Reynolds Number

NIKKA NISSA Z. LOPEZ

Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture
Cebu Institute of Technology University
N. Bacalso Ave. Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

Abstract
The purpose of this experiment is to illustrate the different regimes of flow: laminar,
transitional, and turbulent pipe flows, and relate these regimes of flow to the calculated
Reynolds Number, , as a function of volumetric flow rate. This experiment is
performed by introducing a fine steady stream of dye in a transparent vertical pipe with
a flow rate of fluid (water) controlled by a valve. It is found that at low volumetric flow
rates of fluid with of 575.703, a well-defined streak-line stream of dye pattern is
formed. When the fluid is moving at intermediate volumetric flow rates, manifestation
of irregularities in the streak-line is observed but this remained defined. However, when
the volumetric flow rate is high with of 4915.599, the streak-line became dispersed.
This simply denotes that the streak-line formed by injecting the dye depends highly on
the volumetric flow rate.

1. Introduction

Reynolds number is a criterion of whether fluid (liquid or gas) flow is

absolutely steady (streamlined, or laminar) or on the average steady with small
unsteady fluctuations (turbulent). Whenever the Reynolds number is less than about
2,000, flow in a pipe is generally laminar, whereas, at values greater than 2,000, flow
is usually turbulent. The transition between laminar and turbulent flow occurs not at
a specific value of the Reynolds number but in a range usually beginning between
1,000 to 2,000 and extending upward to between 3,000 and 5,000.

The transition from laminar to turbulent flow in a pipe depends upon on

the average velocity of flow times the diameter of the tube times the mass density
of the fluid divided by its absolute viscosity. This mathematical dimensionless
number became known as the Reynolds number and was subsequently applied to
other types of flow.

The goal of this experiment is to determine the Reynolds Number, , as

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

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Materials and Apparatus

Osbourne Reynolds Number Apparatus

Dye

Thermometer

Stopwatch

1 Liter Graduated Cylinder

1 Digital CameraMethods

2.2 Methods
The diameter of the pipe is determined for the computation of the cross
sectional area of the pipe. The temperature of the water is also determined to find
out its viscosity and density. The dye reservoir is mounted on top of the head tank.
The head tank is continuously supplied with water from the faucet at the same time
the control valve found at the end of the visualization pipe is opened. The flow is
stabilized for 30 seconds or more. The dye is slowly introduced by adjusting the dye
control valve. The behavior of the dye is observed. An amount of water for each
change observed from the dye inside the pipe is collected and measured using
beaker. The time of the collection is noted. The volumetric flow rate of water is
observed and its corresponding Reynolds number during the course of the change
from Laminar-Transition flow and Turbulent- Transition flow. A picture of the dye
behavior is taken for each analysis to support the computed Reynolds number.

2.3 Sketch

Figure 1.0 Vertical Reynolds Apparatus

Legend:
1 Faucet

6 - Collection Tank

2 - Head Tank

7 - Dye Reservoir

3 Pebbles

8 - Dye Control Valve

4 - Visualization Pipe

9 - Overflow Pipe

5 - Pipe Control Valve

10 - Dye Needle

3. Results

Table 1.0 Volumetric flow rates as a function of Reynolds Number,

Trial Volumetric flow rate (m3/s) Velocity of water (m/s)

Type of Flow

0.000003267327

0.064502

575.7

Laminar Flow

0.00000535895

0.105793

944.25

Laminar Flow

0.0000126543

0.249814

2229.7

Transient Flow

0.0000172447

0.340434

3038.5

Transient Flow

0.0000175595

0.346649

3094

Transient Flow

0.0000201493

0.397774

3550.3

Transient Flow

0.0000278978

0.550742

4915.6 Turbulent Flow

0.0000377649

0.745532

6654.2 Turbulent Flow

0.0000549077

1.083954

9674.7 Turbulent Flow

Table 1.0 shows the volumetric flow rates of fluid (water) as a function of
Reynolds number. Nine trials with increasing volumetric flow rates are
performed to investigate the different regimes of flow. V Laminar flow is found
at two first trials at low volumetric flow rate. As the flow rate increases, the
transition of flow from laminar-to-turbulent is observed until such turbulent flow
is obtained.

