IS THE CRITICAL REYNOLDS NUMBER UNIVERSAL?
Novopashin S., Muriel A.

Received: December 26, 2001

PACS: 47.27.Ak

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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 of nonuniversality of critical Reynolds number are discussed.