Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
Universiti Putra Malaysia

EMM3808 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory III

Semester 2, 2018/2019

Lab 4 : EXAMINE THE FLUID FLOW VISUALIZATION

Group : H

Lecturer : ASSOC. PROF. DR. AZMAH HANIM MOHAMED ARIFF

Lab Instructor : NUR AISHAH BINTI DZULKEPLE

Matric No. Name

192355 NUR ASMA IZNI BINTI RUSLAN

192356 AHMAD YUZI HAKIMI BIN MOHD YUSOF

192396 LUQMAN HAKIM BIN DZULKARNAIN

192514 MOHD NUR IRFAN BIN SYAMSUDDINNOR

192562 WAN ABDUL MAJID BIN WAN NORUDIN

Submission Date: 6th MARCH 2019

ABSTRACT
Visualization using timelines is started by marking adjacent fluid particles with
a dye. Fluid particles are marked in any desired shape or curve at the starting instant
called as timeline [4]. Then this timeline is observed in the subsequent motion of the
fluid particles in the fluid flow. The changes in the shape timeline as time pass can
provide useful information about the variations in the properties of the fluid as time
pass [4].
Next to visualize path line for any fluid particle it is marked with a dye and then
observed as it moves. To record the path line, a photograph with prolonged exposure
can be taken or one a move of it for analysis [4]. This can help in tracking any particle
of interest in the flow [4].
Next, streak line is the locus of the positions of the fluid particles, at a particular
instant, which have passed through a same fixed point [3]. To obtain a streak line for
any given point all the fluid particles passing through that point are marked with a dye
or smoke [3]. At any instant, after we have started marking fluid particles, these fluid
particles can be identified in the flow and the line joining them will be the streak line
passing through the given point [3].
Streamlines are lines which are tangent to the flow velocity vector or the flow
direction at every point in the flow field at a particular instant [4]. Streamlines are
defined for any given instant and they change with the flow field [1]. There can be no
flow across the streamlines as they are tangent to the velocity at every point in the
flow [4]. Streamlines are obtained mathematically by integration of the velocity field for
space parameter over the region of flow field under consideration [2].
However, in this week lab activity, we will visually analyse the flow of fluid
around different bodies [1]. We choose square shape, triangle shape and streamline
shape to observe the fluid flow around the bodies [1]. The flow pattern cannot be seen
with naked eyes thus dye is added to see the flow of fluid clearly [1]. The time taken
is taken using a stopwatch and the flow rate of all bodies is measured [1]. Lastly, the
Reynold of al bodies is computed and are compared [1].

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TABLE OF CONTENT

CONTENT PAGE

4.1 Introduction ………………………………………………………...………. 4

4.2 Theoretical Background …………………………………………………. 5

4.3 Experimental Apparatus ………………………………………………….. 6

4.4 Procedure …………………………………………………………………… 7

4.5 Result and Discussion ……………………………………………………. 8

4.6 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………….. 10

4.7 References …………………………………………………………………. 11

4.8 Appendix …………………………………………………………………… 11

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4.1 INTRODUCTION
Fluid flow visualization is the technique of making flow patterns visible to get
qualitative or quantitative information. During the flow visualization experiment dye,
tracer or other tracker is inserted into a fluid to visualize the flow mechanics. There are
several different types of field lines that are used to describe the flow. A streamline is
a line that is tangent to the local velocity vector. Path lines are created by connecting
all the points in space that a tracer passes through. A streak line represents the
velocity of all particles that will pass through a fixed point at any given point in time.
When the flow is steady the path lines, streakl ines, and stream lines are all the same.
The wake that tends to form a pattern behind a circular object like a cylinder is
determined by the Reynolds number. At an extremely large Reynolds numbers the
flow is turbulent, and any kind of pattern becomes difficult to recognize. Fluid flow
visualization use the assumptions that fluid is Newtonian where is the flow is constant
velocity, the shape of object is rigid, and dye is used to measure flow pattern.

Figure 4.1.1: HM150 Fluid flow visualization

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4.2 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND
The flow of fluids such as water can be determined by making their streamlines
visible and easy to be visualize. A pathline is the path or trajectory traced out by a
moving fluid particle. So, in order to make a pathline of a water visible, the use of dye
or ink can be applied, so that then a long exposure photograph of its subsequent
motion and flow can be taken easily. The line traced out by the particle is a path line
of the fluid. This method usually utilize a water table (model HM 150 flow
visualization).[1]
Generally, it is known that the velocity at each point in the flow field remains
constant with time in a steady flow. However, the closer the streamlines of a fluid
situated to each other, that faster the flow speed of the fluid. As for this experiment,
the flow rate of the fluid was to be determined if a few obstacle models of different
shape are applied (square, triangle and wing).
In the water table, the reservoir tank was filled with mixed blue ink to visualize the
flow in a variety of configurations. This is called the color dye technique. As the
obstacle models applied, the blockage effects occur in flow of the fluid. The effects
occur due to the solid wall of the obstacle models that constrained the flow of the fluid
that move around the model.[2]

Figure 4.2.1: The flow visualization of fluid with a triangle-shaped obstacle

Figure 4.2.2: The flow visualization of fluid with a wing-shaped obstacle

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Reynolds number:

Reynolds number for a fluid flow is defined as:

u/
Re =

Where;
u = fluid flow  = density of water  = dynamic viscosity

4.3 EXPERIMENTAL APPARATUS

Capacity of reservoir tank : 200 ml
Hydrostatic pressure in the flow chamber : 50-150 mmWS
Supply/Discharge connection : outer diameter 20 mm
Suitable mean of contrast : ink

