CE 319F - Laboratory #7 Laminar and Turbulent Flow

Objective Theory Laboratory Apparatus Procedures List of Figures: Fig. 7.1 - Lagrangian pathlines in turbulent flow Fig. 7.2 - Eulerian velocity distributions at different times Fig. 7.3 - Time history of Eulerian velocity at a point Fig. 7.4 - Osborne Reynolds Apparatus Fig. 7.5 - Sontex Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter Objective The objective of this laboratory experiment is to demonstrate the differences be tween laminar, turbulent, and transitional fluid flow, and the Reynold's numbers at which each occurs. Theory Fluid flow can be characterized as laminar, turbulent, or transitional. The dime nsionless Reynold's number (Re) can be used to determine the fluid flow conditio n. The Reynold's number is defined as where r = the fluid density, V = the velocity of the fluid, L = an important len gth dimension for the flow, m = the dynamic viscosity, and n = the kinematic vis cosity where n =m/r. For pipe flow, L is taken as the pipe diameter (D). Re can be interpreted as the ratio of the flow's inertial forces to its viscous forces. For large viscous forces (low Re, normally Re < 2000 for pipe flows), vi scous effects are great enough to damp any disturbances or perturbations in the flow and the flow remains laminar. Any combination of low velocity, small diamet er, or high kinematic viscosity which results in Re < 2000 for pipe flow will pr oduce laminar flow. The flow is called "laminar" because the flow takes place in layers. The only mixing that occurs is molecular mixing between the layers or b etween different parts of the flow. For large inertial forces (large Re, normall y Re > 4000 for pipe flows), there is not enough viscous damping to remove any d isturbances in the flow. Again, any combination of V, D, and n giving Re > 4000 will produce turbulent flow. As Re increases, the viscous damping of flow distur bances or perturbations decreases relative to the inertial effects. Because of a lack of viscous damping, disturbances are amplified until the entire flow break s down into in irregular motion. There is still a definite flow direction, but t here is an irregular motion superimposed on the average motion. Thus, for turbul ent flow in a pipe, the fluid is flowing in the downstream direction, but fluid particles have an irregular motion in addition to the average motion. This effec t is illustrated by the pathlines in Fig. 7.1; pathlines give a Lagrangian descr iption of flow. The turbulent fluctuations are inherently unsteady and three dim ensional. As a result, particles which pass though a given point in the flow do not follow the same path in turbulent flow even though they all are flowing gene rally downstream. Fig. 7.1 - Lagrangian pathlines in turbulent flow

Since the velocities of all fluid particles are continually changing, the Euleri an velocities at a point or at several points are also changing. This effect is shown in the next two figures. Fig. 7.2 shows the time averaged velocity distrib ution across a diameter of a pipe and then illustrates the unsteadiness in the t urbulent components of the velocities. Fig. 7.3 shows the time-averaged velocity at a point and the continual variation of instantaneous velocity due to the tur bulent fluctuations. Fig. 7.2 - Eulerian velocity distributions at different times Fig. 7.3 - Time history of Eulerian velocity at a point The instability or unsteadiness in turbulent flows is sometimes viewed as being due to parcels of fluid that are rotating in an irregular fashion as the fluid f lows. These rotating parcels of fluid are sometimes called billows or eddies. Ti me-lapse pictures of clouds moving across the sky illustrate the billowing or ed dy character of turbulent flows. Flows with 2000 < Re < 4000 are called transitional. The flow can be unstable an d the flow switch back and forth between turbulent and laminar conditions. This transitional flow was seen in the first lab with water flow from the 1/4 in. cop per tube. The pulsating jet of water from the end of the tube was an indication of the transitional flow with the flow switching back and forth between being la minar and turbulent.

Laboratory Apparatus Two types of equipment will be used in this laboratory. The first is called the Osborne Reynolds Apparatus (Fig. 7.4). This apparatus has a vertical tube throug h which water flows. The marbles in the water tank are to calm the inflow so the re will be no turbulence in the top tank to get into the flow tube in the tube. As the flow rate in the tube is changed, the Reynold's number changes since Re = VD/n = (Q/A)D/n = 4Q/(pDn). For Re < 2000, laminar flow exists and the streakli ne is a smooth, straight line. For higher flow rates with Re > 4000, the flow is turbulent. The dye streak then moves around in the tube in response to the unst eady turbulent fluctuations of velocities and the eddies in the turbulence. a) Photograph b) Dye streaks Fig. 7.4 - Osborne Reynolds Apparatus The second apparatus is an Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV), shown in Fig. 7.5 . The probe on the apparatus has three prongs or fingers. In the main probe sha ft, there is a sonic transmitter and three sonic receivers at the ends of the pr ongs. The receivers are focused on a small sampling or measurement volume 5 cm b elow the bottom of the prongs and straight down from the shaft of the probe. The emitted sonic pulses are reflected in all directions by very small solid partic les in the flow. The frequency of the reflected sound wave depends on the freque ncy of the emitted wave and the velocity of the particles that reflect the wave. The receivers and the signal analysis hardware and software provide all three C artesian velocity components at a frequency of 25 Hz, i.e., there are 25 measure ments of the three velocity components each second or one measurement every 40 m s. More information on the principles of operation can be obtained from http://w ww.sontek.com/princop/adv/advpo.htm. The probe is put into a small channel with water flow. The signal from the ADV for the longitudinal flow direction is simil ar to Fig. 7.3. The other two components fluctuate about a zero average velocity .

Fig. 7.5 - Sontex Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter Procedures For the Osborne Reynolds Apparatus, the out flow valve can be adjusted so that t here are different velocities in the pipe. For a low flow rate, the dye streak w ill be a straight smooth line. For this condition, there is laminar flow in the tube. The flow rate can be measured and the Reynold's number calculated from Re = 4Q/pDn. to verify that Re < 2000. The second experiment is similar to the first except with a larger flow rate so Re > 4000. For this turbulent flow, the dye streak will be unsteady and move abo ut laterally in the flow. The third experiment uses the ADV. It will be set into a water flow in a small o pen channel. The display of the instantaneous velocities will show the unsteadin ess in the turbulence and the inherent three dimensional nature of turbulence. I n addition, moving the probe vertically in the flow will show that the time-aver aged velocity is different at different vertical positions and that the turbulen t fluctuations of velocity are larger nearer to the boundary even though the tim e-averaged velocity is smaller.