KOFORIDUA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
OSBORNE REYNOLDS NUMBER EXPERIMENT

GROUP 1
NAME: KONOTEY FRANKLIN
INDEX NUMBER: 04/2018/2247D
COURSE: FLUID MECHANICS
 TABLE OF CONTENT
No. Title Page No.

1. Introduction …………………………………………… 2

2. Objective ……………………………………………… 3

3. Literature Review ……………………………………. 3

4. Theory ………………………………………………… 4‒5

5. Materials and Apparatus ……………………………… 6‒7

6. Methodology …………………………………………. 8

7. Data and Calculation ………………………………… 9 ‒ 10

8. Result ………………………………………………… 11

9. Challenges ………………............................................ 12

10. Modification …………………………………………. 12

11. Industrial Application ………………………………… 12

12. Discussion ……………………………………………. 12

13. Recommendations ……………………………………. 13

14. Conclusion …………………………………………… 13

15. Reference ……………………………………………. 13

1
TITLE: AN EXPERIMENT ON HYDRODYNAMIC

INTRODUCTION
The apparatus used here to demonstrate ‘critical velocity’ is base on that used by
Professor Reynolds who demonstrated the nature of the two modes of motion flowing in
a tube, example laminar and turbulent. The unit is designed to be mounted on P6100
hydraulic Bench and the quantity of water flowing through it can be measure and timed
using the Hydraulic Bench Volumetric tank and a suitable stopwatch. A bell mounted
glass tube 790 mm long overall by 16 mm bore is mounted vertically and concentrically
in a much larger diameter tube fitted with baffles. A uniform supply of water can then be
made to flow along the 0.06 mm bore tube. The unit is fitted with a constant head tank
and the flow rate which can be varied by adjustment to the tank height, can be measured
using the volumetric tank. A dye injector is situated at the entrance to the 16 mm bore
tube and thus it is possible to detect whether the flow is streamline or turbulent.
This experiment replicates the work done by Osborne Reynolds to characterized laminar,
transitional and turbulent flow in terms of the ‘’Reynolds Number’’ (ρvd/μ). The
Reynolds apparatus allows the experiment to visualize the flow and determine whether it
is laminar, transitional and turbulent. An overflow tank maintains a constant pressure
head on the bell mouth at the flow tube in order to visualize the flow. Flow rates (and
therefore average flow velocity, v) may be determined by collecting the liquid in a beaker
at the outlet, and recording the time it takes to fill a given volume. Moreover, the
apparatus should be leveled prior to beginning the experiment.

2
OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the Osborne Reynolds Experiment is to illustrate the flow liquid into laminar,
transitional and turbulent pipe flows and to determine the condition under which these types of
flow occurs. The examples of flow that we should get from the experiment are:

Laminar flow is the type of flow in which the particles move in a straight line in the form of a
thin parallel sheets known as the Laminar flow. Laminar flow denotes a steady condition where
all stream lines follow parallel paths. Under this condition, the dye will remain easily identifiable
as a solid core.

Turbulent flow is the type of flow in which the particles move in a zigzag pattern is known as
the turbulent flow. Turbulent flow denotes as unsteady condition where stream lines interact
causing shear plan collapse and mixing occurs. As the flow rate is increased, the transition from
laminar to turbulent flow is a gradual process. This zone of change is defined as transitional
flow. This will appear as a wandering dye stream prior to dispersion as turbulence occurs.

Transitional flow is when the flow changes from laminar to turbulent or vice versa a
disturbance is created, it is called as the transitional flow.

LECTERATURE REVIEW

In the experiment a fixed volume was used. The dye injector was lowered until it is seen in the
glass tube. The inlet valve, was opened and allowed water entered the stilling tank. A small
overflow spillage was ensured through the overflow tube to maintain a constant level. Water was
allowed to settle for a few minutes. The water flow was let through the visualizing tube. The dye
control valve, was slowly adjusted and slow flows with dye injection were achieved. The water
inlet valve, and outlet valve, were regulated until a straight identifiable dye line were achieved.
The flow was laminar. The flow rate at the outlet valve, were measured using volumetric method.
The experiment was repeated by regulating the flow rate until the laminar flow produced small
disturbance to achieve the turbulent flow. Again, the experiment was repeated again with the
turbulent flow and the flow rate was regulated to produce the transitional flow.

