Bicol University

College of Engineering
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
A.Y. 2016-2017

FOR : Engr. John Raymond B. Barajas

Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering
FROM : Neil Dominic D. Careo, Glanelle Ivy S. Cea
BSChE 4
SUBJECT : Momentum Transfer
DATE : March 31, 2017

Improvised Reynolds Apparatus for Laminar, Transitional, and

Turbulent Flow Determination of Fluids
I. Introduction
The flow of real fluids can basically occur under two very different regimes, namely
laminar and turbulent flow. The laminar flow is characterized by fluid particles moving in
the form of lamina sliding over each other, such that at any instant the velocity at all the
points in particular lamina is the same. The lamina near the flow boundary move at a
slower rate as compared to those near the center of the flow passage. This type of flow
occurs in viscous fluids, fluids moving at slow velocity and fluids flowing through narrow
passages. The turbulent flow, on the other hand is characterized by constant agitation
and intermixing of fluid particles such that their velocity changes from point to point and
even at the same point from time to time. This type of flow occurs in low density fluids,
flow through wide passage and in high velocity flows.

Reynolds conducted an experiment for observation and determination of these

regimes of flow. By introducing a fine filament of dye in to the flow of water through the
glass tube, at its entrance he studied the different types of flow. At low velocities, the dye
filament appeared as straight line through the length of the tube and parallel to its axis,
characterizing laminar flow. As the velocity is increased the dye filament becomes wavy
throughout indicating transition flow. On further increasing the velocity the filament breaks
up and diffuses completely in the water in the glass tube indicating the turbulent flow.
 Reynolds concluded that the parameters which were involved in the flow
characteristics were:

the density of the fluid kg/m3

v the velocity of the flow of the fluid m/s
d Diameter of pipe m
the coefficient of viscosity of the fluid Ns/m2

He arrived at a dimensionless constant (Reynolds number)

The value of which was concerned with the fluid motion. Fluid motion was found
to be laminar for Re numbers below 2100, turbulent flows for Re greater than 4000, and
transitional for Reynolds number in between.

II. Objectives

The main objective of this study is to determine the characteristic flow of the liquid,
whether it is laminar, turbulent or transitional fluid flow, in the improvised Reynolds
apparatus which is also used to determine the Reynolds number for each state of flow.
III. Methodology
A. Apparatus

Osbourne Reynolds Apparatus consisting of:

Dye Injection Vessel

Water Inlet
Dye Injector
Clear Glass Tube
Baffles
Overflow pipe
Discharge Valve
Head Height measurement
Water Storage tank
B. Materials:

Name Specifications Quantity

Beaker 500 ml 2
Beaker 1L 2
Thermometer - 1
Dye 500 ml
Stop Watch 1

C. Procedure

Setting up the apparatus

The tank in the apparatus was filled with water while keeping the discharge
valve closed first. After the tank was full, a purple liquid dye was then mounted into
the dye injector to start the experiment.

Measuring the Volumetric Flow Rate and Velocity

The flow rate of water was measured through the apparatus and achieved
by collecting a sample of discharged water after an interval of 10 seconds and
measured using 1 L beakers. The recorded volume of water was then divided by
the time of 10 seconds. The resulting volumetric flow rate was divided by the cross-
sectional area of the glass pipe. Thus, the fluids velocity was calculated.
 Viscosity and Density of Fluid
The temperature of the water used was measured by a thermometer. The
recorded temperature was used to determine the viscosity and density of the fluid.

Demonstration of the difference between laminar and turbulent

This experiment demonstrated the visually laminar (streamline) flow and its
transition to turbulent flow at a particular velocity.

1. The apparatus is set up with the dye transparent tube and filled, and with a steady
flow of water through the inner tube.

2. A needle connected to the transparent tube was used to permit dye to flow from
the nozzle at the entrance to the channel. The colored dye will be visible along the
passage. If the dye accumulates around the nozzle, the velocity of the water flow
in the passage has to be increased or regulate the flow from the dye reservoir. The
adjustments of the dye flow are made up by using the tube outlet tap.

3. The stream will be visible along the whole length of the passage under laminar
flow conditions. If it not so, the water flow is reduced until continuous stream of dye
is visible along the passage.

4. The water flow rate is increased by raising the height of the variable head tank and
the condition of the fluid in the channel carefully note, for example, the streamline
and turbulent. The height of head tank is increased until instability of water flow
leading to the breakup of the dye system is occurred.

5. The break up position in the passage is noted and the corresponding value of the
flow rate is measured by timing the collection of known amount of water in the
volumetric measuring tank.
 6. The dose is maintained and the observation of the passage is continued further
increasing the flow rate until the whole system is turbulent with no visible dye
stream at any point.

