Classifying FlowWe can classify the flow by calculate Reynolds NoWhen
The Reynolds No can be calculated from one equation of the following
The distance required for flow to develop is called the entrance length (Le).
For flow entering a circular pipe from a reservoir the Le can be calculated from the following equation:-
Summary
In summary, flow is classified into four categories:- laminar developing, laminar fully developedturbulent developing turbulent fully developed. The key to classification is to calculate the Reynolds number
ExampleConsider fluid flowing in a round tube of length 1 m and diameter 5 mm. Classify the flow as laminar or turbulent and calculate the entrance length for (a) air (50°C) with a speed of 12 m/s and (b) Water (15°C) with a mass flow rate of 8 g/s .
Solution1. Air (50°C), ν = 1.79 × 10-5 m2/s.2. Water (15°C), μ = 1.14 × 10-3 N*s/m2.
The flow is turbulent for air
The flow is laminar for water
Pipe Head Loss
Component head loss is associated with flow through devices such as valves, bends, and tees. Pipe head loss is associated with fully developed flow, and it is caused by shear stresses that act on the flowing fluid.Note that pipe head loss is sometimes called major head loss, and component head loss is sometimes called minor head loss.
Darcy-Weisbach Equation
To use Darcy-Weisbach Equation the flow should be fully developed and steady. The Darcy-Weisbach equation is used for either laminar flow or turbulent flow and for either round pipes or nonround conduits such as a rectangular duct.
ExamplesOil (S = 0.85) with a kinematic viscosity of 6 × 10-4 m2/s flows in a 15 cm pipe at a rate of0.020 m3/s. What is the head loss per 100 m length of pipe?
Example
Water (T = 20°C) flows at a rate of 0.05 m3/s in a 20 cm asphalted cast-iron pipe. What is the head loss per kilometer of pipe?