Hydraulics (9049) Experiment No.

EXPERIMENT No.4
1.0 Title:
To identify the type of flow by using Reynolds Apparatus.
2.0 Prior concepts:
Density, viscosity, discharge.
1.0 New concepts:
Proposition 1: Reynold’s number.
Reynolds number ‘Re’ is the ratio of inertia force to the viscous force where viscous
force Is the product of shear stress and area inertia force is the product of mass and
acceleration.
Inertia force
Re =
Viscous force

pVD
Re =
µ
Where,
Re = Reynolds number
V = Velocity of fluid (m/s)
D = Diameter of Pipe (m)
µ = Co-efficient of Dynamic viscosity (N – s/m2 )
1.0 Learning Objectives :
Intellectual skill:
1.To know the concept of Reynolds number.
2.To know and identify the types of flow laminar, turbulent and transition.
Motor skill:
1.Ability to measure the dimensions of measuring tank.
2.Ability to observe dye filament to clarify the type of flow.
3.Ability to operate valves gradually and carefully.
4.To measure actual discharge and recording observations.
2.0 Apparatus :
1.Reynolds’s apparatus which consists glass tube, water tank and a small dye container at the
top of tank.
2.Potassium permanganate (dye).
3.Thermometer.
4.Measuring tank.
5.Stop watch.

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Hydraulics (9049) Experiment No. 4

3.0 Diagram :
Inlet control valve Dye Tank
Control valve for dye
Pipe Control valve
Tank
Glass pipe

Measuring Tank

Piezometer
Piezometer
Waste
Dye line
Control valve
a) Laminar

b) Transition

c) Turbulent

Type of flow can be decided by using the limits of Reynolds number as given below.

Type of flow Reynolds Number

Pipe flow Canal flow
Laminar flow < 2000 < 500
Transition flow 2000 to 4000 500 to 2000
Turbulent > 4000 > 2000
4.0 Stepwise Procedure :
1. Measure dia of pipe and Room Temperature.
2. Fill the tank with water by keeping outlet of glass tube partly opened so that no air
is entrapped in the glass tube.
3. When the tank is full close the outlet valve of glass tube and inlet valve of the tank.
4. Allow the water in the tank to come to the state of rest and no disturbance.
5. Maintain constant level of water by opening both inlet valve of tank and outlet valve
of the glass tube partly so that velocity of flow is very small.
6. Allow the dye from the dye ejector in to the flow.
7. Allow a certain volume of water to be collected in the measuring tank and
Simultaneously start the stop watch and hence compute the discharge.
8. Gradually increase the velocity of flow and measure the discharge.
9. Take six readings till the dye get differed in the flow of water.
10. Repeat the experiment with the decreasing rate of flow.

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Hydraulics (9049) Experiment No. 4

5.0 Observations:
1.Inner diameter of glass tube, D = ……………………..
pD2
2.Cross – sectional area of glass tube = A=
4
3.Mass density of water = p=………………..
4.Average Room temperature= ……………………….
5.Dynamic viscosity of water at room temp = µ = ……………………
6.Area of tank = l x b = ……………………….
7.Name of dye used = ……………………….

Observation Table
Table for Calculating Reynolds number

Volume Time (t) Discharge Velocity Re= Type of

Run (Q) V = Q/A pVD flow
No m /sec
3
m/s µ
m3 Sec

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Hydraulics (9049) Experiment No. 4

6.0 Sample calculation

pVD
Re = = …………………………………
µ

1. For Run no.1 Re………… Type of flow is ………….

2. For Run no.2 Re………… Type of flow is ………….
3. For Run no.3 Re………… Type of flow is ………….
4. For Run no.4 Re………… Type of flow is ………….
7.0 Conclusion:
1.As velocity of flow increases Reynolds number………………(Increases decreases).
2.Teacher shall guide the student to wirte the conclusion keeping in veiw skills
aquired and results obtained.)
…..........…………………………………………………………………………………………
…..........…………………………………………………………………………………………
…..........…………………………………………………………………………………………
…..........…………………………………………………………………………………………
8.0 Questions :
Write answers to Q…..Q…..Q…..Q…. ( Teacher shall allot the questions)
1.Define Reynolds number.
2.Define viscosity of fluid.
3.What is critical velocity?
4.Give any two Practical Examples of laminar and Turbulent flow.
5.Give any four names of dye used in Reynolds Experiment.
6.Can we able to use the concept of Reynolds number for open channels?
7.Is there any change in the limitation of Reynolds number between pipe flow and canal flow?
8.State the difference between laminar flow and Turbulent flow.
9.Name the type of flow for a flow of Reynolds number 2500.
10.What is the application of Reynolds number other than type of flow ?

( Space for Answers )

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Hydraulics (9049) Experiment No. 4

( Space for Answers )

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