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Abstract
The purpose of this lab was to study fluid flow in pipes. The main points of interest were the
turbulent and laminar flows and also the pressure loss the fluid experiences as it moves through
the pipes.
The fluid flow has been classified into 2 different types. The first type is the laminar flow which
is the flow of liquid with low to moderate speeds. In this type of flow the liquid layers move over
each other in a smooth fashion. The second type of fluid flow is the turbulent flow, this type of
flow is attributed towards fluids moving with higher speeds. The liquid layers start exhibiting a
random motion and the shear stress between the layers is much higher than the one in laminar
flows.
Reynolds number is a dimensionless number which sets the criterion as to whether the flow
would be laminar or turbulent. It shows the relation between various parameters of the fluid and
the apparatus. It is defined as:
ρVD
ℜ=
μ
Where ρ stands for the density of the fluid, V stands for its velocity, μ stands for the
viscosity and D stands for the diameter of the pipe.
If the value of the Re is less than 2000 the fluid is said to be laminar and if the value is greater
than 2000 than it is considered turbulent. However, there is a range in which the fluid flow is
considered to be transitional, i-e going from laminar to turbulent. This generally occurs between
2000 – 4000. .Bright Hub]
Apparatus
The apparatus used in this experiment was the Reynolds Apparatus. The apparatus includes a
large tank from the water flow is supplied. A glass tube with the inside diameter of 12.7mm. A
smooth bell mouth inlet from the water enters the tube and where the dye can be injected. The
apparatus also includes a U-tube manometer which is connected to the tube through 2 pressure
taps.
Procedure
Part 1: Visualization of Laminar and Turbulent Flow
- The U-tube manometer was set with its base level and the tubes at an angle of 45º.
- The drain and the valves to both the flow meters were closed in order to cut the flow in
the glass tube.
- The water supply to the tank was turned on and the water level in the inclined manometer
tube was set to between 280 – 320 mm.
- The inlet flow rate to the tank was set so that there was a steady flow over the weir which
provided a constant head for the experiment.
- The temperature of the water in the tank was recorded.
- In order to visualize the laminar flow, the flow rate on the large rotameter was set to 0.02
l /s. The dye was injected into the flow stream several times and the dye streak
distortion was observed.
- In order to visualize the turbulent flow, the flow rate on the large rotameter was set to
0.06 l /s. The dye was again injected into the flow stream several times and the dye
streak distortion was observed.
Part 2: Measurement of Loss in the Pipe
- With the small rotameter closed, manometer differential pressure and volume flow rate
readings were taken at 10 equal increments on the large manometer from 0.2 l /s to 2.0
l /s.
- The flow in the glass tube was shut. The manometer inclination angle was set to 15º from
horizontal in order to increase the sensitivity of the measurements. The manometer
deflection offset was noted.
- The small rotameter was opened and differential pressure readings at 11 flow rate
decrements were recorded from 2.8 l /s to 0.8 l /s.
Citations