National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
SMME
Lab Report 3
COURSE : Fluid Mechanics Lab
SUBMITTED BY : Zain Ahmed (428451)
SECTION : ME-14 B
To observe the laminar, transition and turbulent flow
and calculate Reynold’s number.
➢ Objective:
• To observe and distinguish between laminar, transition and turbulent flow.
• Observe the fluid flow and calculate the Reynold’s number.
➢ Apparatus:
• Reynolds demonstration apparatus
• Stopwatch
• Rotameter
• Cylinder for measuring flow.
Figure 1 Reynold’s apparatus
The equipment includes a vertical head tank that provides a constant head of water through
a bell mouth entry to the flow visualization glass pipe. Stilling media (marbles) are placed
inside the tank to tranquilize the flow of water entering the pipe. The discharge through this
pipe is regulated by a control valve and can be measured using a measuring cylinder. The flow
velocity, therefore, can be determined by calculating Reynolds number. A dye reservoir is
mounted on top of the head tank, from which a blue dye can be injected into the water to
enable observation of flow conditions (Figure 1).
➢ Procedure:
• First ensure that the whole apparatus is connected properly. For example: Inlet and outlet
pipes.
• Ensure that the injector dye is properly positioned and filled with dye solution.
• Connect the apparatus with water source and maintain a level about ¾ of water in head
tank by adjusting and outlet valve.
• Now adjust the control flow valve such that the flow rate is slow to get a laminar flow.
• Note the appearance of the dye streak, including its smoothness, mixing, and formation
of eddies.
• Collect the control flow valve water in measuring cylinder measure the time and volume
of water. Find the volume flow rate using formula:
𝑽
𝑸=
𝒕
Where Q is volume flow rate, V is volume of water in cylinder in time t.
• Then calculate the velocity using formula.
𝑸
𝑼=
𝑨
Where U is velocity, Q is volume flow rate and A is the area.
• Then, calculate Reynold’s number using formula.
𝑼𝑫
𝑹𝒆 =
𝒗
𝒗 is kinematics viscosity.
• Repeat the same above procedure again to observe different flow as well such as transition
and turbulent.
➢ Calculations and Results:
• For laminar flow:
Volume = V = 100 mL
Time = t = 74s
Volume flow rate is given by:
𝑉 10−4
𝑄= = = 1.35135 × 10−6 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑡 74
Velocity can be found using:
𝑄 1.35135 × 10−6
𝑈= = = 7.1 × 10−3 𝑚/𝑠
𝐴 1.9 × 10−4
Reynold’s number can be calculated using:
𝑈𝐷 7.1 × 10−3 × 0.16
𝑅𝑒 = = = 1133
𝑣 1.004 × 10−6
• For transition flow:
Volume = V = 100 mL
Time = t = 26.15s
Volume flow rate is given by:
𝑉 10−4
𝑄= = = 3.824092 × 10−6 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑡 26.15
Velocity can be found using:
𝑄 3.824092 × 10−6
𝑈= = = 20.1268 × 10−3 𝑚/𝑠
𝐴 1.9 × 10−4
Reynold’s number can be calculated using:
𝑈𝐷 20.1268 × 10−3 × 0.16
𝑅𝑒 = = = 3207.45
𝑣 1.004 × 10−6
• For turbulent flow:
Volume = V = 190mL
Time = t = 31.9s
Volume flow rate is given by:
𝑉 1.909 × 10−4
𝑄= = = 5.98432 × 10−6 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑡 31.9
Velocity can be found using:
𝑄 5.98432 × 10−6
𝑈= = −4
= 31.496 × 10−3 𝑚/𝑠
𝐴 1.9 × 10
Reynold’s number can be calculated using:
𝑈𝐷 31.496 × 10−3 × 0.16
𝑅𝑒 = = = 5019.35
𝑣 1.004 × 10−6
The results in tabular form are given below:
Volume Time Flow rate Velocity Reynold’s
V T 𝑉 𝑄 number
𝑄= 𝑈=
𝑡 𝐴 𝑈𝐷
(mL) (s)
𝑚3 /𝑠 𝑚/𝑠 𝑅𝑒 =
𝑣
100 74 1.3514 × 10−6 7.1 × 10−3 1133
100 26.15 3.8241 × 10−6 20.126 × 10−3 3207.45
190 31.9 5.9843 × 10−6 31.496 × 10−3 5019.35
➢ Graph:
Re number vs volume flow rate
6000
5019.35
5000
Reynold's number
4000
3207.45
3000
2000
1133
1000
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Volume flow rate
➢ Discussion of results:
To check whether the flow is laminar or turbulent compare the Reynold’s number with the
following intervals:
❖ If Reynold's number < 2300 flow is laminar.
❖ If 2300 < Reynold's number < 4000 flow is transition.
❖ If Reynold's number >4000 flow is turbulent.
As from the above results all the flows laminar, transition and turbulent flows are achieved
and are verified through Reynold’s number.
➢ Conclusion:
The experiment successfully demonstrated the transition from laminar to turbulent flow
in the Reynolds apparatus. The observed flow patterns correlated well with the calculated
Reynolds numbers, supporting the theoretical understanding of flows.
