Local drag reduction due to injection of polymer solutions into turbulent flow in a pipe; part I: dependence on local polymer concentration

Journal Article · Thu Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1982 · AIChE J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.690280405· OSTI ID:6130191

McComb, W D; Rabie, L H

Aqueous solutions of drag-reducing polymers were injected into turbulent water flow in a pipe. The injection point was situated where the flow was well-developed. Thus, subsequent streamwise variations in pressure drop were due to the injected polymer spreading out across the pipe. The axial development of local drag reduction was monitored by a series of closely-spaced pressure tappings. The corresponding radial dispersion of the injected polymer, as it travelled downstream, was assessed by sampling the flow at various points. Local drag reduction, due to either point injection at the centerline or injection through a slot in the wall, was found to increase with distance downstream. This increase was related to the streamline increase of polymer concentration in a narrow annulus near the pipe wall. It was tentatively concluded that the effective annulus was bounded by 15 less than or equal to y + greater than or equal to 100, in agreement with previous deductions from less direct evidence.

• Research Organization: School of Engineering, Univ. of Edinburgh, Scotland
• OSTI ID: 6130191
• Journal Information: AIChE J.; (United States), Journal Name: AIChE J.; (United States) Vol. 28:4; ISSN AICEA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420205* -- Engineering-- Transport & Storage Facilities-- (1980-)
420400 -- Engineering-- Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DRAG
FLUID FLOW
FLUID INJECTION
INJECTION
INTAKE
PIPES
POLYMERS
REDUCTION
TURBULENT FLOW
WATERFLOODING