Title: Osborn Reynolds experiment

Objectives

To demonstrate the differences between laminar, turbulent, and transitional fluid flow.
To calculate the Reynolds number at which each occurs.

Introduction
Osborn Reynolds experiment is used to investigate the characteristic of the flow of the liquid in the
pipe which is also used to determine the Reynolds number for each state of the flow. The design of
the apparatus allowed studying the characteristic of the flow and calculate the range for the laminar
and turbulent flow where the calculation is used to prove the Reynolds number is dimensionless by
using the Reynolds number formula.
This was demonstrated by Osborne Reynolds in 1883 through an experiment in which water was
discharged from a tank through a glass tube. This experiment characterize Laminar, Transitional and
Turbulent flow in terms of the Reynolds Number.
The Reynolds apparatus allows to visualize the flow and determines whether it is Laminar,
Transitional or Turbulent. An overflow tank maintains a constant pressure head on the flow tube
while flow rate is controlled via the globe valve at the outlet. Dye is injected into the bell mouth at
the flow tube in order to visualize the flow. Flow rates may be determined by collecting the liquid to
a measuring cylinder at the outlet and recording the time it takes to fill a given volume. Moreover
the apparatus should be leveled prior to beginning the experiment.

Theory
The theory is named in honor of Osborne Reynolds, a British engineer who discovers the variables
that can be used as a criterion to distinguish between laminar and turbulent flow. The Reynolds
number Re is:
= () /v
Where;
V = flow velocity (m/s)
d = inside diameter of pipe section (m)
v = kinematic viscosity (m^2/s)

The Reynolds number is widely used dimensionless parameters in fluid mechanics, and Re is
independent of pressure.
Limiting values of Reynolds number to a quantitatively decide whether the flow is laminar or
turbulent are as given below.

Laminar flow
Transition flow
Turbulent flow

Re < 2300
2300 < Re < 4000
Re > 4000

For Reynolds number less than 2000, the pipe flow will be laminar. For Reynolds number from 2000
to 4000 the pipe flow will be considered a transitional flow. Turbulent occur when Reynolds number
is above 4000. The viscosity of the fluid also determines the characteristic of the flow becoming
laminar or turbulent. Fluid with higher viscosity is easier to achieve a turbulent flow condition. The
viscosity of fluid is also dependent on the temperature.

Apparatus

Osborne Reynolds demonstration apparatus

Fabric dye
Thermometer
Stop watch
Measuring cylinder
Pipe line

Procedure
1. The Osborne Reynolds apparatus was set up and measured the inside diameter of the pipe
section. The aluminum well was filled with fabric dye and the metering tap (dye flow control
valve) and drain cock were closed.
2. Turned on the tap line, control valve was opened carefully and tap was adjusted to produce
a constant water level in the reservoir. After a time the pipe section was completely filled.
3. The drain cock was slightly opened to produce a low rate of flow into the test pipe section.
4. The metering tap was opened and the dye was allowed to flow from the nozzle entrance of
the channel until a colored stream was visible along the test pipe section.
5. The water flow was adjusted to a lowest rate until a laminar flow pattern which a straight
thin line or streamline of dye was able to be seen along the whole pipe section.
6. 200ml volume of colored waste water that flow down at the outlet pipe was collected and
noted down the time it took to fill the 200ml. the flow rate was calculated by using these
data.
7. Above two steps were used with increasing rate of flow making a high water flow and an
intermediate flow at the outlet pipe. The changing flow patterns were observed.
8. Two readings were taken from each flow pattern and calculated the Re for all six readings.
9. All the apparatus were cleaned after the experiment.

Results
Run no

Volume V
(m^3)

Time t (s)

1
2
3
4
5
6

0.001
0.001
0.001
0.002
0.002
0.001

10.47
10.07
67.34
132.68
145.42
73.70

Flow rate Q
(x 10^-5
m^3/s)
9.55
9.93
1.49
1.51
1.37
1.35

Velocity V
(m/s)
1.22
1.26
0.189
0.192
0.174
0.173

Reynolds
number
(Re)
15541.4
16050.96
2409.84
2446.16
2223.21
2201.88

Type of
flow
Turbulent
Turbulent
Transition
Transition
Laminar
Laminar

Conclusion
The laminar flow occurs when the fluid is flowing slowly and the turbulent flow occurs when it is
flowing fast. In transitional flow, the flow switches between laminar and turbulent in a disorderly
fashion.
As the water flow rate increase, the Reynolds number calculated also increase and the dye line
change from thin thread to swirling in shape Laminar flow occurs when the Reynolds number
calculated is below than 2300; transitional flow occurs when Reynolds number calculated is between
2300 and 4000 while turbulent flow occurs when Reynolds number calculated is above 4000.It is
proved that the Reynolds equation is dimensionless, no units left after the calculation.
The objectives of the experiment was successfully completed.

References
Bruce R Munson, D. F. Y. T. H. O., n.d. Fundamental Of Fluid Mechanics. fourth edition ed. s.l.:John
Wiley & Sons, Inc..