Theory

Reynolds number

The Reynolds number is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces. The Reynolds number is
a dimensionless number used to categorize the fluids systems in which the effect of viscosity
is important in controlling the velocities or the flow pattern of a fluid. Mathematically, the
Reynolds number, R e is defined as

Inertial Force (1)

Re =
Viscus Force

It is a dimensionless number comprised of the physical characteristics of the flow. An

increasing Reynolds number indicates an increasing turbulence of flow.

Types of regimes:

• Laminar flow

In fluid dynamics, laminar flow is characterized by smooth or in regular paths of particles of

the fluid, in contrast to turbulent flow, that is characterized by the irregular movement of
particles of the fluid. The fluid flows in parallel layers (with minimal lateral mixing), with no
disruption between the layers. Therefore, the laminar flow is also referred to as streamline or
viscous flow. Laminar flow tends to occur at lower velocities and high viscosity. For laminar
flow reynold’s number value is less than 2000.

Figure 1 Laminar flow [1]

• Transitional flow
The flow which is intermediate between laminar and turbulent flow is translational flow. Its
value of Reynold’s number is between 2000 to 4000.
 Figure 2 Transitional flow [1]

• Turbulent flow
In fluid dynamics, turbulent flow is characterized by the irregular movement of particles (one
can say chaotic) of the fluid. In contrast to laminar flow the fluid does not flow in parallel
layers, the lateral mixing is very high, and there is a disruption between the layers. Turbulence
is also characterized by recirculation, eddies, and apparent randomness. In turbulent flow the
speed of the fluid at a point is continuously undergoing changes in both magnitude and
direction. Value of Reynold’s number for turbulent flow is greater than 4000. [2]

Figure 3 Turbulent flow [1]

Derivation
According to Newton’s law of viscosity:
ⅆ𝑢 (2)
𝜏=𝜇
ⅆ𝑦

Here,
τ = Shear stress.
𝜇 = Viscosity of fluid.
ⅆu
= Velocity gradient.
ⅆy

𝐹
(Shear Stress) 𝜏 =
𝐴
𝐹 ⅆ𝑢
= 𝜇
𝐴 ⅆ𝑦

ⅆ𝑢 (3)
(Viscous force) 𝐹 = 𝐴 𝜇 ⅆ𝑦

Here,
𝐹 is Viscous force
𝐴 𝑖𝑠 Cross-section area
& 𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒 (𝐹) = 𝑚𝑎

Use Newton’s second law in equation (3) and putting (3) in (1)
𝐼𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑅𝑒 =
𝑉𝑖𝑠𝑐𝑢𝑠 𝐹𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒
𝑚𝑎 (4)
𝑅𝑒 =
ⅆ𝑢
𝜇𝐴
ⅆ𝑦

∴ Mass = 𝜌𝐴𝐿
𝑉 ⅆ𝑢 𝑉
Acceleration, 𝑎 = and =
𝑡 ⅆ𝑦 𝐿

Putting value in equation (4)

𝑉
(𝜌𝐴𝐿) ( )
𝑅𝑒 = 𝑡
𝑉
𝜇𝐴 𝐿

𝜌𝐿2
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇𝑡

So, we get (4)

𝜌𝐿𝑉 (5)
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇

(5) is a general equation for Reynolds number.

And
𝜌 is Density of fluid
𝐿 is Hydraulic diameter
𝑉 𝑖𝑠 Velocity of fluid
𝜇 is Viscosity of fluid
Hydraulic diameter is given as
4𝐴𝑐
𝐿=
𝑝

Here,
𝑝 = 𝜋𝐷 is the perimeter of the path following by the flowing fluid.
4𝜋𝐷2
𝐿= 4
𝜋𝐷
As in this experiment we are observing the fluid in a circular pie and for pipe
 L=D

D = Diameter of the pipe.

Putting value “L” in equation (5)

𝜌𝐷𝑉 (6)
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇

𝐷𝑢
𝑅𝑒 = 𝜇
𝜌
𝜇
Kinematic viscosity (𝜈) =
𝜌

𝐷𝑉 (7)
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜈

As flow rate is given as

𝑉
𝑄=
𝑡
𝐴𝐿
𝑄=
𝑡
So that
𝐿
Velocity (𝑉) =
𝑡

𝑄 = 𝐴𝑉
𝑄 (8)
𝑉=
𝐴

Where
Q is Discharge or flow rate.
A is Area of cross section.
𝑉 𝑖𝑠 Velocity of the fluid.
Equation (8) gives the relation for velocity of the fluid.
Putting equation (8) in (6)

𝑄
𝜌𝐷 𝐴
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇

𝜌𝐷𝑄
𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇𝐴
References

[1] R. J, "Type of Flow in Drilling Hydraulics," www.drillingformulas.com, 10 May 2012.

[Online]. Available: http://www.drillingformulas.com/type-of-flow-in-drilling-
hydraulics/. [Accessed 18 November 2019].

[2] Lamarsh, "Reynolds Number," www.nuclear-power.net, 23 jan 2008. [Online].

Available: https://www.nuclear-power.net/nuclear-engineering/fluid-dynamics/reynolds-
number/. [Accessed 18 nov 2019].