Experiment# 3

Objective:
To observe laminar, transitional and turbulent pipe flow by calculating Reynold’s
No for each regime
Apparatus:

 The FF-08 Hydraulics Bench

 The FF-09 Osborne Reynolds’ Demonstration Apparatus
 Thermometer (to check the temperature of water)
 Stopwatch (to determine time for flow rate)
 Sight Glass (to measure volume)

Chemicals:

 Water
 Dyes (KMnO4)

Theory:

In nature and in laboratory experiments, flow may occur under two very different regimes:
laminar and turbulent. In laminar flows, fluid particles move in layers, sliding over each other,
causing a small energy exchange to occur between layers. Laminar flow occurs in fluids with
high viscosity, moving at slow velocity. The turbulent flow, on the other hand, is characterized
by random movements and intermixing of fluid particles, with a great exchange of energy
throughout the fluid. This type of flow occurs in fluids with low viscosity and high velocity. The
dimensionless Reynolds number is used to classify the state of flow. The Reynolds Number
Demonstration is a classic experiment, based on visualizing flow behavior by slowly and steadily
injecting dye into a pipe. This experiment was first performed by Osborne Reynolds in the late
nineteenth century.

Expanding the stream rate considerably will modify the stream conduct significantly, as the
latency of the liquid (because of thickness) turns out to be more huge than gooey powers; this is
then a tempestuous stream. In fierce pipe stream, color infused at a point is quickly blended
because of the generous horizontal movement in the stream and the color conduct seems
turbulent. These movements seem irregular and emerge from the development of hazards in the
stream. Point by point conduct is difficult to foresee besides in factual terms. There is an in the
middle of stage, temporary stream, in which a color stream will seem to meander about and will
show irregular explosions of blending, trailed by a more laminar conduct. The Reynolds number,
Re, gives a helpful method of portraying the stream, it is characterized as:
 velocity∗Diameter UD
Re = =
Kinematic viscocity v
Where v is kinematic viscosity
U is the mean velocity given in terms of volumetric flow rate
D is diameter of pipe.

It is common practice to take a Reynolds number of 2000 as the value which decides laminar
from turbulent flow. However, this does not take account of the transition region and it may also
be possible (with great care) to keep a flow laminar for Reynolds numbers up to 10,000 or more.
Also, pipe flows with Reynolds number <1800 are inherently laminar.

Equipment Setup:

 Position the Reynolds apparatus on a fixed, vibration free surface (not the pressure driven
seat) and guarantee that the base is level, for example the test-area is then vertical.
Connect the bell mouth section also, add marbles to head tank. This mix delivers an
inflow to the test-area with a low degree of aggravations.

 Associate the bench outflow with the head tank gulf pipe.

 Interface the head tank flood to the water driven seat volumetric tank.

 Join the outflow tube to the apparatus stream control valve and clasp the finish of this
cylinder at a fixed position over the volumetric tank, permitting sufficient room for
addition of the estimating chamber.

 Referencing here, Movement of the outpouring tube end during a test will cause changes
in volumetric flowrate, which is driven by the stature distinction between the head tank
surface and surge point.

 Start the siphon, open the seat valve and the device stream control valve and permit the
framework to load up with water. Then, at that point, change the seat control valve to
create a low over flowrate from the head tank.

 As the test area flowrate is decreased, change the seat valve to keep the flood rate at a
lower level.

 Previously, mounting the color injector, add color to the repository until it is roughly 66%
full with the color control valve shut.

 Join the hypodermic needle, and open the valve (holding the get together over a sink) to
check for free progression of the color.

 Utilize the pointer gave to clean the needle, if a consistent progression of the color can't
be set up. Then, at that point mount the color injector on the head tank and lower the
injector until its outlet is simply over the chime mouth and focused on its hub.
  Close the apparatus outlet flow control valve; open the bench valve and slowly fill the
head tank to the overflow level then close the inlet valve.

 Ensuring that the test-section is water filled. Allow the apparatus to stand for at least five
minutes before proceedings.

Experiment Procedure:

 Open the bench control valve slightly until water tickles from the overflow pipe.

 Open the outlet control valve fractionally and adjust the dye control valve until a slow
flow with clear dye indication is achieved.

 In order to observe the velocity profile in laminar flow, close the bench valve and open
the dye
 control valve to deposit a drop of dye at bell mouth entry. When the outlet control valve
is opened observe the dye as it deforms to take up a three-dimensional paraboloid profile.

 Measure the volume flow rate (measure at least three values of volume filled in 10
seconds and then takes the average) and measure the outflow temperature (of fluid
gathered in the measuring cylinder).

 Measure the kinematic viscosity (from Table 1.1) and check the Reynolds number is less
than 1800.

 Increase the flow rate by opening the apparatus flow control valve and repeat the dye
injections to visualize transitional flow and then, at the highest flow rates, turbulent flow
as characterized by continuous and very rapid mixing of the dye.

 Note that at intermediate flows it is possible to have a laminar characteristic in the upper
part of the test-section, which develops into transitional flow lower down.
Calculations:

No of Observations No of Readings Average Velocity Reynold’s Type of Flow

(QV) (ml / 10s) Readings (QV) (m/s) UD
(m3 / s) QV Number
V= v
A

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Precautions:

1. Personal safety:

a) Ensure proper working of Residual current circuit breaker (RCCB).

b) Wear laboratory coats and closed shoes in laboratory premises.

2. Equipment safety:

a) Ensure proper working of miniature circuit breakers (MCB).

b) Do not start the hydraulic bench without supply water.

c) Thermometer should be dealt with care.

d) Use appropriate way to inject dye in dye reservoir.