Reduction of friction in fluid transport: experimental investigation

Abstract

Drag reduction (DR) by the use of polymer and surfactant solutions is by far the most effective drag-reducing technique for turbulent flows (up to 8-fold reduction in friction coefficients is possible on straight pipes). From a fundamental point of view, the study of the DR phenomenon offers an opportunity for a better understanding of turbulence in general; from a practical point of view, DR can be used to save pumping power. Commercial implementation of drag-reducing fluids has proved successful for oil pipeline transportation, and looks promising for many other applications that are still under investigation, $e.g.$ district heating or cooling systems, hydronic systems in buildings, sewers, irrigation, industrial processes, etc. Our efforts have focused on two main areas: (A) experimental research on momentum and heat transfer of turbulent flows of drag-reducing solutions, and (B) implementation of these solutions in hydronic cooling systems in buildings for energy conservation purposes. This paper describes an overview of the typical experimental research that we conduct in our non-Newtonian fluid mechanics, rheology, and heat transfer laboratory at UCSB.