Flow Visualization

UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND

TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT
AGRICULTURE AND BIOSYSTEM

ENGINEERING
TITLE:
A TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE EXPERIMENT
FLOW VISUALIZATION
MEE384
Group C2
ENGINEER
S/N NAME MATRIC NO
1 AGBESINGA JAMIU OLAYINKA 19/30GA018
2 AKINOLA AKIYEMI ISREAL 19/30GA023
3 AJIBOYE OLUWASEGUN SAMUEL 19/30GA022

INTRODUCTION
Fluid dynamics, a branch of physics and

engineering, is dedicated to unraveling the
complex and dynamic nature of fluid motion.
The study of fluid dynamics is central to
several scientific and practical applications,
from understanding aircraft aerodynamics to
optimizing industrial processes. In our flow
imaging experiment, we aim to use the
smoke generator as a valuable tool to gain
insight into the three main types of fluid flow:
laminar, turbulent, and transitional.
Laminar flow: Laminar flow is characterized

by uniform and orderly movement of fluid
particles in parallel layers. In this experiment,
we hope to detect clear streamlines without
much mixing. A smoke generator helps
visualize these well-defined paths, allowing
us to identify regions of laminar flow in a fluid
system.
Turbulent Flow: Turbulent Flow is characterized by
chaotic, irregular movement of fluid particles. As the
fluid velocity increases, the system goes from
laminar to turbulent flow. The smoke generator
becomes an important tool in detecting the onset of
turbulence and visualizing the turbulent
eddies, swirls, and fluid
motion variations characteristic of this type of flow.
Transitional flow: This is an intermediate

state between laminar and turbulent flow.
This system is often complex and exhibits
characteristics of both laminar and turbulent
behavior. Using smoke imaging technology,
we aim to capture the transition zones,
allowing us to observe dynamic transitions
and variations as the fluid moves through
different flow states.
Flow Visualization Applications
Flow visualization techniques find

applications in various industries:
Aerospace: Understanding the airflow

around aircraft and spacecraft is critical to
optimizing design and fuel efficiency
Automobile: Visualizing airflow around

vehicles helps design aerodynamic shapes,
reduce drag, and improve fuel efficiency.
Biomedical Engineering: The study of blood

flow and fluid dynamics in the human body is
essential for medical research and the design
of medical devices.
Environmental science: Monitoring water
and air flows in the natural environment helps
assess the effects of human activities and
plan for sustainability
Process industry: Visualization of fluid flow

in pipelines and industrial processes is critical
to optimizing efficiency and safety.
AIM
 To observe the pattern of flow of air past

various shapes and thereby appreciate the
various ways in which the behaviors of real
fluid in motion fail to conform with the ideal.
 To determine the kind of flow that passes
through an object
APPARATUS
 Smoke generator
 Ball model
 Turbine blade
 Cylindrical model
 Vane
 Aero-foil
THEORY
The patterns formed by moving fluids are often so
complicated that intuition fails when we try to
imagine them. Some flows are so complicated that we
cannot analyze all their details from the governing
equations, even with the biggest computers now
available. Visual images of the actual flows can advise
us of the real flow patterns.
To use any visualization method effectively, one must

know the physical property of the flow or the fluid
that the picture shows. It is important to understand
the relationships between the observed pictures and
four concepts: pathlines, timelines streaklines, and
streamlines.
A pathline is the locus of points traversed by a given

fluid particle during some specified time interval.
A timeline is a set of fluid particles that form a line at
an instant in time. At later times both the shape and
location of the timeline will generally have altered.
A streakline is the locus of particles that have passed

through a prescribed point during a specified time
interval.
A streamline is a line that at a given instant is

everywhere tangent to the velocity vector. The
streamline concept is essentially mathematical.
Dye or smoke issuing slowly from the fixed injector of

the smoke tunnel shows the streaklines passing
through the injection point. In a steady flow such as
we have in the smoke tunnel a steaks, pathline, and
streamline which all pass through a single point are
identical. Thus a single point is Idenfical. Thus the
pictures show the low patterns around the various
objects.
PROCEDURE
The different object was inserted into the smoke
generator to determine whether the flow that passes
through an object is laminar, transition, or turbulent.
Turbine blade: when vertical it has a laminar flow
when Horizontal it is a turbulent
Ball model: it is a transitional flow

Aero foil: Vertical it a laminal flow
Horizontal it is a turbulent
Cylindrical model: transitional flow
Vane: vertical laminar
Horizontal turbulent
OBSERVATION
Precautions
• We make sure that the experiment is performed in a
well-ventilated area to prevent the accumulation of
fumes from the smoke generator
• We ensure that environmental factors such as wind

are been prevented so as not to mitigate their impact
on the accuracy of flow visualization.
CONCLUSION
Flow visualization techniques, which include methods
such as the addition of tracers such as dyes or
particles, the use of optical properties, the monitoring
of temperature changes, the use of flow sensors and
probes, and advanced imaging techniques, are
important to reveal the complexities. of fluid motion.
Among these techniques, the use of a smoke
generator stands out as a particularly valuable tool.
By directing a flow of smoke, the smoke generator
makes fluid movements visible, enabling
comprehensive monitoring of flow patterns and
interactions. This technique proves particularly useful
in scenarios where understanding the general
behavior of the flow, such as around obstacles or
under turbulent conditions, is critical. As
technology advances, the applications of flow
imaging expand and provide comprehensive
insight that helps improve design, optimized
systems, and a deeper understanding of flow
dynamics in a variety of scientific, engineering,
and environmental contexts.

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UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND

AGRICULTURE AND BIOSYSTEM

1 AGBESINGA JAMIU OLAYINKA 19/30GA018

2 AKINOLA AKIYEMI ISREAL 19/30GA023

3 AJIBOYE OLUWASEGUN SAMUEL 19/30GA022

Fluid dynamics, a branch of physics and

Laminar flow: Laminar flow is characterized

Transitional flow: This is an intermediate

Flow Visualization Applications

Flow visualization techniques find

Aerospace: Understanding the airflow

Automobile: Visualizing airflow around

Biomedical Engineering: The study of blood

Process industry: Visualization of fluid flow

 To observe the pattern of flow of air past

To use any visualization method effectively, one must

A pathline is the locus of points traversed by a given

A streakline is the locus of particles that have passed

A streamline is a line that at a given instant is

Dye or smoke issuing slowly from the fixed injector of

Turbine blade: when vertical it has a laminar flow

when Horizontal it is a turbulent

Ball model: it is a transitional flow

Cylindrical model: transitional flow

Vane: vertical laminar

• We ensure that environmental factors such as wind

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