to the apparatus flow control valve and


clamp it to a fixed position in a sink in the lab, allowing enough
space below the end of the tube to insert a measuring cylinder.
The outflow should not be returned to the volumetric tank
since it contains dye and will taint the flow visualisation.

Theory:

Flow behavior in natural or artificial systems depends on which forces (inertia,


viscous, gravity, surface tension, etc.) predominate. In slow-moving laminar
flows, viscous forces are dominant, and the fluid behaves as if the layers are
sliding over each other. In turbulent flows, the flow behavior is chaotic and
changes dramatically, since the inertial forces are more significant than the
viscous forces.

In this experiment, the dye injected into a laminar flow will form a clear well-
defined line. It will mix with the water only minimally, due to molecular
diffusion. When the flow in the pipe is turbulent, the dye will rapidly mix with
the water, due to the substantial lateral movement and energy exchange in the
flow. There is also a transitional stage between laminar and turbulent flows, in
which the dye stream will wander about and show intermittent bursts of
mixing, followed by a more laminar behavior.
The Reynolds experiment determines the critical Reynolds number for pipe
flow at which laminar flow (Re<2000) becomes transitional (2000<Re<4000)
and the transitional flow becomes turbulent (Re>4000).
Procedure:

Start the pump, slightly open the apparatus flow control


valve and the bench valve, and allow the head tank to fill
with water. Make sure that the flow visualisation pipe is
properly filled. Once the water level in the head tank
reaches the overflow tube, adjust the bench control valve to
produce a low overflow rate.
Ensuring that the dye control valve is closed, add the blue
dye to the dye reservoir until it is about 2/3 full.

Attach the needle, hold the dye assembly over a lab sink,
and open the valve to ensure that there is a free flow of dye.

Close the dye control valve, then mount the dye injector on
the head tank and lower the injector until the tip of the
needle is slightly above the bell mouth and is centered on
its axis.

Adjust the bench valve and flow control valve to return the
overflow rate to a small amount, and allow the apparatus
to stand for at least five minutes

Adjust the flow control valve to reach a slow trickle outflow,


then adjust the dye control valve until a slow flow with clear
dye indication is achieved.

Measure the flow volumetric rate by timed water collection.

Observe the flow patterns, take pictures, or make hand


sketches as needed to classify the flow regime.
Increase the flow rate by opening the flow control valve.
Repeat the experiment to visualize transitional flow and
then, at higher flow rates, turbulent flow, as characterized by
continuous and very rapid mixing of the dye. Try to observe
each flow regime two or three times, for a total of eight
readings.

As the flow rate increases, adjust the bench valve to keep the
water level constant in the head tank.

Observation and Calculation:

The values are obtained by using the following formulas. Note the diameter
and convert the values into appropriate units.

Laminar flow Re<_ 2300

Transitional flow 2300<Re<4000

Turbulent flow Re>4000

Pipe diameter =10 mm

m2
-6
Water temperature is Water kinematic viscosity =1× 10
sec

π 2
Area of Pipe = 4 d = 7.85*10-5m2

v
Discharge = Q = t

Q
Velocity = w= A

wd
Reynolds number = γ
Table 1:
Sr. No Volume Time Flow Rate Velocity wd
Re= r
(L) (sec) V V= Q/A
Q= t
1
2
3
4
5
6

Graph:

Conclusions:
 As water flow rate is increasing, the Reynolds number will automatically
increase as well, and the red dye line change from straight line to
swirling streamline.
 It is proven that Reynolds number is dimensionless, since no unit is
representing the value of Reynolds number.
 Laminar flow is obtained if the Reynolds number is less than 2300;
meanwhile the Reynolds number for turbulent flow is more than 4000
 The Reynolds number for transition flow is in between 2300 until 4000.

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