Customers are often concerned with what flowrates are compatible with our Multipurpose flow cells and sample systems. To help answer this question Guided Wave has developed a Reynolds Number calculator, which is located towards the bottom of this webpage. The same concerns can also be applied to our family of insertion transmission spectroscopy probes, but we will limit our discussion to the less complex geometry of the flowcell.

The Relationship Between Analyzer Noise and Reynolds Number

The question of flow rate cannot be answered without more information regarding the sample. To achieve stable Near Infrared Spectroscopy readings, a steady flow of fluid must be passing through the optical beam during the measurement. The flow can either be smooth and laminar or turbulent. Flowrate alone cannot be determined without understanding the fluid dynamics such as the kinematic viscosity and the diameter of the pipe passing through the flowcell. Additionally, if the flow has particulates, bubbles, or mixed phases which will vary the chemical composition and index of refraction during the measurement period, then the NIR measurement will not be stable.

What is Viscosity?

The textbook definition of viscosity is the resistance of the fluid to flow or deform. Said another way, viscosity is the thickness of the fluid. The classic example is molasses which is thicker and thus has a higher viscosity than water. This may be referred to as the absolute or dynamic viscosity of the liquid.

What is Kinematic Viscosity?

The kinematic viscosity of a fluid is the ratio of the viscosity of the fluid to the fluid’s density. For most fuel and other liquids, fluid dynamic values have already been tabulated. For example, 100% ethanol at 25C has the following known properties.

What is a Reynolds Number?

The Reynold Number (Re) is a mathematical equation helps to determine if the flow in the pipe is Laminar Flow or Turbulent Flow. This is achieved by relating the kinematic viscosity of the fluid, diameter of the pipe, and the linear speed or flowrate of the liquid sample. See equation 1

*To achieve laminar flow Re < 2100 or turbulent flow Re> 3000

Relating the Flow Rate to the Fluid Velocity.

To calculate the linear velocity of the fluid we use equation 2, shown below. Our 10 mm pathlength Multipurpose Flowcell has an approximate internal surface area of 9.37×10^-5 m².

Calculating the Reynolds Number for Ethanol.

If we assume the flow rate through the inner 0.43-inch pipe diameter (1/2 inch OD pipe) is 3.0 L/min, then we get:

Fluid Velocity = (4*3(L/min)) / (3.14*(0.010922m)) = 0.53 meters per second

Now applying this value into equation 1 with the tabulated value for viscosity we see that:

Re= 0.53 m/s * 0.010922m / 0.000001 m²/s ≈ 4500

Because a Re of 4500 is greater than 3000, we can be confident that the flow through the optical beam of the flowcell is turbulent. Thus measurement of the sample liquid should result in high-quality spectra. This again assumes that the liquid sample passing through the flowcell is heterogeneous and free of particulate matter or other contaminants.

Interested in determining what your Renolds number is? Check out the Reynolds number calculator below.