Fluid Mechanics -II Lab

Open Ended Lab Report

Contents
1 Title:..............................................................................................................................2
2 Problem statement:........................................................................................................2
3 Introduction:..................................................................................................................2
4 Nomenclature:...............................................................................................................3
5 Objectives:....................................................................................................................3
5.1 Design:...................................................................................................................3
5.2 Fabrication:............................................................................................................3
5.3 Experimentation:....................................................................................................4
5.4 Finding Reynold’s number:....................................................................................4
6 Literature review:..........................................................................................................4

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1 Title:
Experimental Flow Visualization Setup for Determining Reynold’s Number

2 Problem statement:
To create a functional flow visualization setup for experimental determination of
Reynolds number, emphasizing accurate flow characterization and precise observation of
both laminar and turbulent flows for different shapes.

3 Introduction:
Flow visualization is one of the most critical aspects in the field of fluid dynamics.
Studying and analyzing the flow is crucial for any engineering student. For this purpose,
our project introduces a carefully designed flow visualization apparatus, made for
studying fluid flow in rectangular ducts. With a focus on versatility and accuracy, the
design allows for studying flow patterns around different shapes.
We've prioritized simplicity without compromising on functionality. Our setup can
accommodate various shapes making it easy to study flow behavior. Using ink as a visual
tracer helps us see how fluid moves, distinguishing between laminar and turbulent flow.
For velocity calculations, we've included a flow control valve to regulate fluid flow and
measure volume accurately over time. This helps us calculate flow rate and,
subsequently, fluid velocity, which is crucial for finding the Reynolds number.
To find Reynold’s number we have used the formula derived for rectangular ducts, which
is
v × Dh
ℜ=
µk

This formula has been taken from the book of F M. White1

In essence, our project combines practicality with academic rigor. With our setup,
researchers and students can delve into fluid dynamics experiments with clarity and
precision, understanding flow behavior and Reynolds number determination in a
straightforward manner.

4 Nomenclature:
Re Reynold’s number V Volume
1
Frank M. White, Fluid Mechanics, 4th ed., ed. John Lloyd Jack P. Holman (McGraw-Hill Series in Mechanical
Engineering).

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v Velocity t Time
Dh Hydraulic diameter Q Flow rate
µk Kinematic viscosity

5 Objectives:
Following are the four objectives of the project

5.1 Design:
The primary objective was to design a flow visualization setup capable of demonstrating
laminar and turbulent flow phenomena and determining the Reynolds number
experimentally. The design aimed for simplicity, affordability, and functionality,
ensuring ease of construction and operation. The objective was very efficiently achieved.

5.2 Fabrication:
Upon finalizing the design, the fabrication phase involved sourcing materials and
constructing the flow visualization setup according to the design specifications. This
phase focused on ensuring precision and quality in the assembly process to achieve
reliable experimental results.

5.3 Experimentation:
The two experiments have been done on the designed projects:

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 Airfoil Experiment: The airfoil will be placed in the flow visualization setup, and
flow around it will be observed at different Reynolds numbers by adjusting flow
parameters.
 Cylinder Experiment: Similarly, the cylinder will be placed in the setup, and
flow visualization will be conducted at various Reynolds numbers to observe the
flow behavior.

5.4 Finding Reynold’s number:

The final objective is to find Reynold’s number around these shapes for various flow
rates.

6 Literature review:
For this very purpose of finding Reynold’s number, it's necessary to look into the
previous work done on this topic to find a unique area where research is lagging, so it can
be fulfilled, for this purpose five research papers were read and findings are given below:
In the paper of Bakic and Peric2, they performed the experiment of visualizing flow
around a sphere at a high Reynold’s number ranging between 22.000 and 400,000. Their
flow Visualization experiments were carried out in a wind tunnel and in a water channel
to determine the wake structure, separation, and laminar-turbulent transition of a
separated boundary layer behind a sphere. The range of Reynolds numbers covered
varied from 22000 to 400 000 in a wind tunnel and from 50000 to 300 000 in a water
channel. For flow visualization, the smoke and dye methods were used.
Faure and Thierry3 studied the flow visualization in the open cavity at medium-range
Reynold’s number. Visualizations of the flow inside a rectangular cavity with an aspect
ratio varying between 0.5 and 2 have been conducted for 1,150 £ Re £ 10,670. Three-
dimensional spanwise structures are developing. The analysis of the visualization time
course of the flow shows that shear layer secondary instabilities do not cause 3-D
developments, as the latter remains a 2-D phenomenon. The study of the cavity flow with
aspect ratio and Reynolds number has shown three morphological behaviors. The
Reynolds number has little influence on the global flow morphology for this range.

2
Vukman Bakic and Milovan Peric, "Flow visualization of flow around sphere for Reynolds numbers between
22,000 and 400,000," Thermophysics and Aeromechanics 12 (07/06 2005).
3
Thierry Faure et al., "Visualizations of the flow inside an open cavity at medium range Reynolds numbers,"
Experiments in Fluids 42 (02/01 2007), https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-006-0188-8.

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M. Thakor and K. H. Seh4 studied the flow around an Orthocone shape focusing on the
effects of annulation on low Reynold’s number. Their study examines annulation effects
on a flow over an orthoconic structure by performing direct numerical simulations at
various Reynolds numbers. We observe two different shedding mechanisms for the cone
flows. At a low Reynolds number (Re ≤ 750), vortical streaks develop from the cone end,
and hairpin-shaped vortical structures grow as the flow convects downstream (referred to
as hairpin-vortex wake).

4
Mitesh Thakor et al., "Effects of annulation on low Reynolds number flows over an orthocone," Theoretical and
Computational Fluid Dynamics 37, no. 3 (2023).

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Bakic, Vukman, and Milovan Peric. "Flow Visualization of Flow around Sphere for
Reynolds Numbers between 22,000 and 400,000." Thermophysics and
Aeromechanics 12 (07/06 2005): 307-15.
Faure, Thierry, Panayotis Adrianos, F. Lusseyran, and Luc Pastur. "Visualizations of the
Flow inside an Open Cavity at Medium Range Reynolds Numbers." Experiments
in Fluids 42 (02/01 2007): 169-84. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-006-0188-8.
Thakor, Mitesh, Kee Horng Seh, Sareta R Gladson, Martin L Fernandez, Linda C Ivany,
Melissa Green, and Yiyang Sun. "Effects of Annulation on Low Reynolds Number
Flows over an Orthocone." Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics 37,
no. 3 (2023): 357-74.
White, Frank M. Fluid Mechanics. 4th ed. Edited by John Lloyd Jack P. Holman.
McGraw-Hill Series in Mechanical Engineering.

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