Product Details

This apparatus is designed to visually demonstrate the transition between laminar and turbulent flow in a horizontal pipe configuration, using injected dye to clearly reveal streamlines and help determine the critical Reynolds number. It serves as an essential tool for observing and understanding flow regimes, which is fundamental to the study of fluid dynamics and the factors that influence flow behavior in pipelines. The unit features a transparent horizontal pipe section with a flow-optimized inlet and a layer of glass beads in the water tank to ensure a uniform, low-turbulence flow. A valve allows for precise adjustment of the water flow rate, while ink is injected into the stream to provide vivid visualization of the flow patterns. This setup enables direct observation of the smooth, parallel paths of laminar flow at lower velocities and the chaotic motion of turbulent flow as velocity increases, with the Reynolds number calculated from the flow conditions to quantify the transition point. Its primary application is in educational settings for teaching fluid mechanics principles, offering a clear and engaging method to illustrate abstract concepts like the Reynolds number and flow stability. The key benefit is its ability to provide immediate visual feedback, helping students grasp the practical significance of flow regimes in engineering applications such as pipe systems, water distribution networks, and industrial fluid transport. The horizontal design is particularly effective for demonstrating how gravity-independent flow behaves, reinforcing theoretical knowledge through direct experimental observation.