Reynold’s Experiment

Alaraz, Adrian| Centeno, Dominic| Petareal, Chelsea | San Jose, Raira | Ticzon, Emmanuel

CHE131L – Chemical Engineering 1 (Laboratory)

2nd term of S.Y. 2021-2022

Mapua Institute of Technology at Laguna

Malayan Colleges Laguna

ABSTRACT parallel layers with no interruption between them. It

The Osborne Reynolds Apparatus was
designed to examine the behavior of laminar,
transitional, and turbulent flows. In this experiment,
the Osborne Reynolds Apparatus is used to evaluate
the flow characteristics of a fluid in its glass pipe at
varying outflow rates to determine the Reynolds
number for each state of the flow. A theoretical data
was provided with a constant temperature of 28°C
and ID of outlet tube 14 mm through 10 trials with
volumes varying from 100 mL to 300 mL and varying
times ranging from 19.19 seconds to 84 seconds.
Each trial was identified as either laminar,
transitional or turbulent. The gathered data was also
used to calculate Reynold's number. The results from
the given experimental data showed that the
experiment only yielded laminar and turbulent
flows.
INTRODUCTION
is as a flow in which particles move in a straight line
in the shape of thin parallel sheets. Laminar flow is a
stable state in which all streamlines go in the same
direction.
Figure 1. Laminar Flow Diagram
In contrast to laminar flow, turbulent flow is
characterized by a random fluctuation in pressure
and flow velocity. The molecules move in an uneven
and dispersed pattern in a turbulent flow. It is an
unsteady condition in which streamlines contact,
resulting in shear plan collapse and mixing. The shift
from laminar to turbulent flow occurs gradually as
the flow rate is raised. Transitional flow is the term
used to describe this zone of change. Prior to
dispersion, this appears as a wandering dye stream

The Osborne Reynold apparatus used in the as turbulence occurs.

experiment comprises a glass pipe or a test tube

held vertically in a big shroud. When water enters a
constant head tank above the test tube and goes
through the diffuser and stilling bed, the system is
complete. There are three different forms of fluid Figure 2. Turbulent Flow Diagram

flow. The first is laminar flow, also known as

The dimensionless value Reynold's number is used to
streamline flow, which happens when fluid flows in
evaluate whether a fluid flow is laminar or turbulent.

Experiment 1. Experiment Title By: Group #

CHE131L BS in Chemical Engineering
It is a significant controlling parameter in all viscous
flows in which a numerical model is chosen.
Equation 1. Reynold’s Number
ρ = density of the fluid
L = diameter of the inside tube
µ = viscosity of the fluid
υ = flow speed
EXPERIMENT OBJECTIVES
1. To be able to utilize the Osborne Reynolds
Apparatus.
2. To illustrate laminar, transitional, and fully
turbulent flows in a pipe.
3. To calculate the Reynolds Number.
4. To determine under which conditions each
flow regime occurs.
METHODOLOGY
MATERIALS:
 Osborne Reynolds Apparatus
Osborne Reynolds Apparatus provides
laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow.
It consists of a removable clear acrylic
cylinder with an adjustable overflow
pipe. A dye injection system is put on
top of the acrylic cylinder tank, and
water is admitted at the bottom of the
tank through a diffuser and stilling
Experiment 1. Experiment Title
CHE131L
materials and released through a bell
mouth transparent tube with a flow
control valve at the end. The apparatus
has a hose with a quick male coupling
for connection to the Hydraulics Bench.
 Hydraulic Bench
A hydraulic bench is used to supply
water from water outlet to the Osborne
Reynolds Apparatus.
 Stopwatch and graduated beaker
Water flow rate is measured by a
stopwatch and a graduated beaker
placing at the apparatus discharge.
 Thermometer
Thermometer is used to measure the
temperature of the water.
PROCEDURES:
EQUIPMENT SET UP:
 Place the Osborne Reynold Apparatus
on a stable surface that is free of
vibrations.
 Place the Osborne Reynolds apparatus
on a bench next to the Hydraulics
Bench, with the base horizontal and the
test section vertical, so that the
apparatus can still be discharged to the
bench measurement tank.
 Connect the hydraulic bench outlet to
the inlet pipe of the head tank.
 Connect the head tank overflow tube to
the hydraulics bench's volumetric tank.
 Connect the 14 mm outlet tube to the
apparatus flow control valve and attach
it to a fixed position in a laboratory sink,
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By: Group #
BS in Chemical Engineering
 leaving enough space below the end of see transitional flow and then turbulent
the tube to insert a measuring cylinder.  flow, which is characterized by
continuous and highly rapid dye mixing
at increasing flow rates.
TEST PROCEDURE:

