Drag reduction in non-aqueous liquids

Conference · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1972 · AIChE Symp. Ser.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6069111

Ramakrishnan, B C; Rodriquez, F

Reduced pressure drops during turbulent flow can be induced by small amounts of polymeric additives. Although suspensions and ionic soap solutions may show the effect also, most of the work reported has been on aqueous solutions, especially those of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyacrylamide. Effective drag reduction requires polymers of extremely high molecular weight, well in excess of several million. Most water-insoluble polymers were developed for molding or coating applications requiring molecular weights of less than several hundred thousand. On the other hand, the use of thickeners in water-based products such as latexes and food items has brought about commercial production of poly(ethylene oxide) and polyacrylamide of extremely high molecular weight to supplement the natural or modified-natural polysaccharides such as carboxy-methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, starch, and agar. A polystyrene sample (whole polymer, MDvU = 3.4 x 10U6D) was studied in benzene, toluene, and methyl ethyl ketone. In each case, it is observed that as the concentration of the polymer increases, frictional drag reduction increases until an optimum concentration is reached. (14 refs.)

• Research Organization: Cornell Univ.
• OSTI ID: 6069111
• Report Number(s): CONF-720522-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIChE Symp. Ser.; (United States) Journal Volume: 14b
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420400* -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
DRAG
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FRICTION FACTOR
MECHANICS
PIPELINES
TURBULENCE