ACTIVITY 5: LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOW DEMONSTRATION

1.1. Student Outcomes (SOs) Addressed by the Activity

SO d, Design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze, and interpret data, and synthesize information to
provide valid conclusions for investigating complex problems.
SO i, Function effectively as an individual and as a member or leader in diverse teams and inmultidisciplinary
setting.

1.2. Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity the student shall be able to:
a) Demonstrate laminar and turbulent flow using Osborne Reynolds apparatus.
b) Identify laminar and turbulent flows based critical Reynold’s number.
c) Discuss the basic principle of laminar and turbulent flows in closed conduit systems.

1.3. Objective/s of the Activity

The aim of this experiment is to demonstrate laminar and turbulent flow as well as the corresponding critical Reynold’s number.

1.4. Principle of the Activity

The Reynolds number is calculated from
𝑉𝑑𝜌 𝑉𝑑
𝑅𝑒 = =
𝜇 𝜈
where:
d = Inside diameter of pipe section (m)
pipe: 10 mm or 0.01 m
V = Flow velocity (m/s)
𝜇 = Absolute viscosity of the mediums (Pa-s)
𝜈 = Kinematic viscosity of the mediums (m2/s)
𝑚
2
water: 𝜈 = 1.0 × 10./ ( )
𝑠

The flow velocity can be calculated from the volume flow, which is determined with a measuring vesseland a stopwatch.
𝑄
𝑉=
𝐴
where:

Q = Volumetric Flowrate (m3/s)

2
A = Cross-sectional area of the Pipe: 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑑 4

The flow changes from laminar to turbulent when:

𝑅𝑒 < 2000 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝑅𝑒 > 4000 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤2000 ≤
𝑇𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 ≤ 4000

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1.5. Materials/Equipment
1 unit HM 150.18 Osborne Reynolds Demonstrator1 unit
HM 150.0 Basic Hydraulic Bench
HM 150.0 Basic Hydraulic Bench Accessories1 Set
Timer
1 Set Thermometer
Ink
Power and Water Supply Supplies

1.6. Procedures Preparation

of the Activity
1. Close the drain valve (4).
2. Switch on the water supply. When using HM 150 ‘Basic Hydraulic Bench’, switch on the pump.Carefully open
the control valve (3).
3. Adjunct the valve to produce a constant water level in the reservoir.
4. After a time, the test pipe section (5) is completely filled.
5. The activity can begin.
6. Open the drain cock slightly to produce a low rate of flow into the test pipe section. The coloredwaste water is
best directed down the drain.

Performance of the Activity

1. Blue Ink is used to visualize the flow. A fine blue tread of stream indicating the laminar flow canbe produced
using the metering tap (1).
2. Note: If the metering tap is operated with difficulty, loosen the nut and lubricate the thread.
3. At a low flow rate laminar flow occurs. – To produce a low flow, open the drain cock slightly.
4. At a high flow rate turbulent flow occurs. – To produce a high flow, open the drain cock wider.
5. The thread of stream is broken up in turbulent flow.

Figure 1-1: HM 150. 19 ‘Osborne Reynolds

Apparatus ©2017 GUNT Inc.

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1.7 ACTIVITY REPORT
Course Code: CE016 Date Submitted: MAY 2, 2023
Course Title: HYDRAULICS Activity No.: ACTIVITY NO. 4
Group No.: GROUP NO. 4 Section: CEC32S1
Group Members: Date Performed: APRIL 13,2023
ADDURU, Madelaine Joy Instructor: ENGR. JICA DELA CRUZ
CAMINA, Sim Condrad
CRISTOBAL, Shanea Jean
DULLER, Amir Christian
MARZAN, Lawrence Janine
SERRANO, Maria Elsa
VALENZUELA, Irvin

1.7.1. Data and Results

Table 1-1: Data for Reynolds Number and Flow Demonstration

Absolute Kinematic
Trial Discharge Velocity(m/s) Reynold’s Type of
Viscosity Viscosity
(L/s) Number Flows
(Pa-s) (cm2/s)
1 0.01333 0.16977 0.01 1.0 × 10−6 1697.65273 LAMINAR
2 0.01695 0.21588 0.01 1.0 × 10−6 2158.76491 TURBULENT
3 0.00794 0.101051 0.01 1.0 × 10−6 1010.50758 LAMINAR
4 - - - - - -
5 - - - - - -

1.7.2. Computations

The data acquired from the experiment are as follows:

