Fluid Mechanics Lab

MT 330L Fluid Mechanics

Lab Manual
Department of Mechatronics Engineering
Air University, Islamabad

STUDENT NAME:
Izza Nadeem

SESSION:
F-21

ROLL NO: Lab No. & Objective:

211284 7

DATE OF REPORT SUBMITTED: GRADE/POINTS:

27-04-2024

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Fluid Mechanics Lab

Lab 07
Laminar, transitional and turbulent pipe flow
Objective
To observe laminar, transitional and turbulent pipe flow.

Method
Visualization of flow behavior by injection of a dye into a steady flow in a pipe. This
is a classical experiment and was first performed by Osborne Reynolds in the late
nineteenth century.

Equipment Required
In order to complete the demonstration, we need a number of pieces of equipment.
• The F1-10 Hydraulics Bench which allows us to measure flow by timed volume
collection.
• The F1-20 Reynolds' Apparatus.
• A stopwatch to allow us to determine the flow rate of water (not supplied).
• Thermometer

Theory
A flow can behave in very different ways depending upon which forces predominate
within it. Slow flows are dominated by viscous forces, tend to be well ordered and
predictable and are described as laminar. In laminar pipe flow the fluid behaves as if
concentric layers are sliding over each other with a maximum velocity on the axis,
zero velocity at the tube wall and a parabolic velocity distribution. Dye injected
carefully at a point in a laminar pipe flow will be stretched out by the flow to form a
clear well-defined line. The only mixing that can occur is by molecular diffusion.
Increasing the flow rate substantially will alter the flow behavior dramatically, as
the inertia of the fluid (due to its density) becomes more significant than the viscous
forces; this is then a turbulent flow. In turbulent pipe flow, dye injected at a point is
rapidly mixed due to the substantial lateral motion in the flow and the dye behavior
appears chaotic. These motions appear random and arise from the growth of
instabilities in the flow. Detailed behavior is impossible to predict except in statistical
terms.
There is an in-between stage, transitional flow, in which a dye stream will appear to
wander about and will show intermittent bursts of mixing, followed by a more
laminar behavior.
The Reynolds number, Re, provides a useful way of characterizing the flow, it is
defined as:

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Fluid Mechanics Lab

where v is the kinematic viscosity, u is the mean velocity given in terms of the volume
flow rate and d is the diameter of the pipe.
It is common practice to take a Reynolds number of 2,000 as the value which divides
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 less
than 1,800 are inherently laminar.

Equipment Set Up
Position the Reynolds apparatus on a fixed, vibration-free surface (not the hydraulic
bench) and ensure that the base is horizontal, i.e. the test-section is then vertical.
Attach the bell-mouth entry and carefully add marbles to the head tank, placing them
in by hand. The bell-mouth and marbles produce an inflow to the test-section with a
low level of disturbances.
Connect the bench outflow connection to the head tank inlet pipe. Connect the head
tank overflow to the hydraulic bench volumetric tank. Attach the outflow tube to the
apparatus flow control valve and clamp the end of this tube at a fixed position above
the volumetric tank, allowing enough space for insertion of the measuring cylinder.

NOTE:
Movement of the outflow tube end during a test will cause changes in volume flow
rate, which is driven by the height difference between the head tank surface and the
outflow point.
Start the pump. Slightly open the apparatus flow control valve, then open the bench
valve and allow the system to fill with water. Check particularly that the flow
visualization pipe is properly.

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filled. Once the water level in the head tank reaches the overflow tube, adjust the
bench control valve to produce a low overflow rate.
Check that the dye control valve is closed. Add dye to the dye reservoir until it is
approximately two thirds full. Attach the hypodermic needle. Hold the dye assembly
over a sink, and open the valve, to check for free flow of the dye. Use the stylus
provided to clean the needle, if a steady flow of dye cannot be established. Then mount
the dye injector on the head tank and lower the injector until its outlet is just above
the bell mouth and centered on its axis.
Adjust the bench valve and apparatus flow control valve to return the overflow rate
to a slow trickle (if required), then allow the apparatus to stand for at least five
minutes before proceeding.

Procedure
With the apparatus flow control valve open slightly, and the bench valve adjusted to
produce a slow trickle through the overflow pipe, 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 the bell mouth entry. When the outlet control valve is opened observe the
dye as it deforms to take up a three-dimensional parabolic profile.
Measure the volume flow rate by timed collection, and measure the outflow
temperature (the temperature of the water gathered in the measuring cylinder).
Determine the kinematic viscosity from the data provided on page 11 and check the
Reynolds' number corresponding to this flow type.
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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. As the test
section flow rate is reduced, adjust the bench valve to keep the overflow rate at a low
level. 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.
This upper section behavior is described as an "inlet length flow", which means that
the boundary layer has not yet extended across the pipe radius.

