Types of Fluid Flow in Pipes

Pipes are circular in cross-section, identical to the shape of a roll of paper towels. We typically use pipes in our homes to distribute water from the water tank to various areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom.

Three different types of fluid flow are written in brief under

1. Laminar flow
2. Turbulent flow
3. Transitional flow

1. Laminar flow:

Occurs when the fluid flows in parallel layers, with no mixing between the layers. Where the center part of the pipe flows the fastest, and the cylinder touching the pipe isn’t moving at all.

The flow is laminar when the Reynolds number is less than 2300.

2. Turbulent flow:

Turbulent flow occurs when the liquid is moving fast with mixing between layers. The speed of the fluid at a point is continuously undergoing changes in both magnitude and direction.

The flow is turbulent when the Reynolds number is greater than 4000.

3. Transitional flow:

Transitional flow is a mixture of laminar and turbulent flow, with turbulent flow in the center of the pipe and laminar flow near the edges of the pipe. Each of these flows behaves in different manners in terms of their frictional energy loss while flowing and has different equations that predict their behavior.

The flow is transitional when the Reynolds number is between 2300 and 4000.