LAMINAR AND TURBULENT FLOWFluid FlowFlowVelocityProfilesNot all fluid particles travel at the same velocity within a pipe. The shape of the velocity curve(the velocity profile across any given section of the pipe) depends upon whether the flow islaminar or turbulent. If the flow in a pipe is laminar, the velocity distribution at a cross sectionwill be parabolic in shape with the maximum velocity at the center being about twice the averagevelocity in the pipe. In turbulent flow, a fairly flat velocity distribution exists across the sectionof pipe, with the result that the entire fluid flows at a given single value. Figure 5 helps illustratethe above ideas. The velocity of the fluid in contact with the pipe wall is essentially zero andincreases the further away from the wall.Figure 5 Laminar and Turbulent Flow Velocity ProfilesNote from Figure 5 that the velocity profile depends upon the surface condition of the pipe wall.A smoother wall results in a more uniform velocity profile than a rough pipe wall.HT-03 Page 18 Rev. 0
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