Laminar flow is a smooth flow of fluids or gases, while turbulent flow has disruptions. Laminar flow is important for jumbo jets and ventilation systems, while it can also play a key role in pumping and control systems. Engineers must consider laminar or turbulent flow when designing systems, as it can have major implications for their effectiveness. Smoke can be used to model fluid movement.
Laminar flow is the smooth flow of fluids or gases. This contrasts with turbulent flow, where eddies, eddies, cross-currents, and other disruptions appear in the flow. The distinction between these two types of motion can be important, as they result in radically different behaviors of fluids and gases. Various tactics can be used to promote the development of a laminar flow pattern or to create turbulence if desired.
An excellent example of laminar flow can be seen with jumbo jets. The air should eventually flow evenly around the airfoils, keeping the aircraft airborne. If the air above and below the wing were visible, passengers on the plane would be able to see layers of air flowing past each other at different speeds. When the air is turbulent, the aircraft wobbles in the air, because it no longer flies smoothly within a laminar airflow.
This phenomenon can also be seen with ventilation systems such as laminar flow hoods in laboratory settings. Researchers must be able to bypass hazardous materials and use ventilation systems to extract them into a hood for processing into an exhaust system. An even flow of air creates a constant, uniform current to lift materials, off the screed and into the hood. The turbulence can cause the particles to swirl around, which is undesirable, because they could be blown out into the room.
Fluids can exhibit laminar flow just like air. In pipes and tubes it is possible to create a series of rings that are actually concentric. The ring in the center moves very fast, driving the flow of fluid in the tube, while the fluid at the sides barely moves. This example of laminar flow can play a key role in pumping and control systems that use fluid in pipes for various functions. Protrusions within the hose, such as a buildup of material, can create turbulence and disturb the smooth flow of fluid.
When designing systems, engineers may need to think about whether they want laminar or turbulent flow so they can design effectively and appropriately. This can have major implications for everything from building high-rise buildings to designing an efficient cooling fan for a home. Smooth, curved edges can make layering easier, while jagged, rough edges can create a rough turbulent flow that swirls and can behave unpredictably. Researchers can use smoke in a wind tunnel to demonstrate how air flows over or through an object of interest and to model the movement of fluids.
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