REYNOLDS NUMBER

EUGENE L. CANENCIA

Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering and Architecture, Cebu

Institute of Technology- University, N. Bacalso Ave., Cebu City, 6000 Philippines

The experiment involved determining the Reynolds number for the system of fluid flow
described. It was also aimed for the experiment to verify that the correlation for the Reynolds
number with the volumetric flow gradient is correct and true. Data gathered and results proved
that as the volumetric flow or the velocity of a fluid increases, the corresponding Reynolds
number (NRe) also increases. This can be concluded from the change of the volumetric flow
from 9.39206e-7 m3/s to 1.44552e-5 m3/s, the NRe also increased from 97.377 to 1498.56. The
fluid flow observed is generally described to be laminar.
1. Introduction

In fluid mechanics and dynamics, problems arise in which the type of

flow is important to be characterized to determine the proper method to be used
in arriving at a certain parameter. When fluids move through a closed channel
of any cross section, either of the two distinct types of flow can be observed. It
can be laminar or turbulent. When the velocity of a flow is slow, the flow
patterns are smooth and there is no formation of swirls within the flow path.
This type of flow is known to be laminar. When the velocity of a flow is fast at
a point where flow pattern become errated and thus, allows the formation of
swirls or eddies, this flow is known to be turbulent [1].

Fluid flow, either laminar or turbulent, can be briefly described by a

number derived from the function of the diameter of the tube to where the fluid
passes through, the thermodynamic property of the fluid such as its density and
viscosity and the flow velocity. This number is called to be the Reynolds
number (NRe). A flow with an NRe that is below 2100 is considered to be laminar
while those flows that has an NRe of above 4000 is considered to be turbulent.
Flows with NRe values between 2100 and 4000 is considered to be in transition
[2]
.

𝐷𝑣𝜌
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇

2. Materials and Methods

2.1 Apparatus

The following apparatus are needed for the experiment:

Osbourne Reynolds Apparatus

250-ml Beaker

Stopwatch

Water Hose

Thermometer
 Ruler

Digital Camera

2.2 Materials

The following materials are needed for the experiment:

Magnesium Permanganate

Water

2.3 Methods

2.3.1 Setting up the experiment

Connecting the water hose to a water source, the Osbourne

Reynolds apparatus was cleaned with water including the dye container. After the
apparatus was cleaned, the pipe diameter was obtained using a ruler which was used to
determine the cross-sectional area of the pipe and the water temperature was measured
using the thermometer to find its density and viscosity.

2.3.2 Starting the experiment by allowing fluid flow

From the water source, the head tank was supplied with water
and pipe control valve was opened to allow flow which was stabilize for 30 second.
Dye was then slowly introduced to the pipe and then volumetric flow of the water was
determined by collecting an amount of it using a beaker in a particular span of time
using a stopwatch. A photo of the behavior of dye was captured to support the
calculations.

2.3.3 Repeating the step while varying the fluid flow

Step 2.3.2 was repeated however; the volumetric flow was varied
using the control valve from a laminar flow to turbulent flow.
3. Results
Table 3.1 Reynolds number with the corresponding flow properties

Trial Volumetric flow Reynolds Number Type of Flow

rate, Q, (m3/s)
1 9.39306e-7 97.377 laminar
2 9.08829e-7 94.218 laminar
3 2.099060e-6 309.85 laminar
4 3.03968e-6 315.11 laminar
5 1.31474e-5 1363.01 laminar
6 1.44552e-5 1498.56 laminar

4. Discussion

The volumetric flow rate was obtained by dividing the amount of fluid obtained
by the span of time the amount was collected.

The Reynolds number for different trials were computed by finding first the
viscosity and density of the water which occurred at 303.15 K, obtaining the velocity
of the fluid derived from the volumetric flow rate and cross-sectional area of the pipe,
and then using the data for the fluid velocity, fluid density, fluid viscosity, and pipe
dimeter to calculate for the said number using this the Reynolds number equation:

𝐷𝑣𝜌
𝑁𝑅𝑒 =
𝜇

It can be observed from Table 3.1 that the NRe for trials 1 to 6 indicated laminar
characterization only (lower than 1400) with a value of 97.377 for trial 1 and 1498.56
for trial 6 even the dye behavior was observed to be transitioning from laminar to
turbulent as the trial went on. This gives the idea that there was an area of error in
achieving the Reynolds number.

Errors in the experiment can be sourced out from the temperature of the fluid,
the diameter of the pipe, the leak of fluid from the pipe, and possibly the size of the
nozzle at the end of the pipe. Since NRe is affected by density and viscosity of the fluid
which is a function of temperature, temperature error could be attributed to the
 thermocouple not calibrated prior to the experiment. Pipe diameter error could be
attributed to inaccurate measurements using the ruler which affected the values for fluid
velocity. Also, the water leak and inconsistent nozzle size was brought by the imperfect
creation of the apparatus and affects the volumetric flow which is an important
parameter for the experiment.

Even with errors, a relation with the NRe and volumetric flow can be described.
As the volumetric flow of water increased as the trials went on, the value for the
Reynolds number also increased. This is explicitly described in Table 3.1.

5. Conclusion

Fluid flow is scientifically described by Reynolds number. Even with an area

for errors in the results achieved, the Reynolds number can be seen to change reltive to
the change in the volumetric flow evident in the flow of dye. As the volumetric flow or
flow velocity increases so as the Reynolds number and as the flow decreases, the
Reynolds number also decreases. This proves that the Reynold number is correct and
can legitimately describe the flow of fluids for various flow systems.

It can be recommended by the result discussion that in order to achieve a better

result in the experiment, parameters must be accurately measured or observed because
a slight error affects greatly the resulting NRe. Nevertheless, the experiment succeeded
in achieving its objective to describe fluid flows.
REFERENCES

[1] Geankoplis, Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations),
Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd, Philippines, 2015, p. 50

[1] Geankoplis, Transport Processes and Separation Process Principles (Includes Unit Operations),
Pearson Education South Asia Pte Ltd, Philippines, 2015, p. 51