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U.S. Department of Energy
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Similarity laws for turbulent flow of dilute solutions of drag-reducing polymers

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6512883

Velocity similarity laws, based on a 4-layer, mean-velocity-profile model are deduced for turbulent boundary layers with dilute polymer solution by means of pipe-flow experiments. Measured drag reduction is studied in 3 domains: undersaturated, optimal, and oversaturated. Drag reduction increases with increasing concentration in the undersaturated domain where the 4-layer profile exists in the boundary layer. The boundary between the 2 domains gives optimal drag reduction; it is determined by the polymer type and concentration and by a Reynolds number based on shear velocity and boundary-layer thickness. The effects of solvent temperature, pipe diameter, polymer type and concentration, and wall shear stress on the measured drag reduction have been investigated.

Research Organization:
Department of the Navy, Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
6512883
Report Number(s):
NSRDC-4096
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English