Figure 2.0 Different Regimes of Flow from Laminar-Transition-Turbulent Flow

Figure 2 shows the different regimes of flow from Laminar-TransitionTurbulent flow. These pictures were taken during the Reynolds Number
experiment. In the first two pictures, a streak-line pattern is observed which
characterized the laminar flow. The 3rd to the 6th pictures shows the transition
region in which the dye pattern became wavy. In the last three photos, dye
became dispersed.

4. Discussion
When a fluid flows through a tube or pipe, flow pattern varies with
respect to the flow rates (volumetric). This experiment investigates the influence of
flow rate of fluid as a function of Reynolds Number to the characterization of type of
flow in a pipe. It is found that low flow rates the steady filament of dye remained at
the axis of the tube which indicates that the flow patterns are smooth and parallel to
the streams which never interfered with each other. Such flow is called laminar flow
as characterized by the absence of lateral mixing. At intermediate flow rates, the dye
pattern became wavy but still visible. This is the transition region of laminarturbulent flow. However as the flow rate is increased, the dye pattern broke up into
eddies causing dispersion across the pipe section. This flow is turbulent flow,
characterized by the rapid and erratic movement of fluid as currents in all directions
and angles to the normal line of flow.

As shown in plotted graph Reynolds Number vs. Volumetric Flow rate

the flow rate of a fluid is directly proportional to the Reynolds Number. This only
denotes that as the flow rate increases so is the Reynolds Number.

5. Conclusion
The Reynolds Number of each volumetric flow rates is calculated. The
relationship of Reynolds Number to the volumetric Flow rates is directly
proportional. That is, as volumetric flow rates increases so is the Reynolds
Number.

Different regimes of flows are observed, laminar flow and turbulent flow,
and these have a relation with the Reynolds Number. Laminar Flow is found to
have a Reynolds Number approximately less than 2100 whereas turbulent has a
Reynolds Number of greater than 4000.

Reference
1.

Per Olsson, (2014). Transport Phenomena in Newtonian Fluids- A Concise

Primer. 1st ed. New York: Springer.

2. Christie John Geankoplis, (2003). Principles of Transport Process and Separation

Process. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.,.
3. Warren McCabe, Julian Smith and Peter Harriot, (1993). Unit Operations of

Chemical Engineering. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc.,.

Appendix A Formulae

For Reynolds Number Computation:

Eqn(A.1)

Where:
D= circular pipe diameter = 0.008 m
A = area of circular pipe = 5.02655 x 10 -5m2
= viscosity of water (H20) at 25 0C = 0.8937 x 10 -3 kg/ms
= density of water (H20) at 25 0C = 997.08 kg / m 3

Appendix B Experimental Data

Table B.1 The Increasing Volumetric Flow rates
Trial Volume of water collected (ml) Collection time (s) Volumetric flowrate (m3/s) 1

33

10.1

0.000003267327

53

9.89

0.000005358948

123

9.72

0.000012654321

179

10.38

0.000017244701

177

10.08

0.000017559524

202.5

10.05

0.000020149254

284

10.18

0.000027897839

392

10.38

0.000037764933

565

10.29

0.000054907677

Type of Flow: NRe < 2100 = Laminar Flow

2100 NRe 4000 = Transition Region (Transient Flow)
NRe > 4000 = Turbulent Flow

Appendix C Data Plot

NRE vs Volumetric Flow rate

12000

Reynolds Number

10000

y = 2E+08x
R = 1

8000

6000

4000

2000

0
0

0.00001

0.00002
0.00003
0.00004
Volumetric Flow rate m3/s

0.00005

Figure C.1 Reynolds Number Vs Volumetric Flow rate

0.00006