CH211P Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Laboratory

Group Number :09

Group Members :Ram Pratik CH23B029

Rishi Ravi CH23B031

Rohil Chafekar CH23B032

Experiment Name :Reynold’s experiment

Date of Experiment :18-02-2025

Date of Submission :25-02-20

Department of Chemical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati

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Aim of the experiment:

1. To visualize laminar, transitional, and turbulent flow regimes using blue dye injection.

2. To calculate Reynolds numbers for different flow conditions.

Theory:

The Reynolds number experiment is a foundational study in fluid mechanics that enables the

visualization and classification of flow regimes in circular pipe systems. By injecting a blue

dye into a controlled water flow, this experiment demonstrates the transition between laminar,

transitional, and turbulent flow states, quantified through the dimensionless Reynolds number.

Critical observations include the stabilization of dye filaments in laminar flow (Re < 2100),

periodic oscillations in transitional flow (2100 < Re < 4000), and rapid dispersion in turbulent

flow (Re > 4000). Calculations of flow velocity and Reynolds number align with theoretical

predictions.

Reynolds Number:

The Reynolds number (Re) is a dimensionless parameter representing the ratio of inertial forces

to viscous forces in a fluid flow. It is defined as:

𝜌𝑉𝐷 𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒

𝑅𝑒 = =
𝜇 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑢𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒

Where,

• 𝜌 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑,

• 𝑉 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑,

• 𝐷 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑟 𝑡𝑢𝑏𝑒,

• 𝜇 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑖𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑.

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Laminar Flow:

Laminar flow occurs at low Reynolds numbers (Re<2100), where viscous forces dominate.

Fluid particles move in parallel layers(called lamina) without lateral mixing, resulting in a

parabolic velocity profile in cylindrical pipes. The laminar near the flow boundary move at a

slower rate as compared to those near the centre of the flow passage. This type of flow occurs

in viscous fluids, fluids moving at slow velocity and fluids flowing through narrow passages.

Transition:

At intermediate Reynolds numbers (2100<Re<4000), flow exhibits intermittent turbulence.

Transition flow is the flow of a fluid that changes from laminar to turbulent, or vice versa.

Turbulent Flow:

Turbulent flow (Re>4,000) is dominated by inertial forces. In this type of flow constant

agitation and intermixing of fluid particles such that their velocity changes from point to

point and even at the same point from time to time. There is the formation of Vortices and

eddies giving a logarithmic velocity profile.

Significance of Dye Visualization:

The injection of a blue dye into the flow stream provides a visual marker to distinguish

between flow regimes. In laminar flow, the dye forms a stable, straight filament due to

dominant viscous forces. Transitional flow introduces periodic undulations, and turbulent

flow causes complete dispersion of the dye.

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History if the experiment:

The Reynolds blue dye experiment, done by “Osborne Reynolds” in 1883, showed how fluid

flow changes from smooth to chaotic. He injected a thin stream of dyed water into a glass

tube with flowing water. At low speeds, the dye stayed in a straight line, showing laminar

(smooth) flow. As the speed increased, the dye started mixing and swirling, showing

turbulent (chaotic) flow. This experiment helped define the Reynolds number, a number that

predicts whether fluid flow will be smooth or turbulent based on its properties and speed.

Experimental setup:

The experiment setup consists of:

1. Water Supply System: Ensures a controllable flow of fluid (Water).

2. Valves: Used to control the flow rate.

3. Pipelines: Connects the devices and provides smooth fluid flow.

4. Stopwatch: To note the time

5. The overhead tank

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 6. Collection tank

7. Transparent circular glass tube

8. Blue dye: (UJALA in our case)

Experimental procedure:

1. Set up the apparatus and ensure all connections are leak-proof.

2. Start the pump and allow water to flow through the system.

3. Fill the water tank and allow air bubbles to dissipate.

4. Open the dye control valve slightly to introduce a thin filament into the glass tube.

5. Start with minimal flow (laminar regime) and incrementally increase discharge using

the outlet valve

6. Measure time (t) to collect a known water volume (Q) for discharge/velocity

calculation.

7. Calculate flow velocity (V) using pipe cross-sectional area (A).

8. Record dye behavior(stable, oscillatory, or dispersed) at each flow rate.

Observation Table:

Run No. Volume(m3)*10-6 Time(s) Observed Type of Flow

1. 180 60 Laminar
2. 602 30 Transient
3. 1000 7.09 Turbulent

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Flow type based on calculated Reynold’s number:

Run Volume(m3)*10-6 Time(s) Volumetric flow Velocity Reynold’s Flow Type

No. rate(m3/s)*10-6 Number
1 180 60 3 0.0333629 355.55 Laminar

2 602 30 20.06666667 0.22316074 2378.28 Transient

3 1000 7.09 141.0437236 1.56854264 16716.40 Turbulent

Observations:

• At low flow rates, the blue dye moves in a straight line, showing that the water flow is

smooth and orderly (laminar flow).

• At moderate flow rates, the dye starts to mix slightly, indicating a transition between

smooth and chaotic flow (transitional flow).

• At high flow rates, the dye spreads and mixes completely with the water, meaning the

flow has become chaotic and turbulent.

SAMPLE CALCULATION:

Required Data:

Diameter of pipe = 0.0107 𝑚

Density of water = 998 Kg/m3

Viscosity of water = 0.001002 𝑃𝑎 𝑠

𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑
Volume Flow rate = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑑

Area = 𝜋d2 /4 = 8.992 ⋅ 10−5 𝑚2

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 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
Velocity = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝜌𝑉𝐷
Reynold’s Number = 𝜇

For,

Volume = 180 ⋅ 10-6 𝑚3

Time = 60 sec

180 ⋅ 10−6
Volume Flow rate = = 3 ⋅ 10-6 𝑚3/s
60

volume flow rate

Velocity = = 0.0333629 m/s
𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎

𝜌𝑉𝐷
Reynold’s number = = 355.55
𝜇

As 𝑅𝑒 < 2100, So Flow is Laminar

Same calculations is done for all the 3 readings.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

For Flow in a pipe based on Reynold’s Number we have different Flow types as follows:

• Laminar Flow: Re<2100

• Transient: 2100<Re<4000

• Turbulent Flow: Re>4000

As we see can see in the Calculation based observation table:

For Run No. 1-

Reynold’s number = 355.55

Which is less than 2100, hence the flow type observed is Laminar.

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For Run No. 2-

Reynold’s number = 2378.28

Which is in between 2100 and 4000, hence the flow type observed is Transitional.

For Run No. 2-

Reynold’s number = 16716.40

Which is greater than 4000, hence the flow type observed is Turbulent.

Observed Flow type and Flow type determined from respective Reynold's number has

matched for observations.

CONCLUSIONS:

For Flow in a Circular pipe based on Reynold’s Number we have different Flow types as

follows:

• Laminar Flow: Re<2100

• Transient: 2100<Re<4000

• Turbulent Flow: Re>4000

References:

• Fox and McDonald’s INTRODUCTION TO FLUID MECHANICS, 8th edition,

• Nevers N d, Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers, 3rd Edition, Tata McGraw Hill

(2011)

• http://www-mdp.eng.cam.ac.uk/web/library/enginfo/aerothermal_dvd_only/aero/fprops/pipeflow/node8.html

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reynolds_number

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SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL:

• Microsoft Excel for all the calculations.

Solved Excel sheet:

• Lab manual (Observation Table)

Team members and contribution:

S. No. Name Roll No. % Contribution

1. Ram Pratik CH23B029 33.33 %

2. Rishi Ravi CH23B031 33.33 %

3. Rohil Chafekar CH23B032 33.34 %

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