ActivFlo Water Conditioner – Turbulence Explained

Laminer Flow and Turbulent Flow

Laminar flow is where the flow and water moves smoothly through the pipe in layers, different flow speeds in uniform from the surface of the pipe to the centre of the pipe. Momentum convection is less, and viscous forces are higher than inertial forces.

Turbulent flow is highly irregular particle movement and now inertial forces are dominant. The flow velocity characteristic is flat across the center section of a pipe and drops rapidly extremely close to the walls. The average flow velocity is approximately equal to the velocity at the center of the pipe. It is a principle used in design of plate heat exchangers to maximise heat transfer. The same principle works for water conditioning and the ordering of the calcite molecules.

History Fact

The different characteristics of Laminar and Turbulent Flow was first researched in the 19th century by Osbourne Reynolds, and the resultant work is the basis for much of our fluid dynamics knowledge to this day. The ‘Reynolds Factor’ is key to also plate heat exchanger design.

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