23. Pipe flow
The chapter on pipe flow discusses the characteristics of flow within pipes, emphasizing viscous flow governed by pressure gradients rather than gravity. It differentiates between laminar and turbulent flow based on the Reynolds number and introduces key concepts such as entrance regions and fully developed flow, which are crucial for understanding fluid dynamics in engineering applications.
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Sections
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What we have learnt
- Viscous flow in pipes is driven by pressure gradients.
- Laminar flow occurs at Reynolds numbers less than 2100, while turbulent flow occurs at Reynolds numbers greater than 4000.
- The entrance region is where flow adjusts from a reservoir to fully developed flow characteristics, with specific formulas governing this transition.
Key Concepts
- -- Laminar Flow
- A type of fluid flow where the fluid moves in smooth layers or streamlines, typically occurring at Reynolds numbers less than 2100.
- -- Turbulent Flow
- A chaotic and irregular flow regime characterized by fluctuations in velocity, occurring at Reynolds numbers greater than 4000.
- -- Reynolds Number
- A dimensionless number that helps predict flow patterns in different fluid flow situations, defined as the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces.
- -- Entrance Region
- The initial length of a pipe where the flow transitions from uniform velocity to fully developed flow, influenced by the Reynolds number.
- -- Fully Developed Flow
- A state of flow in which the velocity profile does not change along the length of the pipe, occurring after the entrance region.
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