Results
Data and calculated results should be presented and under the following headings:

Volume Time to Temperature Pipe Area Volume Kinematic Reynolds

Collected Collect (°C) (m^2) Flow Viscosity Number (-)
(m³) (s) rate (10°x m²/s)
(m³/s)
0.005 20.99 26 7.854∗ 0.0023 1 2.38
10−5
0.005 22.77 26 7.854∗ 0.0021 1 2.195
10−5

The F1-20 apparatus allows the visualization of flow patterns for laminar,
transitional and turbulent flows. How do flow patterns differ between these
three states? Does the flow condition observed occur within the expected
Reynold's number range for that condition?
Fluid flows in smooth layers with little to no mixing between them in laminar flow.
While there is some mixing between the strata in transitional flow, there is extensive
mixing and chaotic fluid motion in turbulent flow. The experiment's flow condition is
within the range of expected Reynolds numbers for each condition
Describe the velocity profile for laminar and turbulent flows. Does the
profile differ between these two types of flow?
Laminar flow has a parabolic velocity profile, with the fluid velocity being highest in
the center and decreasing towards the walls. With high velocity fluctuations
throughout the flow, the velocity profile is more uniform in turbulent flow. These two
forms of flow have dramatically different profiles.
Students may compare the experimental results obtained with any
theoretical studies they have undertaken.
The readings were similar when compared.

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Applications:
Here are some potential applications:
• Engineering Design and Optimization: Understanding the flow
characteristics in pipes is crucial for designing efficient piping systems in
various engineering applications such as HVAC systems, industrial processes,
and hydraulic systems. Engineers can use the knowledge gained from this lab
to optimize pipe designs for desired flow conditions, minimizing energy losses
and maximizing efficiency.
• Fluid Dynamics Research: This lab provides hands-on experience in
observing different flow regimes, which is valuable for students and
researchers studying fluid dynamics. By analyzing experimental data,
researchers can further explore the complex behavior of fluid flow and validate
theoretical models and computational simulations.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: In environmental engineering,
knowledge of flow regimes is essential for assessing the impact of pollutants
and contaminants transported through pipelines or natural water bodies. By
understanding how flow regimes affect mixing and dispersion, environmental
engineers can better predict and mitigate the spread of pollutants in aquatic
environments.
• Civil Engineering and Water Management: Civil engineers involved in
water supply, irrigation, and drainage projects need to understand flow
behavior in pipelines and open channels. This lab can help students and
professionals gain insights into flow phenomena, enabling them to design
efficient water distribution networks and drainage systems for urban and rural
areas.
• Quality Control in Manufacturing Processes: Industries such as chemical
processing, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals rely on precise control of
fluid flow in pipelines to ensure product quality and consistency. By studying
different flow regimes, engineers can optimize manufacturing processes,
maintain uniform mixing of ingredients, and prevent issues such as
sedimentation or stratification.
• Pipeline and Transport System Maintenance: For industries with
extensive pipeline networks, such as oil and gas or water distribution
companies, understanding flow regimes is crucial for efficient maintenance
and operation. By identifying regions of turbulent flow prone to erosion or
corrosion, operators can prioritize inspection and maintenance activities to
prevent costly failures and downtime.

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Sources of Errors:
Here are some common sources of errors for the lab on observing laminar,
transitional, and turbulent pipe flow:
• Instrumentation Accuracy: The accuracy of instruments such as flow
meters, pressure gauges, and thermometers can introduce errors. Calibration
errors or inherent inaccuracies in the measurement devices can lead to
discrepancies between the measured and actual values of flow rate, pressure,
and temperature.
• Human Error: Errors introduced by human operators, such as inaccuracies
in timing measurements or reading instrument scales, can affect the
experimental results. Variability in the technique of data collection or
recording can lead to inconsistencies in the data.
• Flow Disturbances: External factors such as vibrations, air bubbles, or
irregularities in the pipe surface can disrupt the flow regime inside the pipe,
leading to deviations from the expected behavior. Ensuring a smooth and
uniform flow profile is crucial for accurate observations of laminar,
transitional, and turbulent flow.
• Temperature Fluctuations: Changes in ambient temperature can affect the
properties of the fluid, such as viscosity and density, which in turn influence
the flow characteristics. Fluctuations in temperature within the experimental
setup or in the surrounding environment can introduce errors in the
measurements.
• Pipe Roughness: The roughness of the pipe walls can affect the flow regime,
especially in transitional and turbulent flows. Variations in pipe roughness
between different experimental runs or within the same pipe can lead to
inconsistencies in the observed flow behavior.

Conclusion:
The fluid flow regime is determined by the Reynolds number. The flow is laminar
when it is below 2000 and turbulent when it is over 2000. Although friction losses in
turbulent flow are larger, they can be reduced through improved fluid mixing and
transportation. For constructing and optimizing fluid systems for many purposes,
like pipelines and aircraft wings, it's essential to understand the Reynolds number.

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