The American University in Cairo

Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics

Lab Report

Experiment 6
Flow Visualization

Dr. Mohy Mansour

Mahmoud Abido

Raed Barsoum
Mostafa Mostafa
Eslam Ehab El-Shakr
Mohamed Abo Shoir
Contents
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 3
Theory ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Objective .................................................................................................................................... 3
Procedures ................................................................................................................................. 4
Equipment .................................................................................................................................. 4
Results ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Discussions ................................................................................................................................. 6

List of figures

Figure 1 5
Figure 2 5
Figure 3 5
Figure 4 6
Figure 5 6
Abstract

The purpose of this experiment is to show flow behaviour and the difference between
laminar, transitional and turbulent flow. The fluid used in this experiment is water and we
are aiming to calculate the Reynold’s number of water in different conditions and we use ink
on water to make the changes in water flow easier to observe. We let the water to flow at
certain speed and this speed increases to have distinct types of flow. Using test pipe, we can
calculate the velocity of the flow and plug it into the equation of Reynold’s number.
Reynold’s numbers should have matched what was visually determined. However, that was
not the case due to error.

Introduction

This report presents an experiment aimed at visualizing flow. The point is to recognize
laminar and turbulent flows. A flow is laminar when there is no exchange in momentum
between fluid layers and each layer is travelling and sticking to its straight path. Turbulent
flow occurs when layers flow across each other and there is momentum exchange. Due to
the liquid used not being relevant to the aim of the experiment, water is used. The pipe
used for water flow is straight, with a circular cross-section and 0.01 metres wide. A small
needle filled with blue ink is inserted at the start of the pipe to provide a thin line of visible
fluid in the flow. This line will be used to visually determine if the flow is laminar or
turbulent. Flow speed variation will result in transitioning between laminar and turbulent
flow. For the two states of flow, Reynolds’ number will be calculated.

Theory
𝑣𝑑
𝑅𝑒 =
𝑢
d = 0.010m

𝑘𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1.004 ∗ 106 𝑚2 /𝑠

𝑅𝑒 < 2100 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤

2100 < 𝑅𝑒 < 3000 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤

𝑅𝑒 > 3000 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤

Objective

To demonstrate flow behaviour and the difference between laminar, transitional and
turbulent flow according to the calculated Reynold’s number.
Procedure

1. Slightly open the apparatus flow control valve, then open the bench valve and allow
the system to fill with water.
2. Once the water level in the head tank reaches the overflow tube, adjust the control
valve to produce a low flow rate.
3. Open the dye valve.
4. Open the control valve as needed to allow or low flow rate to observe a laminar flow
and calculate the flow velocity by measuring timed volume collection.
5. Make observation of die flow line in the tube for each flow rate.
6. Repeat the previous step for transitional and turbulent flow.
7. Calculate Reynold's number for each flow rate.

Equipment

1) Dye
2) Dye flow control valve

3) Glass Marbles
4) Flow Control Valve

5) Bellmouth Entry

6) The Whole Device

Results

Volume / ml Time / s Flow rate / 10-6 Velocity / m/s Re

m3/s
50 19 2.63 0.0335 374.7
100 9.05 11.05 0.141 1577

Discussions

Raed Rafik Wasfy

Part A: Laminar Flow:
The laminar flow has a smooth appearance. It appears as one straight flow without any
disturbance. Also the flow appears to be at a constant rate of flow.

Part B: Turbulent Flow:

The Turbulent flow appears to be in a disturbance state. The Turbulent flow is characterized
by mixing the layer with each other during the flow process. The Turbulent flow appears to
be flowing at a different rate.

Eslam Ehab El-Shakr

This experiment aims at demonstrating how a certain flow behaves, this could be easily
done through observing the behavior of laminar, transitional and turbulent pipe flow as well
as be calculating Reynold’s number (𝑅𝑒 ) for different flow velocities, which can easily
indicate the type of flow behavior. This is because 𝑅𝑒 is a function of the velocity of the flow
and the diameter of the test pipe. Therefore, each type of flow has certain range of
Reynold’s number values:
• If 𝑅𝑒 < 2100, it’s laminar flow. This type of flow has smooth appearance. In addition, the flow
profile is nearly parabolic distribution. Thus, the flow velocity is constant with respect to
time
• If 2100 < 𝑅𝑒 < 3000, it’s transitional flow and this type of flow happens between the laminar
and turbulent flow in a very short time and it’s hard to observe and detect
• If 𝑅𝑒 > 3000, it’s turbulent flow. This type of flow is characterized by mixing action through
the flow which caused by eddies of varying size with the flow.
Mohamed Abo Shoir
When flow velocity was 0.0335 m/s, the thin visible line of fluid was straight, parallel to the
direction of the pipe throughout the flow. This was recognized as laminar flow. Its Reynold’s
number (374.7) was found to be less than 2100 therefore confirming a state of laminar flow.
When the velocity was increased to 0.141 m/s, the line began to gently move across the
pipe from one side to the other. The line formed a shape like a parabola with its apex close
to the middle of the pipe and was closest to the side of the pipe than any other part of the
line. The apex then gently switched position from one side to the other. This was visually
recognized as turbulent flow. However, its Reynold’s number did not agree with the
observation since it was found to be less than 2100 (1577). This error in calculation can be
possibly due to inaccurate measurement of flow rate therefore velocity.

Mostafa Mostafa
In this experiment, we are trying to show how a certain flow behaves through observing the
behaviour of laminar, transitional and turbulent flow. We calculate Reynold’s number”𝑅𝑒 ”
which is an indication of their type of flow behavior. 𝑅𝑒 is a function of the velocity of the
flow and the diameter of the test pipe. Each type of flow has certain range of Reynold’s
number values:
If 𝑅𝑒 < 2100, it’s laminar flow which has smooth appearance. And the flow profile is nearly
parabolic distribution. The velocity is constant with respect to time
If 2100 < 𝑅𝑒 < 3000, it’s transitional flow and this flow happens between the laminar and
turbulent flow in a very short time and it’s hard to observe and detect
If 𝑅𝑒 > 3000, it’s turbulent flow which characterized by mixing action through the flow
which caused by eddies of varying size with the flow.