Figure 4.3.1 : Compartment of fluid flow visualization

1. Base plate
2. Grips
3. Connections for water supply
4. Water discharge
5. Adjustable reservoir contrast dye
6. Flow chamber
7. Glass pane
8. Knurled-head screws
9. Supply valves for flow chamber
10. Discharge valve
11. Injection bore holes for contrast dye
12. Various flat rubber obstacles
13. Short ascending pipes

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4.4 PROCEDURE

Figure 4.4.1: Apparatus setup structure

1. The flat gasket is positioned exactly onto the boreholes of the flow chamber.
2. An obstacle models is chosen and press firmly onto the plastic plate.
3. The glass pane is laid onto the gasket on one side at supply side. The supply
valve is ensured to supply water and the glass pane is slowly lowed down on
the other side. It is vital to make sure that there are no air bubbles. This step
was repeated a few times to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
4. All the knurled-head screws were tighten by hand. Make sure that there no
any leaks and the water does not spill over the top.
5. The water was run through the apparatus and the flow rate was measured.
6. The blue ink was mixed with a water before it was filled into the tank.
7. The mixed blue ink was filled :
a) The valve (B) was closed.
b) The valve (9a) was slightly opened. Water flowed through the flow
chamber.
c) The reservoir tank was filled with diluted ink.
d) The valve (C) was opened and the valve (B) was slightly opened to
make the ink flow through the thin hose to the injection bore holes.
e) The valves (B) and (C) are closed as the water at valves (C) has a
bluish color.

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 f) It is vital to make sure that there is always enough ink in the reservoir
tank to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
g) Make sure that the valve (9a) was the only opened valve during the
flow observation.
8. The pictures/videos of the streamlines around the selected body are taken.
9. Steps 5 - 8 are repeated for another two different flow rates. (in ascending
order)

4.5 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Table 4.5.1 shows that the result of experiment in various shapes.
SHAPE TIME TAKEN (s) VOLUME FLOW Re
RATE (m2/s)

52.69 3.796 x 10-3 4.2652 x 10-3

30.56 6.545 x 10-3 7.3339 x 10-3

26.10 7.663 x 10-3 8.6101 x 10-3

Density of water = 1000 kg/m3

Dynamic viscosity = 8.9 x 10-3 Pa
Volume of water = 2 x 10-3 m3

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Figure 4.5.1 : streamline picture for square shape

Figure 4.5.2 : streamline picture for triangular

shape

Figure 4.5.3 : Fluid flow visualization of a wing-shaped

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 Flow visualization is an experimental means of examining the flow pattern
around a body or over its surface. When the fluid particle moves in layers called
laminar, then the flow is called laminar flow. When the velocity of flow reaches a
certain limit, the fluid particles no longer move in layers or lamina. So, the flow is
called turbulent flow. Laminar flow occurs when velocity of flow is small and viscous
forces are predominant. Turbulent flow occurs when violent mixing of fluid particles
takes place due to the high velocity they moved which is in chaotic and random
manner. For flow over smooth flat surface Re < 5 x 105, the flow is laminar when Re
> 5 x105, the flow is turbulent.
In this experiment, the result showed that the droplet shape has higher volume
flow rate differ than square and triangle shape which are 7.663 x 10-3, 3.796 x 10-3 and
6.545 x 10-3 respectively. This is because the droplet shape has narrow boundary
layers and makes the flow speed for 2L of water increase. Furthermore, the droplet
shape has highest Re value 8.6101 x 10-3 compare to square and triangle shape which
are 4.2652 x 10-3 and 7.3339 x 10-3 respectively.
The figure 4.5.2 and figure 4.5.3 show that the streamline is single when the ink
is flow out while figure 4.5.1 shows that the streamline is not really clear due to the
little amount of ink that flow out from the hold. So, the experiment for the square shape
is not accurate according to some mistakes. We do not put enough amount of ink into
the reservoir tank for contrast dye, so the colour of the ink is not clear when it mixed
with the water. But the Reynolds numbers that we calculate in Table 4.5.1 show that
all of the shapes that we use are performing laminar flow.

4.6 CONCLUSION
A very thin layer of the fluid adheres to the object's surface and moves together
with it as a single whole carrying along adjacent layers of the fluid due to friction
(viscosity). The velocity of these layers decreases with distance from the object's
surface and at a certain distance the fluid is virtually undisturbed by the motion of the
object. The object is surrounded by a layer of the fluid in which there is a velocity
gradient. This layer is called the boundary layer. Therefore, the frictional forces
between the layers and hence surface of the object create the drag force acting on the
object. The more the streamline of an object, the higher the velocity of fluid.

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4.7 REFERENCES
1. “Flow Visualization – The Physics and Art of Fluid Flow.” Flow Visualization, www.flowvis.org/.

2. Post, Frits H., and Van T. Walsum. Fluid Flow Visualization. Delft University of Technology, 1992.

3. Savas, Ö. “On Flow Visualization Using Reflective Flakes.” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, vol. 152, no.
-1, 1985, p. 235., doi:10.1017/s0022112085000672.\

4. Naveenagrawal. “Fluid Flow Visualization - Timelines, Pathlines, Streaklines and

Streamlines.” Brighthub Engineering, 12 Nov. 2018, www.brighthubengineering.com/hydraulics-civil-
engineering/47653-fluid-flow-visualization/.

4.8 APPENDIX

Figure 4.8.1: Experimental results

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 Figure 4.8.2: Obstacle models that used for the experiment

Figure 4.8.3: Fluid flow visualization of a square-shaped obstacles model

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Figure 4.8.4: Fluid flow visualization of a triangle-shaped obstacle model

Figure 4.8.5: Fluid flow visualization of a wing-shaped obstacle model

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