Local Reynolds number

This article proposes a definition of the Reynolds number in a form, which is applicable point-wise to an entire volume of fluid. This dimensionless number is termed a local Reynolds number in the article. In the article a few examples of the local Reynolds number distribution are shown using CFD. Those examples are straight pipe, pipe bend and a Karman vortex trail behind a cylindrical wall. Only RANS turbulence models were used, however the local Reynolds number could be at least theoretically applied to any data with a sufficient resolution. In the conclusion some potential uses are hypothesized, like an evaluation of proximity of boundary conditions in a CFD simulation or a comparison of turbulence models as well as general comparison of cases.