What is the formula for calculating convective time using the Reynolds number?

[AIR&SPACE]

How does one determine (also read as "what is") the convective time of a flow given its Reynolds number? I've not been able to find a proper description via Google and am thinking it may be too "application specific." Regardless, if anyone has knowledge of this I would greatly appreciate your insight!

 

[boneh3ad]

It is application specific, but it is often the characteristic length of your system (used for Re) divided by the mean flow.

 

[NatSusan]

The convective time of a flow can be determined by using the Reynolds number, which is a dimensionless parameter that relates the inertial forces to the viscous forces in a fluid flow. The convective time, also known as the convective timescale, is a measure of the time it takes for a fluid particle to travel through the flow field.

To calculate the convective time, you will need to know the characteristic length scale and velocity of the flow, as well as the fluid density and viscosity. The convective time can then be found using the following formula:

Convective time = (characteristic length scale) / (velocity * Reynolds number)

The characteristic length scale can vary depending on the flow, but it is usually defined as the longest dimension of the flow field. The velocity can also vary, but it is typically the mean velocity of the flow.

I understand that it can be difficult to find information on this topic through a simple Google search, as it is a bit more specialized and may require some background knowledge in fluid mechanics. However, there are many resources available online, such as textbooks and academic papers, that can provide more in-depth explanations and examples.

I hope this helps and feel free to ask any follow-up questions.