 Turn on the pump and allow the head

tank to fill with water by slightly opening
the apparatus flow control valve and the
bench valve.  Make sure that the flow
visualization pipe is properly filled.
 when the water level reaches the
overflow tube, adjust the flow bulb so
that a slight overflow rate is produced. DATA AND RESULTS

 Fill the dye reservoir with blue dye until

it is about 2/3 full, making sure the dye
control valve is closed.
 Connect the needle, place the dye
assembly over a laboratory sink, and
open the valve to ensure that there is a
free flow of dye.
 Lower the injector until the needle's tip is
slightly above the bell mouth and the
axis is centered. Table 1. Preliminary Information obtained from
 Set the flow control valve to a slow the Reynold’s Apparatus

trickle outflow, then adjust the dye

*Taken at 28 ºC
control valve to a slow flow with clear
**ID of Outlet Tube = 14 mm
dye indication.
 Measure the temperature of the
water using thermometer.
 Measure the flow volumetric rate by
timed water collection.
 To classify the flow regime, observe the
flow patterns, take some photos, or do
hand sketches if necessary.
 Open the flow control valve to increase
the flow rate. Repeat the experiment to

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Experiment 1. Experiment Title By: Group #
CHE131L BS in Chemical Engineering

Table 2. Tabulated Results of the Inlet Flowrate,
Velocity, Reynold’s Number, and the
Classification of Fluid Flow
*ID of Outlet Tube = 14 mm
** Dynamic Viscosity at 28 ºC = 0.8382 x 10-3
N∙s/m2
***Density at 28 ºC = 996.26 kg/m3
Table 3. Classification of Fluid Flow Between
Observed and Theoretical Phenomenon
ANALYSIS, INTERPRETATION,
CONCLUSION
The Experiment is solved through the
dimensionless variable called Reynolds Number.
This predicts the behavior of the fluid given its
density, viscosity, and the diameter of pipe being
used for the mass transfer. Reynolds number
describes the ratio in inertia forces to the
viscous forces, this ratio is what determines the
behavior of the fluid. As the value of the
Reynolds number increases, the flow would
destabilize and thus would create a turbulent
Experiment 1. Experiment Title
CHE131L
flow, The higher the Re (Reynolds number) value
the more turbulent the flow.
From Table 2.1, the data gathered have
shown a trend on the phenomenon observed on
each trial. The trials with a laminar observation
have shown that as the volume of fluid increases
the average time required for the trial to finish
also increases. 100 mL with an average time of
43.5 seconds, 200 mL with an average time of
76 seconds and lastly 300 mL with 76 seconds.
Compared to the 100 mL, the 300 mL trial
required more time to finish. Though the longest
trial falls under the 200 mL which finished after
84 seconds. As for the turbulent trials, it is also
observed, the longest time recorded was 26.09
seconds and the shortest was 16.25 seconds, all
trials have the same volume. Compared to the
laminar trials, the gap between time stamps is
not as wide. The data in table 2.1 will be used to
compute the values required for table 2.2.
Table 2.2 shows the computed Inlet
flowrate, velocity, Reynolds number, and the
predicted type of flow the fluid is undergoing with
the parameters being considered. For trials 1 to
& 5, the computed Re values showed that trial 5
has the highest value while trial 1 has the lowest
having a Re value of 426.7 and 251.39
respectively, having a Re value less than 1000
means it is Laminar, the theoretical flow
behavior for trials 1 to 5 are all Laminar. As for
trials 6 to 10 the computed Re values has the
highest value of 997.8 and a lowest value of
621.5, for trials 8 and 6 respectively, meaning all
trials 6 to 10 are laminar since none of them are
within the range of transition (Re = 2000 to
4000). The observed data must have gone
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through multiple errors that may have caused since none of them are inside the transition
the turbulent fluid flow that was observed in the range (Re = 2000 to 4000).
data gathered in table 2.1.
REFERENCES
In an actual execution of this
experiment, the errors might have originated Cantwell, B. J. (1981). Organized motion in

