Introduction

The Osborne Reynolds Apparatus (H102 Reynolds Number Experimental Device) is essential teaching grade fluid mechanics laboratory equipment for engineering education. It visualizes laminar flow, transitional flow and turbulent flow inside circular pipes, helping students understand the dimensionless Reynolds number and flow regime transition principle.

This benchtop Osborne Reynolds Apparatus works together with a basic hydraulics bench as part of our modular fluid mechanics lab system. It is widely adopted for mechanical engineering, civil engineering, energy power engineering and chemical engineering undergraduate coursework.

What Is Osborne Reynolds Apparatus?

The Osborne Reynolds Apparatus replicates Osborne Reynolds’s classic pipe flow experiment. Using dye tracing visualization technology, it shows students how fluid transforms from ordered laminar flow through transitional status into chaotic turbulent flow by adjusting water flow velocity.

Reynolds number is the core dimensionless parameter. It describes the ratio between inertial force and viscous force of fluid:

• Laminar flow: Re approximately below 2320, dye keeps a stable straight line;
• Transitional flow: Re between 2320-4000, dye begins to fluctuate and twist;
• Turbulent flow: Re above 4000, dye mixes rapidly with surrounding water.

Students record flow rate, water temperature and pipe dimension to calculate upper critical Reynolds number and lower critical Reynolds number, compare measured data with theoretical accepted values, and study how kinematic viscosity influences flow patterns.

Main Structure & Key Features of Reynolds Number Experimental Device

Our H102 Osborne Reynolds Apparatus adopts full transparent visual design for teaching lab requirements.

Core Components

1. Constant pressure glass head tank: Equipped with stilling glass beads to stabilise incoming water flow and eliminate turbulence disturbance before entering test section;
2. Dye injector / pear shaped funnel: Inject fine dye filament into the centre of test pipe for clear flow pattern observation;
3. Precision bore glass test tube: Inner diameter 12 mm, outer diameter 16 mm, provides unobstructed view for flow visualisation;
4. Overflow port: Maintains stable constant water head condition;
5. Flow control valve: Gradually adjust outlet flow rate without disturbing incoming flow;
6. Mobile aluminium alloy support frame: Compact footprint, easy to install and move inside teaching laboratories.

Product Advantages

• Excellent flow stability thanks to constant pressure tank and stilling bed assembly;
• Full transparent structure, light coloured protective shroud improves visual effect for laminar turbulent transition demonstration;
• Matches standard basic hydraulics bench, following modular fluid lab concept;
• Low running noise ≤55 dB, operates under normal room temperature and atmospheric pressure condition;
• Simple maintenance, complete experiment guidance documents supplied with delivery.

 Main Technical Specification

Typical Experiments Conducted on Osborne Reynolds Apparatus

The Reynolds number experimental device supports classic fluid mechanics lab exercises for engineering majors:

1. Visual observation of laminar, transitional and turbulent flow: Adjust flow control valve to change water velocity, observe dye filament shape changes inside glass test pipe.
2. Measurement of lower critical Reynolds number: Reduce flow rate from fully turbulent condition until stable straight dye filament reappears; record flow rate and water temperature, calculate lower critical Reynolds number and compare with standard value 2320.
3. Measurement of upper critical Reynolds number: Increase flow rate from stable laminar state until dye filament breaks and mixes; compute upper critical Reynolds number (normally within 3000-5000 range).
4. Study of liquid viscosity effect on flow regime: Change water temperature to alter kinematic viscosity, analyse how viscosity impacts flow transition critical value.
5. Data processing & curve plotting: Record flow, temperature, calculate velocity and Reynolds number, complete lab report and data comparison analysis.

Build Complete Engineering Education Laboratory

Beyond fluid mechanics lab equipment, our manufacturing scope covers aerodynamics & wind tunnel systems, new energy and energy storage experimental benches, heat transfer apparatus, engineering thermodynamics teaching devices, refrigeration and airconditioning test rigs, material and structural mechanics experiment platforms.

Every lab apparatus passes strict factory pretest. We provide operation manuals, experiment instruction handbooks, on site commissioning and operator training for global educational customers. Whether you purchase a standalone Osborne Reynolds Apparatus or plan to set up a full scale fluid mechanics laboratory, our engineering team delivers custom made proposals matching your curriculum and lab site constraints.

Get Your Custom Lab Quotation

If you are sourcing Osborne Reynolds Apparatus or other Engineering Experimental Equipment for university teaching labs, please send your detailed requirements including target experiments, lab space and power supply condition. Our technical team will reply with product datasheet, technical proposal and commercial quotation.