Reynold's Number: Understanding Laminar Flow in Smooth Pipes

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between Reynolds number and laminar flow in smooth pipes. It establishes that laminar flow can be maintained at higher Reynolds numbers by minimizing flow disturbances and vibrations. The Reynolds number, defined as the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces, does not have a precise threshold for the transition from laminar to turbulent flow; rather, it is influenced by empirical guidelines. Understanding factors such as pipe smoothness and vibration is crucial for maintaining laminar flow at elevated Reynolds numbers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Reynolds number calculation and significance
  • Fluid dynamics principles, particularly laminar and turbulent flow
  • Empirical guidelines for flow transition
  • Pipe design considerations affecting flow characteristics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of pipe surface roughness on flow behavior
  • Study empirical guidelines for laminar-turbulent transition in fluid mechanics
  • Explore methods to minimize flow disturbances in piping systems
  • Learn about advanced fluid dynamics simulations using software like ANSYS Fluent
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Students and professionals in engineering, particularly those specializing in fluid mechanics, mechanical engineering, and pipeline design, will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement


I was told that the laminar flow can be maintained at much higher Reynold 's number in very smooth pipes by avoiding flow disturbances and pipe vibrations.
the Reynold's number is the ratio of inertia forces to viscous force , in high Reynold's number of inertia force will become dominant , thus the flow is highly distributed , how can flow still be laminar ? it must be turbulent , am i right ?

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The Attempt at a Solution

 
The transition from laminar to turbulent is not given precisely by a certain Reynolds number. Rather, the transition is predicted by engineering empirical guidelines. As these are empirically derived, there is room for flows to exist outside the norms encountered in the experiments used to create those guidelines.

An understanding of the factors that trip the flow to turbulent, such as pipe smoothness and vibration, means we can say that if those values are far lower than the norm then we could push the transition to a higher Reynolds flow for a given geometry. I have encountered this in practice.
 
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