Pipe Flow Calculations 2: Reynolds Number and Laminar & Turbulent Flow

Written by:  • Edited by: Lamar Stonecypher
Updated Aug 22, 2010

Pipe flow may be either laminar flow or turbulent flow. Laminar flow is characterized by low flow velocity and high viscosity. Turbulent flow is characterized by high flow velocity and low viscosity. For Reynolds number < 2100, flow is laminar. For Reynolds number > 4000, flow is turbulent.

Introduction

For pipe flow applications, it's often important to be able to determine whether a given flow condition is laminar flow or turbulent flow. Different equations or methods of analysis often apply to laminar flow and turbulent flow conditions.

The concepts of turbulent and laminar flow are shown in the diagram in the next section. Laminar flow (also called streamline flow or viscous flow) occurs for low Reynolds number, with relatively slow flow velocity and high viscosity It is characterized by all of the fluid velocity vectors lined up in the direction of flow. Turbulent flow, on the other hand occurs at high Reynolds number, with relatively high flow velocity and low viscosity. It has point velocity vectors in all directions, although the overall flow is in one direction, along the axis of the pipe.

Practical transport of water or air in a pipe or other closed conduit is typically turbulent flow. Similarly, pipe flow of other gases or liquids with viscosity similar to water will normally be transported in conduits under turbulent flow conditions. Laminar flow will often be present with liquids of high viscosity, such as lubricating oils.

The Reynolds Number

laminar and turbulent flow
click to enlarge
The typical criterion for whether pipe flow is laminar or turbulent is the value of the Reynolds Number. The Reynolds number for pipe flow is defined as Re = DVρ/μ, where D is the pipe diameter, V is the average flow velocity in the pipe, ρ is the density of the flowing fluid and μ is the dynamic viscosity of the flowing fluid. Re is a dimensionless number. Any consistent set of units can be used for D, V, ρ and μ, and will result in Reynolds number being dimensionless. The generally accepted criteria for laminar flow and turbulent flow in terms of Re are as follows:

For Re < 2100, it is laminar flow.

For Re > 4000, it is turbulent flow.

For 2100 < Re < 4000, the flow is in the transition region.

For flow in the transition region, the flow may be either laminar or turbulent, depending upon the nature of the entrance to the pipe and the pipe wall roughness.

Non-circular Conduits - Hydraulic Radius

Fluids also flow through non-circular, closed conduits, such as HVAC ducts or heat exchangers. In that case the definition of the Reynolds Number becomes: Re = 4RHVρ/μ. Note that pipe diameter, D, has been replaced with 4RH, where RH is the hydralic radius, defined as: RH = A/P = cross-sectional area normal to flow/wetted perimeter. For example, the hydraulic radius for a 6" by 12" rectangular furnace duct would be: RH = (0.5)(1)/[(2)(0.5) + (2)(1)] = 0.5/3 = 0.167 ft

Example Calculations

Consider pipe flow of 1.2 cfs of water at 50oF through a 4" diameter pipe. What is the Reynolds Number for this flow? Is it laminar flow or turbulent flow?

Solution: Values for the density and viscosity of water at 50oF are needed. Such values are available in fluid mechanics or thermodynamics textbooks, handbooks and on the internet.

The values needed for this problem are: ρ = 1.94 slugs/ft3 and μ = 2.73 x 10-5 lb-sec/ft2.

The flow velocity, V, can be calculated from V = Q/A = Q/(πD2/4) = 1.2/[π(4/12)2/4] = 1.34 ft/sec.

Substituting values into Re = DVρ/μ gives Re = (1/3)(1.34)(1.94)/2.73 x 10-5, or Re = 3.17 x 104.

This value of Reynolds number is greater than 4000, so this is turbulent flow.


Comments

Showing all 2 comments
 
Harlan Bengtson Jun 7, 2011 12:33 PM
Example Calculations
Thanks for catching the slip ups in the example calculations. The temperature should indeed be 50 degrees F throughout, and the viscosity should be 2.73 x 10^-5 at 50 degrees F. The diameter of 4" is used in the calculations as 4/12 or 1/3 ft. The edited version should be out soon.
Krishna Vani Jun 7, 2011 9:06 AM
Example Calculations
4" diameter pipe - In calculation 3" diameter pipe

50 F or 50 C.
Dynamic viscosity @ 50 F = 2.730
 
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