Product Details

This apparatus is used to study pressure losses in pipes due to fluid friction, specifically examining the transition from laminar to turbulent flow and determining the critical Reynolds number. It allows students to investigate how the friction factor, a key dimensionless parameter, relates to flow velocity and the resulting pressure drop in a system. The unit features a small-diameter pipe test section where flow conditions are carefully controlled. A standpipe overflow maintains a constant pressure head for laminar flow studies, while turbulent flow is supplied directly from the water main. Valves adjust the flow rate, and pressure losses are measured using sensitive twin-tube manometers, enabling accurate calculation of both the Reynolds number and the friction factor. Its primary application is in engineering education for demonstrating fundamental fluid mechanics principles related to flow resistance. The key benefit is providing hands-on experimental verification of the relationship between pressure loss and flow characteristics, allowing students to directly observe the distinct resistance laws governing different flow regimes and compare their results with theoretical predictions.