FLUID FLOW REGIME

INTRODUCTION

In analyzing fluid dynamics, knowing the type of flow occurring in the fluid is necessary.
Two different types of flow can be observed depending on the conditions present. To visualize
these two types of flow, consider Figure 1.

Figure 1. Reynolds’ experiment for different types of flow:

(a) laminar flow; (b) turbulent flow

Figure 1 shows the experiment that was conducted by Osborne Reynolds. He performed
the experiment using a transparent pipe. Water was allowed to flow in a steady state manner –
using a valve at the end of the pipe to control the flow rate. As shown in the figure, dyed water
was introduced at a point in the pipe. When the flow rate is low, the dye was observed to form a
line. There was no lateral mixing of the fluid, as shown in Figure 1a. This type of flow is called
laminar flow or viscous flow. However, when the flow rate is high, an unstable pattern is observed.
The dye moved in all directions across the pipe, as shown in Figure 1b. This type of flow, where
the eddies are present, is called turbulent flow.
From this experiment, Reynolds number was proposed. Reynolds number is a
dimensionless number. Specifically, it is a ratio of the inertial forces to viscous forces in the fluid
stream. It implies that the type of flow in tubes is not only a function of velocity but also of density
and viscosity of the fluid, and the diameter of the tube. The following is the mathematical definition
of Reynolds number;
𝐷𝑢𝜌
𝑅𝑒 = (Eqn. 1)
𝜇

where Re is the Reynolds number, D is the diameter of the tube/pipe, u is the average velocity of
the fluid flow, 𝜌 is the density of the fluid, and 𝜇 is the viscosity of the fluid.

For a straight circular pipe, when the Reynolds number is less than 2100, the flow is
laminar. When the Reynolds number is greater than 4000, the flow is turbulent. When the Reynolds
number is in between 2100 and 4000, the flow is in transition region.

The objective of this experiment is to analyze the behavior of the dye flowing through the
Reynolds number apparatus and compare it to the computes Reynolds number.

REFERENCE:

Geankoplis, C. J. (1993). Types of Fluid Flow and Reynolds Number. In C. J. Geankoplis,

Transport Processes and Unit Operation, 3rd Edition (pp. 48-50). New Jersey: Prentice-
Hall International, Inc.