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Is the critical Reynolds number universal?

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Abstract

This paper is devoted to checking whether the critical Reynolds number is universal in identical conditions for the flow of different fluids. The laminar-turbulent transition in a circular pipe flow has been tested experimentally. The flows of inert gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe), molecular gases (N2, CO, CO2, SF6), and two similar liquids (H2O, D2O) have been tested. A considerable, up to 40%, difference in critical Reynolds numbers was observed. The possible reasons for nonuniversality of the critical Reynolds number are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Thermophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia

    S. Novopashin & A. Muriel

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  1. S. Novopashin
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  2. A. Muriel
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From Zhurnal Éksperimental’no\(\overset{\lower0.5em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\smile}$}}{l} \) i Teoretichesko\(\overset{\lower0.5em\hbox{$\smash{\scriptscriptstyle\smile}$}}{l} \) Fiziki, Vol. 122, No. 2, 2002, pp. 306–309.

Original English Text Copyright © 2002 by Novopashin, Muriel.

This article was submitted by the authors in English.

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Novopashin, S., Muriel, A. Is the critical Reynolds number universal?. J. Exp. Theor. Phys. 95, 262–265 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1134/1.1506433

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/1.1506433

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