Reynolds Number

JAMAICA CHRISTELLE P. PEÑALOSA

BS Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Architecture

Department of Chemical Engineering

Cebu Institute of Technology – University, N. Bacalso Ave. Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

The stream of genuine liquids can essentially happen under two very different regimes to
be specific laminar and turbulent flow. The laminar flow is described by liquid particles moving
as lamina sliding over each other, with the end goal that at any moment the speed whatsoever the
focuses specifically lamina is the same. The lamina close to the flow boundary moves at a slower
rate when contrasted with those close to the focal point of the flow section. This kind of fluid
happens in viscous fluids, liquids moving at moderate speed changes starting with one point then
onto the next and even at a similar point every now and then. This sort of stream happens in low
density. A fine filament of color is acquainted in with the stream of water through the glass tube
where distinctive kinds of stream are seen at its passageway. At low speeds, the color fiber showed
up as straight line through the length of the tube and parallel to its pivot, portraying laminar stream.
As the speed is expanded the color filament ends up plainly wavy all through demonstrating change
stream. On additionally expanding the speed, the filament separates and diffuses totally in the
water in the glass tube demonstrating the turbulent stream.
1. Introduction

In fluid mechanics, a number that demonstrates whether the stream of a liquid (fluid or gas)
is completely consistent (laminar stream) or on the average steady with little, precarious changes
(in turbulent stream) is the Reynolds number. The Reynolds number fills in as a model of the kind
of fluid motion. In a pipe, for instance, laminar stream typically exists at Reynolds number that is
under 2100, and turbulent stream at Reynolds number above around 4000.

Studies have demonstrated that the progress from laminar to turbulent stream in tubes isn't
just an element of speed but also a function of density and viscosity of the liquid stream in the
tube. These factors are consolidated into the Reynolds number, which is dimensionless. Reynolds
number can be ascertained by the condition:
𝐷𝑣𝜌
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
Where NRe is the Reynolds number, D is the diameter in m, 𝜌 is the fluid density in kg/m3,
𝜇 is the fluid viscosity in Pa‧s and v is the average velocity of the fluid in m/s (where average
velocity is defined as the volumetric flow divided by the cross sectional area of the pipe).

Beside the application to fluid mechanics as to portray distinctive stream regimes, it is

likewise an essential quantity utilized as a part of optimal design and power through pressure.
Turbulent stream models of low Reynolds number might be utilized to foresee the electronic
component heat transfer. This could eventually help lessen the present reliance on test prototyping.

The Osbourne Reynolds Apparatus is a hardware used to research the characteristic for the
stream of the fluid in the pipe which is likewise used to decide or determine the Reynolds number
for each condition of the stream. The plan of the mechanical assembly permitted considering the
characteristic for the stream of the liquid in the pipe, the conduct of the stream and furthermore to
compute the range for the laminar and turbulent stream where the computation is utilized to
demonstrate the Reynolds number is dimensionless by utilizing the Reynolds number equation.

The mechanical assembly has a head tank that draws water straightforwardly from the
fixture. The water goes through a bed of marbles which gives stilling to the stream as it enters the
perception or visualization pipe. The flow visualization pipe, associated at the base of the head
tank, has its liquid stream directed utilizing a control valve. A consistent head is kept up by means
of an overflow that is introduced inside the head tank. The color contained in a repository or
reservoir is infused into the visualization pipe by means of a hypodermic tube. The stream of color
is controlled through valve.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Apparatus and Materials

 Osbourne Reynolds Number Apparatus

 Dye
 Stopwatch
 Thermometer
 Water
 1 L Graduated Cylinder
 1 Digital Camera

2.2 Methods
……………………………………………………………………………………….
The diameter of the pipe was first determined in order to compute the cross-sectional of
the pipe. The temperature of the water is recorded in order to determine its viscosity and density.
The equipment used was consisted of a horizontal glass tube immersed in a regular tank with water.
The dye was mounted on the reservoir that was located on top of the head tank. A controlled flow
of water was drawn through the tube by opening the valve. The flow was stabilized for 30 seconds
or more. The entrance of the tube was flared and provision was made to introduce a fine filament
of dye form as overhead flask into the water stream at the tube entrance. Initially, a thin film of
dye is injected into the water stream at very slow water flow rate. Without turning off the flow of
dye, the water flow rate was increased and with each increment, quantity of water was collected
for flow rate measurements observation as to the behavior of the film of the dye was recorded as
water flow varies from laminar to turbulent region. A picture was taken on the dye behavior for
each analysis to support the computed Reynolds number.
3. Results
3.1 Tables