IV. Results and Discussion

Trial # Reynolds Number Type of flow

1 1,015.18 Laminar
2 1,487.45 Laminar
3 2,379.60 Transitional
4 3,849.58 Transitional
5 8,223.02 Turbulent
6 11,199.51 Turbulent

Calculations:

Diameter of the glass tube: 0.0760 m

1 1
Therefore, = 4 2 = 4 (0.0760)2 = 2.268x10-3 m2

Reynolds number (dimensionless constant)

Q = (m/s)

Q = volumetric flowrate = volume s= time

V=

V=Velocity
A=Area of the pipe

NRe =

Where,
= density (kg/m) d = diameter (m)
V = velocity (m/s) = viscosity (kg/ms)
The temperature reading is 22 degrees Celsius. Thus,
Water density, = 997.8 kg/m
Water viscosity, = 9.554 x10-4 Pa-s
Trial No. Velocity (m/s) Type of flow
Re =

1 V(ml)= 290 ml 997.8(0.0760 )( 0.01279)

Re=
V(m) = 2.9 x 10-4 m 9.554 x104

Q = (2.9 x 10-4 m)/10s = 1,015.18 Laminar

= 2.9 x 10-5 m/s
2.9 x 105 m3 /s
Velocity =
2.268x103
= 0.01279 m/s
2 V(ml)= 425 ml 997.8(0.0760 )( 0.01874 )
Re=
V(m) = 4.25x10-4 m3 9.554 x104
4.25x104 m3 = 1,487.45 Laminar
Q= 10

= 4.25x10-5 m3/s
4.25x105 m3 /s
Velocity =
2.268x103
=0.01874 m/s
3 V(ml)= 680 ml 997.8(0.0760 )(0.02998 )
Re=
V(m) =6.8x10-4 m3 9.554 x104
6.8x104 m3 = 2,379.60 Transitional
Q= = 6.8x10-5
10
m3/s
6.8x105 m3 /s
Velocity =
2.268x103
=0.02998 m/s
4 V(ml)= 1100 ml 997.8(0.0760 )(0.0485 )
Re=
V(m) = 1.1x10-3 m3 9.554 x104

1.1x103 m3 = 3,849.58 Transitional

Q= = 1.1x10-4 m3/s
10
1.1x104 m3 /s
Velocity =
2.268x103
=0.0485 m/s
 Trial No. Velocity (m/s) Type of flow
Re =

5 V(ml)= 2350 ml 997.8(0.0760 )(0.1036 )

Re=
V(m) = 2.35x10-3 m3 9.554 x104

2.35x103 m3 = 8,223.02 Turbulent

Q=
10
= 2.35x10-4 m3/s
2.35x104 m3/s
Velocity =
2.268x103
=0.1036 m/s
6 V(ml)= 3,200ml 997.8(0.0760 )(0.1411m )
Re=
V(m) = 3.2x10-3 m3 9.554 x104

3.2x103 m3 = 11,199.51 Turbulent

Q=
10
= 3.2x10-4 m3/s
3.2x104 m3 /s
Velocity =
2.268x103
=0.1411m/s

Discussion

The experiment was carried out to determine the characteristic flow of the fluid in
the improvised Reynolds apparatus which is also used to determine the Reynolds
number for each state of flow.

The above calculations show that the slower the velocity of the fluid is, the lesser
is its corresponding Reynolds number.

For trial 1, during a 10-second interval of liquid drop off from the apparatus, 290
mL of water-dye solution was collected. This volume was used to calculate the velocity of
the fluid. Guided by the equation on how to compute for the Reynolds number, a value
of 1,015.18 was obtained. Since the value is less than 2,100, the flow is considered
laminar. The same applies to trial 2.
 For trials 3 and 4, the obtained volumes from the 10-second liquid drop off from
the apparatus were relatively higher compared to trials 1 and 2. These volumes indicate
faster velocity thus resulting to a higher Reynolds number. The calculated NRe values for
trials 3 and 4 were 2,379.60 and 3,849.58 respectively. Since both values ranges from
2,100 and 4,000, the fluid flow is considered to be transitional.

For trials 5 and 6, the velocities of the fluid were much higher compared to the first
four set-ups. A Reynolds number of 8,223.02 and 11,199.51 were calculated from trials
5 and 6 respectively. Since the values are over 4,000, the fluid flow is considered to be
turbulent.

V. Conclusion
Laminar flow is the type of fluid flow in which particles move in a straight line in the
form of thin parallel sheets. This flow denotes a steady condition where all stream lines
follow parallel paths. The dye under this condition remains identifiable as a solid core.
The calculated Reynolds number for laminar flow is always less than 2,100.

As the velocity is increased, a disturbance in the flow is created in which the

resulting Reynolds number may range from 2,100<NRe <4,000. This type of flow is
considered to be transitional.

Gradual increase in volumetric flowrates gradually influences the Reynolds

number as well. Fluids with Reynolds number greater than 4,000 is considered turbulent.
Turbulent flow denotes unsteady conditions where streamlines interact causing shear
plans to collapse and mixing occurs.

VI. Recommendation

To further enhance the study, it is recommended for future researchers to install a

functional pump which will regulate the volumetric flow rate of fluid in the apparatus. The
amount of water and dye should also be controlled and continuously supplied to obtain
accurate results for all set-ups.
VII. Appendix

A. Reynolds Apparatus

B. Laminar Flow
 C. Turbulent Flow

D. Transitional Flow