University of Zakho

Collage of engineering
Mechanical department

Identifying the Type of Flow Pattern

by using Reynolds Number

Experiment No. 7
By :Mohammed Amin Abdo
Second stage
Group :B
Date of
Date of
1- Purpose
The purpose of this test is to estimate the type of flow patterns (laminar, transition, or
turbulent) by applying the Reynolds (Re) equation.
2- Theory
The scientific meaning of Reynolds number (Re) is s the ratio between the viscous forces in
a fluid and the inertial forces.
Viscous force is a shear stress multiplied by area (𝜏 ∗ 𝐴).
Inertia force is a mass multiplied by acceleration (m*a).
The mathematical formulation of Re is:
𝜌𝑣𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = .
𝜇
Where 𝜌 the density of the flow (kg/m3) is, 𝑣 is flow velocity (m/s), 𝐷 the pipe diameter
(m), 𝜇 is dynamic viscosity (N.s/m 2), and Re is Reynolds number.
Reynolds number is an effective dimensionless number is used frequently in fluid mechanics
to predict the flow patterns of the different flow situations. At low Reynolds numbers, flows
tend to be laminar (sheet-like) flow, while at high Reynolds numbers turbulence results from
differences in the fluid's speed and direction.

3- Apparatus
The apparatus of Reynolds‘s number test consists of glass tube of one end with a bell mouth
entrance and connected to the water tank. A cock situated at the other glass tube end to
provide flow controlling. A small dye container as shown in the figure is fixed at the top of
tank.
1. Visible reddish color streak.
2. Thermometer.
3. Small fluid container.
4. A container to measure the volumetric flow rate.
5. Stop watcher.
4- The Test Procedure
I. Measure the pipe diameter, container size
and the temperature of the fluid.
II. Open the main valve and fill the tank of
apparatus with water and close all valves as
the tank is full.
III. Open the two valves partly to promote a few
amount of water interring the glass with low
velocity with keeping an eye that the water
in the tank is fairly constant.
IV. Open the dye injector to coloring the water
flow, and measure the flow rate and velocity.
V. Increase the flow velocity and again measure
the flow rate, and take at least six readings to
cover the three patterns types (laminar,
transition and turbulent).
 No. Volume Time Volumetric Velocity 𝑅𝑒 Type of flow pattern
(m3) (s) flowrate Q/A 𝜌𝑣𝐷
= Calculate Observed
3
(Q) (m /s) (m/s) 𝜇
by .Re by eye
No
1 115x10^-6 43.22 2.9x10^-6 0.03 351.06 Laminar Translation
2 168x10^-6 10.43 1.6x10^-5 0.16 1872 Laminar Turbulent
3 158x10^-6 41.30 3.82x10^-6 0.04 468 Laminar Laminar
4 172x10^-6 5.74 3.16x10^-5 0.33 3861 laminal Turbulent
5 170x10^-6 32 5.31x10^-6 0.139 17179 Turbulent Laminal
6 332x10^-6 10 3.32x10^-5 0.087 1080 Laminal Turbulent

Temperature Dynamic viscosity 𝜇

[°C] [Pa s], [N s/m2] [cP], [mPa s] [lbf s/ft2 *10-5]

0.01 0.0017914 1.79140 3.7414

10 0.0013060 1.30600 2.7276

20 0.0010016 1.00160 2.0919

25 0.0008900 0.89004 1.8589

30 0.0007972 0.79722 1.6650

40 0.0006527 0.65272 1.3632

50 0.0005465 0.54650 1.1414

60 0.0004660 0.46602 0.9733

Calculation :

Ex.no.5:

We have a volume =170x10^-6 m3

Time =32s
D=0.011m

Q=V/T
Q=(170x10^-6)/(32)
Q=5.31x10^-6

Q=V.A
D=11mm=0.011m
Velocity=Q/A
V=(5.31x10^-6)/(3.14x0.011^2)=0.139 m/s

𝜌𝑣𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = .
𝜇
Dynamic viscosity 𝜇 = 0.0008900 in 25c.

(1000)(1.39)(0.011)
𝑅𝑒 =
0.0008900
Re=17179.77….>4000….so the flow is turbulent
Ex.no.6:

We have a volume =332x10^-6 m3

Time =10s
Q=V/T
Q=(332x10^-6)/(10)
Q=3.32x10^-5

Q=V.A
D=11mm=0.011m
Velocity=Q/A
V=(3.32x10^-5)/(3.14x0.011^2)=0.087m/s

𝜌𝑣𝐷
𝑅𝑒 = .
𝜇

Dynamic viscosity 𝜇 = 0.0008900 in 25c.

(1000)(0.087)(0.011)
𝑅𝑒 =
0.0008900

Re=1080.004….<2000….so the flow is Laminar.

Discussion:

In this Experiment we knowing the type of fluid flow (laminar ,translations ,turbulent).
We notice that if we have a some velocity and huge viscosity the fluid will be laminar .but if
we have a very fast velocity and small viscosity the flow will be turbulent, however the type
of fluid control if the fluid flow will be laminar or turbulent.
When we find the type of fluid flow the calculation of theoretical experiment is not some
result when we see in your eye .because we have some of error like when we looking on it,
the balance of device, small distance pip shown,…