Table 3.1 contains the raw data such as the volume of water collected and the collection
time obtained using the Reynolds number apparatus available in the laboratory. It also contains
the results of the experiment such as the volumetric flow rate, Reynolds number and the type of
flow.

Volume of Collection Volumetric Reynolds’ Type of

Trial Water Time Flow Rate Number, Re Flow
Collected (mL) (seconds) ,Q, (m3/s) (dimensionless)

1 30 20 0.0000015 248.900 Laminar

2 38 20 0.0000019 315.274 Laminar
3 51 20 0.00000255 423.131 Laminar
4 84 20 0.0000042 696.921 Laminar
5 144 20 0.0000072 1194.722 Laminar
6 254 20 0.0000127 1225.689 Laminar
7 280 20 0.000014 2323.070 Transition
8 976 20 0.0000488 8087.558 Turbulent
9 1001 20 0.0000505 8379.646 Turbulent
10 1029 20 0.00005145 8537.282 Turbulent
Table 3.1 Raw data and results

3.2 Calculations

Solving for Volumetric Flowrate with the given data,

Trial 1
1cm3 1m
Volume of Water Collected (30mL)( 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.0000015
Time 20s s
Trial 2
1cm3 1m
Volume of Water Collected (48mL)( 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.0000019
Time 20s s
Trial 3
1cm3 1m
Volume of Water Collected (51mL)( 1mL )( ) 3
Q= = 100cm3 = 0.00000255 m
Time 20s s
Trial 4
1cm3 1m
Volume of Water Collected (84mL)( 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.0000042
Time 20s s
Trial 5
1cm3 1m
(144mL)(
Volume of Water Collected 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.0000072
Time 20s s
Trial 6
1cm3 1m
(254mL)( 1mL 100cm3 )
Volume of Water Collected )( m3
Q= = = 0.0000127
Time 20s s
Trial 7
1cm3 1m
Volume of Water Collected (280mL)( 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.000014
Time 20s s
Trial 8
1cm3 1m
(976mL)(
Volume of Water Collected 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.0000488
Time 20s s
Trial 9
1cm3 1m
Volume of Water Collected (1001mL)( 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.0000505
Time 20s s
Trial 10
1cm3 1m
(1029mL)(
Volume of Water Collected 1mL )(100cm3 ) m3
Q= = = 0.00005145
Time 20s s
Solving for the velocity where D, diameter of pipe, is 0.00867 m and H, height of pipe, is
0.705m. Before solving for the velocity, cross-sectional area of the pipe is needed.
0.00867m 2
A = πr 2 = π( ) = 5.9037x10−5 m2
2
Trial 1
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.0000015 s m
u1 = = = 0.02540758
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10−5 m2 s
Trial 2
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.0000019
u2 = = s = 0.03218293 m
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10 m2
−5 s
Trial 3
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.000000255
u3 = = s = 0.04319285 m
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10 m2
−5 s
Trial 4
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.0000042 s m
u4 = = −5 2
= 0.07114122
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10 m s
Trial 5
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.0000072 s m
u5 = = = 0.12195638
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10−5 m2 s
Trial 6
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.0000127
u6 = = s = 0.12511751 m
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10 m2
−5 s
Trial 7
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.000014
u7 = = s = 0.237134741 m
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10 m2
−5 s
Trial 8
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.0000488
u8 = = s = 0.82659326 m
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10 m2
−5 s
Trial 9
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.00005005 s m
u9 = = = 0.85538852
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10−5 m2 s
Trial 10
m3
Volumetric Flow Rate 0.00005145 s m
u10 = = = 0.87147999
Cross − sectional Area 5.9037x10−5 m2 s

Solving for NRe where 𝜌, density of water, is 996.24 kg/m3 and 𝜇, viscosity of water, is 0.008817
Pa‧s.

