Water Flow in Tubes - Reynolds Number
Turbulent or laminar flow is determined by the dimensionless Reynolds Number which is important when analyzing fluid flow where there is a substantial velocity gradient (i.e. shear). The Reynolds number indicates the relative significance of the viscous effect compared to the inertia effect and the number is proportional to the inertial force divided by the viscous force.
- Reynold's Number - a definition
The flow is
- laminar when Re < 2300
- transient when 2300 < Re < 4000
- turbulent when 4000 < Re
Reynolds Number for one liter of water at approximately 20oC (68oF) flowing through pipes of different dimensions:
| Pipe Size | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (inches) | 1 | 1 1/2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 18 |
| (mm) | 25 | 40 | 50 | 75 | 100 | 150 | 200 | 250 | 300 | 450 |
| Reynolds number with 1 liter/min | 835 | 550 | 420 | 280 | 210 | 140 | 105 | 85 | 70 | 46 |
| Reynolds number with 1 gal/min | 3180 | 2090 | 1600 | 1060 | 780 | 570 | 400 | 320 | 265 | 175 |
Note that the water viscosity varies with temperature.
- the kinematic viscosity of water at 20oC - used to calculate the table above - is 1.004·10-6 m2/s
- at 0oC the kinematic viscosity is 1.787·10-6 m2/s - the Reynolds values in the table above must be multiplicated with 1.004 / 1.787 = 0.56
- at 100oC the kinematic viscosity is 0.29·10-6 m2/s - the values in the table above must be multiplicated with 1.004 / 0.29 = 3.46
Related Topics
• Fluid Flow and Pressure Loss
Pipe lines - fluid flow and pressure loss - water, sewer, steel pipes, pvc pipes, copper tubes and more.
• Fluid Mechanics
The study of fluids - liquids and gases. Involving velocity, pressure, density and temperature as functions of space and time.
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