17. Laminar and Turbulent Flows
The chapter discusses laminar and turbulent flows, emphasizing the importance of understanding fluid mechanics in designing efficient pipe networks. It introduces concepts like virtual fluid balls, the behavior of fluids under different Reynolds numbers, and the transition from laminar to turbulent flow, highlighting key experimental approaches to study energy losses in fluid transport.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Reynolds number indicates the flow regime of fluids, distinguishing laminar, transitional, and turbulent flows.
- Turbulent flow is characterized by chaotic fluid motion and significant mixing, while laminar flow exhibits smooth, ordered layers.
- Conceptualizing fluid behavior through virtual fluid balls aids in understanding complex flow dynamics, including energy dissipation and momentum transport.
Key Concepts
- -- Laminar Flow
- A type of flow in which fluid moves in smooth, parallel layers with no disruption between them.
- -- Turbulent Flow
- Flow characterized by chaotic changes in pressure and flow velocity, leading to irregular fluctuations and mixing.
- -- Reynolds Number
- A dimensionless number used to predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situations, calculated as the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces in a fluid.
- -- Virtual Fluid Balls
- A conceptual tool used to visualize the dynamic movement of fluid particles and their interactions in turbulence.
- -- Eddies
- Small whirlpool-like structures in turbulent flow that arise from disintegration of larger flow patterns leading to chaotic behavior.
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