Reynolds number

From GeoClasses

The Reynolds equation is used to predict if flow will be laminar or turbulent.

From Wikipedia Reynolds_number, 12:19, 9 March 2006.

where,

• v_s - mean fluid velocity,
• L - characteristic length or wetted perimeter of the stream,
• μ - (absolute) dynamic fluid viscosity,
• ρ - fluid density.

The higher the Reynolds number (above 2400), the more likely you are to have turbulent flow and the lower the Reynolds number the more likely you are to have laminar flow.

Factors determining type of flow

From Reynolds equation the factors that determine flow type are;

• Stream velocity
  • Higher velocity flow is more likely to be turbulent.
• Stream bed roughness
  • Rough stream beds encourage turbulent flow. (roughness increases the wetted perimeter of the stream.
• Stream sediment load
  • The more material suspended in the stream water the higher the fluid density and the higher the fluid viscosity.

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