3
THEORY

The theory is named in honor of Osborne Reynolds, a British engineer who discovers the
variables that can be used as a criterion to distinguish between laminar and turbulent flow.

The Reynolds number is widely used dimensionless parameters in fluid mechanics.

Reynolds number formula:

𝑈𝑑
R= 𝑉

R = Reynolds number

U = Fluid velocity, (m/s)

L = characteristic length or diameter (m)

V = Kinematic viscosity (m/s)

Reynolds number R is independent of pressure

Pipe Flow Conditions

For water flowing in pipe or circular conduits, L is the diameter of the pipe. For Reynolds
number less than 2100, the pipe flow will be laminar. For Reynolds number from 2100 to 4000
the pipe flow will be considered a transitional flow. Turbulent occur when Reynolds number is
above 4000. The viscosity of the fluid also determines the characteristic of the flow becoming
laminar or turbulent. Fluid with higher viscosity is easier to achieve a turbulent flow condition.
The viscosity of fluid is also dependent on the temperature.

4
Laminar Flow

Laminar flow denoted a steady flow condition where all streamlines follow parallel paths, there
being no interaction (mixing) between shear planes. Under this condition the dye observed will
remain as a solid, straight and easily identifiable component of flow.

Transitional Flow

Transitional flow is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow with turbulence in the centre of the
pipe, and laminar flow near the edges. Each of these flows behaves in different manners in terms
of their frictional energy loss while flowing, and have different equations that predict their
behavior.

Turbulent Flow

Turbulent flow denotes an unsteady flow condition where streamlines interact causing shear
plane collapse and mixing of the fluid. In this condition the dye observed will become disperse in
the water and mix with the water. The observed dye will not be identifiable at this point.

5
MATERIAL AND APPARATUS

MATERIALS APPARATUS
 Water  Stop watch
 Dye  Hydraulic bench
 Beaker
 Reynolds Apparatus

1. REYNOLDS APPARATUS

6
2. A Stop watch

3. Reynolds apparatus

1. Dye reservoir, 2. Dye control valve, 3. Dye injector, 4. Head tank,

5. observable tube, 6. overflow tube, 7. Water Inlet valve, 8. Bell mouth

9. Water outlet valve.

7
METHODOLOGY

1. close the drain valve.

2. Fill the dye reservoir with ink.
3. Switch On the water supply by switching on the pump.
4. Carefully open the control valve,
5. Adjust the valve to produce a constant water level in the reservoir.
6. After a time, the observable tube is completely filled,
7. 0pen the outlet valve slightly to produce a low rate of flow into the observable tube. The
coloured waste water is directed down to the outlet valve,
8. A fine blue thread of stream indicating the laminar flow can be produced.
9. To produce a higher flow, open the drain valve wide. At a high Flow rate turbulent flow
occurs.

8
DATA AND CALCULATION

CONSTANT VALUES

Diameter of the observable tube: 0.01m

Area of the tube (D): 7.854 x 10‒ 5 m2

Kinematic viscosity: 0.911x 10‒ 6 m2/s.

CALCULATIONS

𝑽𝑶𝑳𝑼𝑴𝑬 (𝒎𝟑 )
Flow rate, Q =
𝑻𝑰𝑴𝑬 ( 𝒔 )

2.5 𝑥10−3
Q= 25

= 1 x10‒4

3 𝑥10−3
Q1 = 35

= 8.571 x10‒5

3.5 𝑥10−3
Q2 = 45

= 7.778 x10‒5

4.5 𝑥10−3
Q3 = 55

= 8.182 x10‒5

6 𝑥10−3
Q4 = 6

=9.231 x10‒5

9
 𝑸𝑫
Reynolds Number, Re =
𝑨𝑽

Where,

Re = Reynolds number

U = Fluid Velocity, (m/s)

