The discussion centers on the possibility of achieving laminar flow in a rectangular cross-section tube with dimensions approximately 1 cm by 5 cm, while air moves at speeds between 100 to 150 m/sec. Participants explore the conditions under which laminar flow might be sustained and the factors that contribute to the onset of turbulence.
Participants express uncertainty about the feasibility of maintaining laminar flow under the specified conditions, with no consensus reached on the effectiveness of potential solutions or the exact distance over which laminar flow might be sustained.
The discussion involves varying calculations of the Reynolds number and the implications of these values on flow characteristics. There are unresolved questions regarding the conditions necessary for laminar flow in high-speed air.
What is your assessment of this so far?Swamp Thing said:Is it possible to create (nearly?) laminar flow in a tube with rectangular C.S. , around 1 cm X 5 cm , with air moving at around 100 to 150 m/sec?
Turbulence will likely set in sooner or later, but can the laminar flow be made to last over say 20 cm?
I agree.Swamp Thing said:When I posted, I had got a Reynolds number around 7000. So I was wondering if it would work if we used a sheaf of soda straws or something to laminarize the flow.
But I have since found errors in my calculation -- the RN is actually like 260,000. So it's probably not doable, I'm thinking.