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Degradation of dilute polymer solutions in turbulent tube flow

Conference · · AIChE Symp. Ser.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6019209
Many papers have appeared showing the spectacular effects that polymers can achieve in reducing fractional drag for turbulent pipe flow. These papers point out the elaborate precautions taken in order to avoid polymer solution degradation. Before drag-reducing polymers can be utilized intelligently, the drag reduction degradation characteristics of these polymers must be understood. Several papers have presented degradation data of polymer solutions; however, the data reported were exclusively on molecular degradation. Recently, attempts have been made to relate molecular degradation of these polymers to drag reduction degradation. In this study, the drag reduction degradation characteristics of Separan AP30 have been reported and a limited amount of success has been achieved in relating the degradation characteristics of Separan AP30 to polymeric, system, and flow variables. Using a recycle pressure drop experiment, pressure gradients and flow rate measurements were taken at specific intervals of time. From these data, friction factor-time plots were constructed. All friction factor-time plots on log-log coordinates exhibited 3 distinct regions. (77 refs.)
Research Organization:
Notre Dame Univ.
OSTI ID:
6019209
Report Number(s):
CONF-720522-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: AIChE Symp. Ser.; (United States) Journal Volume: 13d
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English