TRIAL VOLUME (L) TIME (S) TYPE OF FLOW (based on

observation)
1 0.5 37.5 Laminar
2 0.5 29.49 Turbulent
3 0.5 63 Laminar

𝐿
We can calculate the discharge using the formula 𝑄 = , given the Volume and Time.
𝑆

DISCHARGE (Q) IN DISCHARGE (Q) IN

TRIAL VOLUME (L) TIME (S)
L/s 𝒎𝟑 /s
1 0.5 37.5 0.01333 1.33333× 10−5
2 0.5 29.49 0.01695 1.69549× 10−5
3 0.5 63 0.00794 7.93651× 10−6

Compute for the cross-sectional area of the pipe, given that the inside diameter of pipe section (m) pipe is 10 mm or 0.01 m.
𝜋𝑑 2
𝐴=
4

DIAMETER (d) AREA (A)

0.01 m 7.853981634 × 10−5 m

3
 𝑄
Use the formula 𝑉= , to solve for the velocity.
𝐴

TRIAL DISCHARGE (Q) IN 𝒎𝟑 /s AREA (A) VELOCITY (V)

1 1.33333× 10−5 7.853981634 × 10−5 m 0.16977
2 1.69549× 10−5 7.853981634 × 10−5 m 0.21588
3 7.93651× 10−6 7.853981634 × 10−5 m 0.101051

𝑚2
Give the value for kinematic viscosity of the mediums (m2/s) water which is 1.0 × 10−6 ( ), The Reynolds number can now be
𝑠
𝑉𝑑
solved using the formula 𝑅𝑒 =
𝑣

KINEMATIC REYNOLD’S
TRIAL VELOCITY (V) DIAMETER (d)
VISCOSITY (v) NUMBER (RE)
1 0.16977 0.01 m 1.0 × 10−6 1697.65273
2 0.21588 0.01 m 1.0 × 10−6 2158.76491
3 0.101051 0.01 m 1.0 × 10−6 1010.50758

Base to the flow changes from laminar to turbulent when:

𝑅𝑒 < 2000 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑟 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤
𝑅𝑒 > 4000 𝑚𝑒𝑎𝑛𝑠 𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑏𝑢𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤
2000 ≤ Critical ≤ 4000

TRIAL REYNOLD’S NUMBER (RE) TYPE OF FLOWS

1 1697.65273 LAMINAR
2 2158.76491 CRITICAL
3 1010.50758 LAMINAR

𝑉𝑑𝜌
We can now use the formula 𝑅𝑒 = to solve for the absolute viscosity of the mediums (Pa-s) after obtaining the Reynold's
μ
number.

ABSOLUTE
REYNOLD’S
TRIAL VELOCITY (V) DIAMETER (d) DENSITY (𝝆) VISCOSITY
NUMBER (RE)
(Pa-s)
1 1697.65273 0.16977 0.01 m 1000 0.001
2 2158.76491 0.21588 0.01 m 1000 0.001
3 1010.50758 0.101051 0.01 m 1000 0.001

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1.7.3. Conclusions
The type of fluid flow is determined using the Osborne Reynolds apparatus. The units that were observed during the
experiment can be used to calculate Reynold's Number and determine the type of fluid flow depending on observation.

The apparatus uses a blue ink to determine the type of fluid flow depending on the operation of the metering tap. The
metering tap can be adjusted from loose to tight screw. A broken-up stream line of blue ink is indicating turbulent flow
while a smooth stream line indicates a laminar flow. In the three trials, the group observed two laminar flow and one
turbulent flow.

Calculations showed that the time can determine the type of flow, as trial 2 has the shortest time and the type of fluid flow
is turbulent. Discharge can also determine the type of flow, trial 1 and 3 has the least amount of discharge and it is
considered as laminar flow. There is also a difference of fluid flow based on observation and based on calculations. Our
observations have two laminar and one turbulent but based on calculations, three trials have two laminar flow and one
critical flow.

The data may not be accurate due to errors. Human error is one, there could be a delay when it comes to timing the
volume of the fluid and the apparatus itself is a bit faulty. The ink on top of the pipe sometimes gets clogged, resulting in a
massive discharge of water. The hydraulic bench also is faulty on the day of the experiment, as we resorted into using a
cylindrical tube to determine the volume of the fluid.

These findings indicate that time and discharge is proportionate to fluid flow. Moreover, determination and identification of
fluid flow is important because we use different types of fluid flow in our everyday lives, one of which is the stream of our
blood and the stream of the water that our body uses from day-to-day basis