from a faulty equipment which may cause the turbulent flow. Annual Review of Fluid

abnormal presence of the turbulent flow that was Mechanics, 13(1), 457–515.

observed, and Human error which is more likely https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fl.13.0101

to occur on adjusting the flowrate of the water 81.002325

feed and the manual measurements done within

Gudmundsson, S. (2014). The anatomy of the
the process of the experiment.
airfoil. General Aviation Aircraft Design,
In conclusion to the experiment, A glass 235–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-
pipe or test tube is held vertically in a large 12-397308-5.00008-8
shroud in the Osborne Reynold apparatus that is
used in the experiment. The system is complete Osborne Reynolds Apparatus. TecQuipment.
when water enters a constant head tank above (2016). Retrieved from
the test tube and passes through a diffuser and https://www.tecquipment.com/osborne-
stilling bed. Reynolds Number is a reynolds-apparatus
dimensionless variable that is used to solve the
What is Reynolds number?: SimWiki. SimScale.
experiment. The ratio of inertia forces to viscous
(2021, September 3). Retrieved from
forces is described by the Reynolds number.
https://www.simscale.com/docs/simwiki/n
The flow would collapse and form a turbulent
umerics-background/what-is-the-reynolds-
flow as the Reynolds number increased. The
number/
more turbulent the flow, the higher the Re
(Reynolds number). The experiments with a
APPENDICES
laminar observation have revealed that as the
For Inlet Flow Rate (as in Table 2, Trial 1):
volume of fluid increases, so does the average
Volume of water (m3)
time necessary to complete the trial. The time Q=
time(s )
difference between time stamps is not as large
as it is in the turbulent trials. Table 2.2 illustrates Equation 1 Inlet Flow Rate of Water
the computed Inlet flowrate, velocity, Reynolds
number, and projected type of flow the fluid is
undergoing when the parameters are 3
1m
100 mL( )
considered. Because Re values are fewer than 1 x 106 mL
Q=
1000, the theoretical flow behavior for trials 1 to 43 s
5 is laminar. Trials 6 to 10 are all laminar as well

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Experiment 1. Experiment Title By: Group #
CHE131L BS in Chemical Engineering
 m
3
kg m 1m
Q=2.325581395×1 0
−6
996.26 ×0.01510725611 ×(14 mm∙ )
s m 3
s 1000 mm
ℜD =
3 Ns
−6 m 0.8382 ×1 0−3 2
Q ≈ 2.3256 ×1 0 m
s

Q=2.325581395×1 0−6
s (
m3 1000 L
1m
3 )( 1min
60 s
) ℜD =251.3846

Q ≈ 0.1395 L /min ℜD < 2000

∴ The fluid flow is laminar

For Velocity (as in Table 2, Trial 1):
3
m
Flow rate (
)
s Q
V= =
Cross−section area π D2
4
Equation 2 Velocity of water

−6 m3
2.325581395 ×1 0
s
V=
π ¿¿¿
m
V =0.01510725611
s
m
V ≈ 0.0151
s

For Reynolds Number (as in Table 2, Trial 1):

ρV D
ℜD =
μ

Equation 3 Reynolds Number

Dynamic Viscosity (µ) at 28 ºC = 0.8382 x 10-3

N∙s/m2
Density (ρ) at 28 ºC = 996.26 kg/m3

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Experiment 1. Experiment Title By: Group #
CHE131L BS in Chemical Engineering