EXPERIMENT 3:

Flow Visualization and Reynolds Experiment

3.1 Objectives
The objectives of this experiment are to:

(A) Demonstrate the Flow visualization Techniques (through a film) and the flow pattern.

(B) Carry out Reynolds experiment in order to determine the upper critical Reynolds
number for flow in a pipe of circular cross-section.

(C) Describe the Hydraulic Bench.

3.2 Background Information

3.2.1 Flow Patterns

In most of the flow visualization experiments one may observe the pathlines, the
streamlines, and the streaklines. These lines are defined as follows:

3.2.2 Pathline
It is the path of a given fluid particle as it moves in space. If a fluid particle is colored to be
made visible, and one follows its movement over a period of time, it draws a path line in the
flow field as shown in Figure 20.

3.2.3 Streamline
It is a line drawn tangent to the velocity vectors at any instant of time. If at a given instant, the
direction of flow (velocity vector) of particles 1, 2 and 3 is known, the dotted line drawn tangent
to these vectors is called a streamline, as shown in Figure 21.

3.2.4 Streakline
It is the instantaneous locus of all fluid particles that have passed through a given point. If at
point A in a flow field, a dye is injected, then the photograph of the dye stream would be a
streamline. In other words, if fluid particles 1 through 6 have passed successively through
point A, the shown dotted line (joining all these particles at time t) would be the streaklines, as
shown in Figure 22 .

For steady flow all the particles passing through point A will have the same path. Thus, the
streakline coincides with the pathline and will have the same velocity vector. Accordingly,
pathlines, streamlines and streaklines all coincide for steady flow.
Figure 3. 1 Schematic diagram of the pathline

Figure 3. 2 Schematic diagram of the streamline

Figure 3. 3 Schematic diagram of the streakline

3.3 The Reynolds Experiment

3.3.1 Introduction
Flow visualization is one of the important methods in experimental fluid mechanics. It helps
in understanding the flow structure and can be used to obtain quantitative measures of some of
the varying parameters, such as the flow velocity.

Since most fluids are transparent, the majority of the flow visualization techniques depends
basically on coloring some fluid particles to make the flow pattern visible. These techniques
include the injection of smoke in an air flow, injection of colored liquid in water, mixing a
powder material in water, etc.

Our laboratory contains some flow visualization apparatus which includes Reynolds
experiment, Hele-Shaw flow, Open Channel, Hydrogen Bubble Flow Channel, and
Aerodynamic Flow Bench, among others.

3.3.1 Theory
In laminar flow the fluid flows in layers. In turbulent flow, lumps of fluid move from one layer
to another in a random manner in all directions of flow. The difference between the two types
of flow was first identified by Reynolds. By introducing a filament of dye into the flow of
water along a glass pipe he showed the existence of two different types of motion (see Figure
24). At low velocities, the filament appears as a straight line passing down the whole length of
the tube, indicating a laminar flow. At higher velocities, the filament, after passing a little way
along the tube, suddenly mixed with the surrounding water, indicating that the motion had now
become turbulent. Experiments with pipes of different diameters and with water at different
temperatures led Reynolds to conclude that the parameter which determines whether the flow
shall be laminar or turbulent in any particular case is

ρ𝑉𝐷
Re = ------ (2.1)
μ

where:

Re :: Reynolds number
ρ :: density of the fluid
V :: velocity
D :: pipe diameter
μ :: dynamic viscosity of the fluid

Figure 3. 4 Laminar and turbulent flow patterns

Figure 3. 5 Laminar and turbulent flow in experiment

The Reynolds number can be looked as the dimensionless ratio of the inertia forces to the
viscous forces. At low Reynolds numbers the flow is laminar and at high Reynolds numbers
the flow is turbulent. Experiments show that the stable motion for pipe flow is normally
laminar for Re less than 2000. For Re less than 2000 an initially turbulent flow cannot be
maintained indefinitely. This is called the lower critical Reynolds number.

For Re greater than 3000, the pipe flow is usually turbulent. By very careful manipulation of
the apparatus to minimize all disturbances, such as vibrations, it is possible to have laminar
flow for Reynolds numbers much larger than 3000. This value can be as high as 100,000 and
is called the upper critical Reynolds number.