D = Diameter (0.01m)

A = Area (7.854x10‒5)

V = Kinematic viscosity (0.911 x10‒6 m2/s)

1 𝑥10−4 𝑥 0.01
Re = (7.854𝑥10−5 ) (0.911𝑥10−6 )

= 13976.252

8.57 𝑥10−5 𝑥 0.01

Re = (7.854𝑥10−5 ) (0.911𝑥10−6 )

= 11979.046

7.778 𝑥10−5 𝑥 0.01

Re = (7.854𝑥10−5 ) (0.911𝑥10−6 )

= 10870.729

8.182𝑥10−5 𝑥 0.01
Re = (7.854𝑥10−5 ) (0.911𝑥10−6 )

= 11435.369

9.231 𝑥10−5 𝑥 0.01

Re = (7.854𝑥10−5 ) (0.911𝑥10−6 )

=12901.478

10
RESULTS

Volume (L) Volume (m3) Time (s) Q (m3/s) Re Classification

2.5 2.5 X10‒3 25 1 x10‒4 13976.252 Turbulent

3 3 X10‒3 35 8.571 x10‒5 11979.046 Turbulent

3.5 3.5 X10‒3 45 7.778 x10‒5 10870.729 Turbulent

4.5 4.5 X10‒3 55 8.182 x10‒5 11435.369 Turbulent

6 6 X10‒3 60 9.231 x10‒5 12901.478 Turbulent

11
CHALLENGES

 During the experiment, regulating the inlet valve was a challenge, causing the water to
overflow and recording wrong values.

MODIFICATION

 The inlet valve should be digital, to reduce the inflow of water into the water tank and
not to overflow.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

 This application can be done at the water companies

 It can be used in application of submarine

DISCUSSION

The experiment was carried out to study the characteristics of the flow of the liquid in the
pipe which is also used to determine the Reynolds Number for each state of the flow. The
experiment was also done to know and learn the behavior of the flow and also to calculate the
range for the laminar, transitional and turbulent flow. This experiment is carried out by using
Osborne Reynolds Apparatus to demonstrate it.

In this experiment, we observed that the red eye line change with the increasing of water
flowrate. The shape changes from thin threads to slightly swirling which still contains smooth
thin threads and then fully swirling. We can say that this change is from laminar flow to
transitional flow and then to turbulent flow and it is not occurring suddenly. We must control the
inlet valve, and outlet valve, until the flow formed.

The experiment should be conducted at a stable place. The outlet valve should be
controlled carefully to get long thin of laminar dye flow. The beaker should be removed
precisely when the time is up, to avoid error flow rate. It should be made sure that there is no
leakage in the equipment.

12
RECOMMENDATION

 The position of the eyes during taking the value of water volume of 300mL is not in the
same level with the readings. Therefore, the readings taken from the beaker should be
taken at eye level which is perpendicular to our eyes to avoid parallax error.
 The valve which control the injection of the dye must be regulated slowly and carefully.

CONCLUSION

The laminar flow occurs when the fluid is flowing slowly and the turbulent flow occurs when it
is flowing fast. In transitional flow, the flow switches between laminar and turbulent in a
disorderly fashion.

As the water flow rate increase, the Reynolds number calculated also increase and the dye line
change from thin thread to swirling in shape Laminar flow occurs when the Reynolds number
calculated is below than 2300; transitional flow occurs when Reynolds number calculated is
between 2300 and 4000 while turbulent flow occurs when Reynolds number calculated is above
4000.It is proved that the Reynolds equation is dimensionless, no units left after the calculation.

REFFERENCE

1. Structural, T., System, M., Smsd, D., & Yong, I. (2015). Theory & Methodology,
(10025972), 3–5.
2. Sustainability, E. (2015). Osborne Reynolds Demonstration, (1), 1–36.
3. Osborne Reynolds Demonstration. (2015), (1), 1–36.

13