SHAHJALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPT. OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING AND POLYMER
SCIENCE
LAB REPORT-05
GROUP-01
COURSE CODE: CEP 214
COURSE TITLE: Fluid Mechanics Sessional
NAME OF THE EXPERIMENT: Determination of fluid flow condition by Osborne
Reynold’s apparatus.
DATE OF EXPERIMENT: 24 September 2016
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 7 November 2016
SUBMITTED TO:
Md. Shaiful Alam Amin
Assistant Professor, Dept. of CEP, SUST
Humayun Ahmed
Lecturer, Dept. of CEP, SUST
SUBMITTED BY:
Name Registration number
SHEHAB SHAHREYAR 2014332040
MD. TOWFIQ AHMED SAKIB 2014332049
HUR-E-JANNAT MONI 2014332051
ABDULLAH AL MASUD 2014332056
MD. RAUFUR RAHMAN 2014332066
1. Name of the Experiment:
Determination of fluid flow condition by Osborne Reynold’s apparatus.
2. Objectives:
To determine the volumetric flow rate.
To determine the Reynold’s number for Different flow rates
To determine the fluid flow condition, whether it is laminar, transition or turbulent.
3. Introduction:
The experiment is conducted mainly to study the criterion of laminar, transition and turbulent
flow. In fluid mechanics, internal flow is defined as a flow for which the fluid is confined by a
surface. The flow may be laminar or turbulent. Osborne Reynolds (23 August 1832 - 21
February 1912) was a prominent innovator in the understanding of fluid dynamics and
mechanics. Osborne Reynolds Apparatus consists of water resource for the system supply, fix-
head water input to big and small transparent pipes, dye input by injection unit, and water output
unit to determine water flow rate. The laminar, transition and turbulent flows can be obtained by
varying the water flow rate using the water outlet control valve. Water flow rate and hence the
flow velocity is measured by the volumetric measuring tank. The supply tank consists of glass
beads to reduce flow disturbances. Flow patterns are visualized using dye injection through a
needle valve. The dye injection rate can be controlled and adjusted to improve the quality of flow
patterns[1].
4. Theory:
Reynolds number formula:
ρDv
Re=
μ
Re = Reynolds number
ρ=Fluid density
v = Fluid velocity, (m/s)
D = characteristic length or diameter (m)
µ= Dynamic viscosity (m2/s)
Reynolds number R is independent of pressure [2]
Osborne Reynolds apparatus can be used for measuring Reynold’s number. This apparatus
consists of a pipe which diameter is D. A dye (vegetable dye) also flows with the liquid which is
water & generally shows us the condition of the [Link] can measure volumetric flow rate,Q
of Different types of flow. We get,
Q= AV
Q Q
V= =
A π ¿¿
From this equation we get the velocity of the fluid flow. We know The Reynold’s number is the
ratio of inertia forces to viscous [Link] forces are proportional to mass multiplied by
velocity change divided by time since mass divided by time is the mass flow rate & this is equal
to density ρ,multiplied by cross sectional area by velocity ‘v’,we can write, Inertia force,
F s ∝ ρ D2 v . v……………….(1)
Where D is the diameter of the pipe,
Similarly The viscous forces are given by shear stress multiplied by area,we can write, viscous
flow,
v
Fv ∝ μ . . D 2……………….(2)
D
Now dividing inertia forces,Fs by viscous force Fv,we obtain Reynold’s number
ρ D2 v 2 ρDv
Re = =
v 2 μ ………………(3)
μ D
D
µ
The term is called kinematic viscosityv,It is often convenient to write equation (3) as,
ρ
Dv
Re =
v
Generally, laminar flows correspond to Re<2100, transitional flows occur in the range
2100<Re<4000 and turbulent flows exists for Re>4000. However, disturbances in the flow from
various sources may cause the flow to deviate from this pattern. This experiment will illustrate
laminar, transitional and turbulent flows in a pipe.
5. Apparatus:
Osborne Reynolds apparatus
Vegetable dye
Stop watch
Water as a fluid
Measuring bucket
6. Procedure:
At first set up the apparatus, turn on the water supply, and partially open the discharge
valve.
Adjust the water supply until the level in the constant head tank is just above the
overflow pipe and maintain at this level by a small flow down the overflow pipe. This is
the condition required for all tests and at different flow rates through the tube. The supply
will need to be adjusted to maintain it. At any given condition the overflow should only
be just sufficient to maintain a constant head in the tank.
Record the temperature of the water using the thermometer.
Open and adjust the dye injector valve to obtain a fine filament of dye in the flow down
the glass tube. If the dye is dispersed in the tube, reduced the water flow rate by closing
the discharge valve and adjusting the supply as necessary to maintain the constant head.
A laminar flow condition should be achieved in which the filament of dye passes down
the complete length of the tube without disturbance. Capture the image of the figure by a
camera.
Measure the flow rate by timing and collection of a known quantity of water from the
discharge pipe.
Slowly increase the flow rate by opening the discharge valve until disturbances of the dye
filament are noted, this can be regarded as the starting point of transition to turbulent
flow. Measure and record the flow rate.
Further increasing the flow rate and adjusting the supply as necessary to maintain the
constant head, until the disturbances increase. Then measure and record the flow rate.
The procedure is repeated again for second set of reading all three flow condition
7. Observed Data And Calculations:
Diameter of the pipe, D = 10mm
Area of the pipe, A = 7.584X10-5 m2
Density of the water at room temperature (30◦),ρ = 1000kg/m3
Viscosity of water, µ = 1X10-4 n-s/m2
No. of Dye Volume Time, Volumetri Velocity, Reynoldos Remarks
observ condition V(m3) t(s) c Flow V Number,
ation Rate V=Q/A
Q=V/t (m/s) ρDv
Re=
(m3/s) μ
01. Straight 1.62X10-4 180 1.37 X10-7 0.0113 1130 Laminar
02. Straight 1.62X10-4 89 1.82X10-6 0.0232 2320 Transitional
03. Low 1.85X10-4 80 2.31X10-6 0.0294 2940 Transitional
Spiral
04. High 2.75X10-4 59.6 4.61X10-6 0.0587 5870 Turbulent
Spiral
05. High 2.65X10-4 49.6 5.32X10-6 0.0678 6780 Turbulent
Spiral
06. High 2.60X10-4 30 8.67X10-6 0.1103 11030 Turbulent
spiral
[Link] and Discussion:
According to the theory we know if the value of Re is
Re < 2000 then it’s Laminar Flow
2000<Re<4000 then it’s Transitional flow
Re>4000 then it’s Turbulent Flow
So in accordance to the theory we can state and observe that ; the first observation being a
Laminar flow , the Second and third one being Transitional flow and the last three being
Turbulent flow.
9. Precautions:
We were careful while measuring the volumetric flow rate
We operated stop watch carefully
We were careful while observing the dye condition
References:
1. [Link]
[Link]
2. [Link]/prof/kinnas/319lab#7
Contributions:
2014332040>>Data collection & calculation
2014332049>>Objectives, Introduction
2014332051>> Theory
2014332056>>Apparatus, Procedure
2014332066>>Discussion, Precaution
