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Reynolds number
 Category: Hydraulic calculation for fire protection engineers (/Table/Support/Hydraulic-calculation-for-fire-protection-

engineers/)

In fluid mechanics, the Reynolds number (Re) is the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces and consequently it
quantifies the relative importance of these two types of forces for given flow conditions.

It is one of the most important dimensionless numbers in fluid dynamics and is used, usually along with other
dimensionless numbers, to provide a criterion for determining dynamic similitude. It is also used to identify and
predict different flow regimes, such as laminar or turbulent flow this depends on the pipe diameter, the density and
viscosity of the flowing fluid.

Laminar flow occurs at low Reynolds numbers, where viscous forces are dominant, and is characterised by smooth,
constant fluid motion. This occurs when the Reynolds number is less that 2000 and the resistance to flow is
independent of the wall roughness.

Turbulent flow occurs when the Reynolds number exceeds 4000. It this time Eddy current are present within the
flow and the ratio of the internal roughness of the pipe to the internal diameter of the pipe needs to be considered to
be able to determine the friction factor. In large diameter pipes the overall effect of the currents is less significant. In
small diameter pipes the internal roughness can have a major influence on the friction factor.

Between the two states (laminar and turbulent) lies the 'critical zone' where the flow is in a process of change,
depending upon many possible conditions is unpredictable. It may be considered as a combination of the two flow
conditions.

Laminar flow
Coloured filaments are carried along undisturbed
by a stream of water

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Turbulent flow
The coloured filaments are completely dispersing
only a short distance downstream from the point
of injection

Reynolds number can be calculated from the following formula

When:

Q = flow in L/min
p = weight density of fluid in kg/m3
d = internal pipe diameter in mm
µ = absolute (dynamic) viscosity in centipoise cP

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