Drag reduction by polymer threads

✍ Scribed by J. Vleggaar; M. Tels

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 1973
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 559 KB
• Volume: 28
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0009-2509
• DOI: 10.1016/0009-2509(77)80031-6

✦ Synopsis

Ahstraet-A novel type of drag reduction is described which is caused by long polymer threads in turbulent flow. These threads are formed by axial injection of a concentrated, visco-elastic, polymer solution and persist over a distance of more than 200 tube diameters. The observed drag reduction is particularly effective at low Reynolds numbers. Depending on the properties of the injection system, the 'continuous supply of the polymer solution may change spontaneously into an oscillating supply resulting in periodic pressure drop variations.