How to determine Laminar Flow

Laminar flow is smooth flow in a straight line. Laminar is the opposite of turbulent flow.

In pipelines, laminar flow occurs when Reynolds number is less than 2,100.

R_e < 2,100

If a stream of dye is inserted into the flow and it continues in a straight, unbroken line, the flow is laminar.

Flow Types

The opposite of laminar flow is turbulent flow, which occurs at a Reynolds number above 4,000.

Laminar: Re < 2,100
Transition: 2,100 < Re < 4,000
Turbulent: Re > 4,000

 

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