The effect of low Reynolds number flows on pitot tube measurements

The transition Pitot tube Reynolds number, below which Bernoulli's Equation is no longer appropriate, was predicted to be approximately 35, compared to a value of 79 obtained from fitting data collected by Barker. The correlation developed in this study provides smoother transitions at both ends of the low Reynolds range. At the low end (Re<10) it converges with a Stokes Law' analogy, while at the critical transition (Re~35) it converges asymptotically with Bernoulli's Equation. The correlation also accurately predicts the behavior of the pressure coefficient with Reynolds numbers between these ranges.