3.3.2 Apparatus Description

The Reynolds Apparatus

Figure 3. 6 Schematic diagram of Reynolds number flow demonstration apparatus

The figure show the Reynolds Number and Transitional Flow apparatus with the Temperature
Control Module (H2ISa). It should be noted that the Temperature Control Module is an
optional ancillary, which is not supplied with the equipment as standard. The basic apparatus
consists of a precision bore alass tube of 12 mm internal diameter which is supported in a
large shroud of rust-proof material. The shroud is open at the front and the inside surface is a
light colour to assist flow visualisation. At the top of the shroud is a constant head tank from
which water can pass into the tube via a specially shaped bell-mouth entry. Water is supplied
to the tank via a diffuser located be low the bell-mouth. This provides a nearly uniform
supply of water to all sides of the bell-mouth.

Further smoothing of the flow is achieved by passing the water through a stilling bed
consisting of glass beads packed above the diffuser. In this way steady uniform flow
conditions are obtained at entry to the bell-mouth. The supply pipe to the tank is at the rear of
the apparatus and can connect either directly to a tap or to the outlet of the temperature
control module.

A fixed overflow pipe is also fitted to the tank to ensure a constant head of water. Connect
this pipe to a drain using a length of flexible hose supplied. A valve at the outlet from the tube
controls the flow through the glass tube. The outlet should be connected via a loose hose to
convenient drain . Flow is measured by timing the collection of a known quantity of water in
a suitable measuring vessel.

The behaviour of the flow in the tube can be observed by injecting a fine filament of dye into
the tube using the special dye injector provided. This consists of a fine injector tube
connected via a valve to a dye reservoir. The assembly mounts onto a plate, which fits on the
top of the constant head tank. The injector tube is positioned such that its outlet is in the
centre of the bell-mouth entry. The complete apparatus is supported on a triangular base with
adjustable feet.
Figure 3. 7 Picture of the Reynolds apparatus

Figure 3. 8 Schematic of the Reynolds apparatus

The Hydraulic Bench

In performing the next five experiments, a continuous supply of fluid will be required.
Moreover, there must be some means of measuring and controlling the flow rate. The
Hydraulic Bench shows schematically in Figures 28, 29 is used for these purposes. This
Hydraulic Bench will be used in the rest of the laboratory experiments. Therefore, one should
be familiar with the layout of the Hydraulic Bench and the way it measures the flow rate.

A water pump draws water from a sump and delivers it to a bench supply valve. The required
experimental apparatus is connected to this valve. Water leaving the apparatus is collected
below the bend in a collecting tank in order to measure the flow rate. After the flow rate is
measured the water is allowed to flow directly from the collecting tank to the sump by opening
the tank outlet valve. We have two types of collecting tanks in our laboratory, namely, the
volumetric tank and the weighing tank as shown in Figures.

In the volumetric tank, a transparent tortuous tube (outside the tank) shows the level of the
fluid in the collecting tank. A scale next to this tube gives the volume (in liters) of the fluid
inside. Using a stop watch, one can measure the time required to collect a certain volume.

In the weighing tank a beam balance is used to measure the weight of the collected water. As
water steadily collects in the weighing tank, there comes a time when the beam moves to its
upper stop; a stop watch is stated at this instance. A known weight is then added (usually 7.5
kg) to the hanger which brings the beam down to its lower stop again. After some time, the
beam will move to its upper point again; the stop watch is stopped at this instance. Sometime,
the beam will move to its upper point again; the stop watch is stopped at this instance. The
time measured is the time required to collect weight of the water equal to the added weight.
Do not forget to open the outlet valve after a measurement has been made. This must be done
so that the sump does not become empty. If the sump becomes empty the pump may get
damaged.

Figure 3. 9 Diagrammatic representation of the hydraulic bench (volumetric tank)

Figure 3. 10 Diagrammatic representation of the hydraulic bench (weight tank)

3.3.3 Experimental Procedure

An apparatus similar to that used by Reynolds is used in our laboratory to demonstrate laminar
and turbulent behavior of a fluid.
(1) Start the flow by opening the supply and the discharge valve (see Figure). Adjust the
valves such that the level of the water in the reservoir is constant.

(2) Adjust the dye injection valve and observe whether the flow is laminar or turbulent.

(3) Measure the flow rate (using a stop watch and a graduated cylinder) by measuring a
known volume in a given period of time.

(4) Calculate the velocity and the Reynolds number.

(5) Repeat the above by progressively increasing flow rates, until you get turbulent flow.
Take about 6 different flow rates (5 laminar and 1 turbulent).

Table 3. 1: Reynolds Experiment Table

Type of the
∀ Time Q V Type of the flow
3 Re observed
(mL) (sec) (m /sec) (m/s) according to Re
flow