Date: 22-01-2020 Exp.

no: 4

REYNOLD’S APPARATUS

Aim:
To study different types of flow and to determine the Reynolds’s number.
Theory:
In Reynolds’s experiments, the ratio of inertia to viscous forces was observed to be
dimensionless and related to viscosity, average pipeline velocity and geometrically similar
boundary conditions. For a homogeneous Newtonian fluid, this dimensionless ratio is Re
expressed as
DVρ
Re =
μ

Where
ρ -density of fluid(kg/m3)
V-Velocity of fluid
D-diameter of glass tube
µ-viscosity of fluid (N-s/m2 )

For Re < 2100 - Laminar flow

Re > 4200- Turbulent flow

2100 < Re < 4200 - Transition zone

Depending on the relative magnitude of viscous and inertial forces, flow can occur in two
different manners. A stream line flow is defined as a line, which lies in the direction of flow is
defined as a line, which lies in the direction of flow at a given instant. For lower Reynolds
number streamline flow or laminar flow occur. As Reynolds number increases, eddies are
generated and flow becomes turbulent.
Procedure:
Clean the apparatus and make all tanks free from dust. Close the drain valves provided. Close
flow control valve at the end of test section ie) Glass tube. Fill sump tank with clean water and
ensure no foreign particles are there. Prepare a dye solution (KMnO4) in clean water in a separate
vessel. Close the control valve for dye, given on the P.V tubing. Put this section in Dye Vessel
after ensuring no foreign particles. Regulate minimum flow rate with the help of dye through
capillary tube so that affine colour thread is observed indicating laminar flow. Increase the flow
through glass tube and observe the colour threads, if it is still straight the flow is still straight the
flow still remains to be in laminar flow and if waviness starts it is non laminar flow.
Measure flow rate using measuring cylinder and stop watch.

Formulae:
V o × 10−6
Discharge, Q =
t
Q
Average Velocity of fluid, V =
A
DVρ DV
Reynolds Number = =
μ ϑ

Nomenclature:
ρ= Density of fluid kg/m3
V= velocity of fluid (m/s)
D= Diameter of glass tube (m)
µ= Viscosity of fluid (Ns/m 2)
Observations:
Table 2.1

Sl.no V₀ (ml) t(s) Observed flow type

1 1000 70.74 Straight Line
2 1000 48.12 Straight Line
3 1000 41.75 Straight Line
4 1000 37.15 Straight Line
5 1000 30.22 Zigzag
6 1000 20.31 Zigzag
7 1000 10.97 Zigzag
8 1000 6.07 Zigzag

Given Data:
D = 0.025 m
A = 0.00049 m 2

m2
ϑ = 1.006 ×10−6
s
 Calculations:

Table 2.2

Sl.no Q (mᵌ/s) ( V (m/s) Rₑ Observed Calculated

×10−6) (×10−2 ¿ flow type flow type
1 14.136 2.88 715.70 Straight Line Laminar
2 20.781 4.24 1053.67 Straight Line Laminar
3 23.952 4.88 1212.72 Straight Line Laminar
4 26.917 5.49 1364.31 Straight Line Laminar
5 33.090 6.75 1677.43 Zigzag Laminar
6 39.840 10.04 2495.02 Zigzag Transient
7 91.157 18.6 4622.26 Zigzag Turbulent
8 164.744 33.6 8349.90 Zigzag Turbulent

Model Calculations :

Sl.no 2 :
D = 0.025 m
V o = 1000 ml
t = 48.12 s
A = 0.00049m 2
2
−6 m
ϑ=1.006× 10
s
V × 10−6 1000× 10−6 m3
Discharge, Q = o = = 20.781 ×10−6
t 48.12 s

Q 20.781×10−6 −2 m
Average Velocity of fluid, V = = = 4.24 ×10
A 0.00049 s

DVρ DV 4.24 × 10−2 × 0.025

Reynolds Number = = = = 1053.67
μ ϑ 1.006 ×10−6

Observed Flow Type: Straight Line

Calculated Flow Type:Laminar
Result and Discussion:
The variation of Reynolds Number for laminar, transition and turbulent flow has been studied
using Reynolds Apparatus. The experiment was done to study the behavior of flow. For
laminar flow i.e. at low flow rates the die moved in a straight line within the test section. For
turbulent flow i.e. at high flow rates a wave like pattern was observed, this can be because of
the formation of eddies in the test section for large velocities.
Re is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. So at low flow rates viscous forces are
dominant, whereas at high flow rates the inertial forces are more dominant, thus obtaining low
values for Re at lower flow rates and high values for Re at higher flow rates. Hence by
determining the Re one can predict the flow characteristics of a fluid at that flow rates.

Conclusion:
As the flow rate increases, the Reynolds number also increases .The laminar flow occurs when
the fluid is moving at low velocities while the turbulent flow occurs for higher velocities of
fluid. Transition flow is intermediate flow between the laminar and the turbulent regimes.