Trial 1
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.02540758 s )
NRe1 = = = 248.900
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 2
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.03214293 s )
NRe2 = = = 315.274
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 3
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.04319288 s )
NRe3 = = = 423.131
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 4
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.07114122 s )
NRe4 = = = 696.921
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 5
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.12195638 s )
NRe5 = = = 1194.722
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 6
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.12511751 s )
NRe6 = = = 1225.689
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 7
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.23713741 s )
NRe7 = = = 2323.07
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s

Trial 8
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.82659326 s )
NRe8 = = = 8097.558
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 9
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.85538852 s )
NRe9 = = = 8379.646
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s
Trial 10
kg m
Dρu (0.00867m)(996.24 m3 )(0.87177999 s )
NRe10 = = = 8537.282
μ 0.008817 Pa ∙ s

3.3 Sketch
4. Discussion

Whenever release and Re having a little color line was seen or almost straight. This was
plainly observed from stretches, until Re = 2000 i.e from trail 1-6 (refer to Table 3.1). This showed
and indicated a laminar flow. At the point when the release was additionally expanded, the color
line moved towards pipe dividers or walls and still stays in a solitary line. This was seen in the
middle of the lower Re and upper Re when Re = 4000. Such stream shows transition state and
when the releasing is additionally expanded, the straight streak line of the color was seen for a
little separation short of less than one third length of the pipe and afterward the dye is completely
blended in the stream this was turbulent stream since Re is more than 4000.

Studies have demonstrated that the progress from laminar to turbulent stream in tubes isn't
just an element of speed but also a function of density and viscosity of the liquid stream in the
tube. These factors are consolidated into the Reynolds number, which is dimensionless. Reynolds
number can be ascertained by the condition:
𝐷𝑣𝜌
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
The probable sources of any error in the results may be the inaccurate of the collection of
the volume of water that affects the results of the Reynolds number since the collection time of the
volume of water is needed to calculate for the volumetric flow rate and then the velocity which is
ascertained in the Reynolds number. Other sources could be where the temperature of the fluid is
not maintained since the temperature affects the density and viscosity. The temperature should be
maintained in order to have a consistency in the results.

5. Conclusions

The Reynolds number was determined from the equation:

𝐷𝑣𝜌
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇
Where NRe is the Reynolds number, D is the diameter in m, 𝜌 is the fluid density in kg/m3,
𝜇 is the fluid viscosity in Pa‧s and v is the average velocity of the fluid in m/s (where average
velocity is defined as the volumetric flow divided by the cross sectional area of the pipe).
 These parameters affects the Reynolds number of a fluid. When one of the variable in the
equation changes then the Reynolds number changes as well. A Reynolds number of less than
2100, it indicates a laminar flow and a Reynolds number of over 4000 indicates a turbulent flow.
But when the Reynolds number is between 2100 and 4000, it is said to be in the transition state.
The instability of the flow that leads to disturbed or turbulent flow is determined by the ratio of
the kinetic or inertial forces of the viscous forces in the fluid stream.

6. Recommendations

In this trial, the tank is of adequate ability to store water. The utilization of potassium
permanganate is to give a splendidly noticeable brightly visible violet streak to such an extent that
it will be anything but difficult to figure out what sort of stream. Likewise, there ought to be
appropriate materials when gathering the actual released or discharged water into the graduated
cylinder where stream rate is additionally expanded and since stream highlights are getting to be
noticeably different.
REFERENCES

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[4] B. M. Trost and I. Fleming, eds., Comprehensive Organic Synthesis: Selectivity, Strategy
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[5] Zumdahl, S., Zumdahl, S. (2012). Chemistry: An Atoms First Approach, 2nd edition.
Boston, MA: Cengage Learning Inc.