RENOLDS EXPERIMENT

ENSC3003

APRIL 24, 2013 [WENESDAY 9AM LAB]

FABIEN FERNANDEZ
20375941
RESULTS

Run (Cylinder)(cm) (Cylinder)(cm) (manometer)(cm) observation

1 20 23.9 120 1.5 laminar

2 20 30 72.82 4.3 laminar

3 20 50 42.34 26.2 laminar

4 20 50 34.82 44.4 Transitional

5 20 50 31.7 46 Transitional

6 30 60 38.12 39.1 Transitional

7 20 50 24.81 72.7 Turbulent

8 20 60 35.28 67.7 Turbulent

9 20 50 27.25 64.6 Turbulent

10 20 50 23.71 80.3 Turbulent

11 20 50 23.75 81.8 Turbulent

12 20 50 23.84 82.4 Turbulent

 1) Derive the equation that relates the velocity in the tube (U) to the rate of change of height in
the discharge cylinder (H/t).

Since system is closed, , meaning

2) Given that the specific gravity of kerosene is 0.78, determine the pressure difference at the
bottom of the two manometer tubes as a function of the manometer reading (h). Using
this expression for the pressure difference, derive the equation that relates the manometer
reading (h) to the friction head loss ( ) between the measuring points in the tube.

( )
( )
( ) ( )
 3) Calculate the Reynolds number and moody friction factor of each run. Plot your results on
the moody diagram provided below and use them to obtain an estimate for the roughness
of the tube ( ). Include the moody diagram in your report.

( )

Run Reynolds Number Moody Friction Factor

1 277.1 0.722
2 1170.8 0.116
3 6041.2
4 7345.9
5 8069
6 6710
7 10309
8 9666.9
9 9386.6
10 10788
11 10770
12 10729
Plotting the points (see attached image) shows that the results nowhere near any of the lines of best
fit , making it very difficult to interpolate or estimate the relative roughness. It seems to approach
approx. 0 (obviously this is not possible see errors)

4) For the repeated run, you should have 3 sets of results for exactly the same experimental
conditions. Use this data to estimate the uncertainty in your quote Re and values. In this
experiment, what are the largest sources of uncertainty?

Using runs 10-12 gives:

Mean Reynolds of: 10762.3 and Mean moody friction of: 0.0260

Taking largest difference points within the 3 runs for the maximum uncertainty gives an uncertainty
error of:
( ) ( )
The Largest error by far in the experiment would come from the manometer readings due to the
accuracy required, the possibility of human error and the slow fluctuations that occur this is
demonstrated by the much larger difference in the moody friction factor when compared to the
Reynolds number.

Majority of the error in this experiment is from human error , required for timing the flow , reading
the manometer and judging whether the flow is laminar turbulent or transitional. There may have
also been faulty equipment

5) Discuss the relationship between the visual dye indicator observations and your estimated
Reynolds numbers. What do your results suggest is the critical Reynolds number range for
flow in this tube?

Traditionally with a pipe of infinite length:

( )
( )
( )

Our results seem to suggest that a Reynolds number of:

( )
( )

We can conclude this because of the observed type of flow using the dye. These results however
are highly flawed as transitional flows required some level of human judgment. It could also be the
result of faulty equipment or the fact that the pipe is/was not very long

6) Describe the distinguishing features of laminar and turbulent pipe flows.

Lamina flow:

- Parallel layers
- No disruption or interaction between layers
- No lateral mixing , cross currents , eddies or swirls
- Generally happens at lower velocities

Turbulent flow:

- Chaotic in nature no single point would take the same path way
- Irregular and erratic
- mixing
- No clear path , pattern or layer
- Velocity of each particle changing direction and magnitude