Friction reduction in turbulent flow of polymer solution

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Abstract
Recent theoretical results for the turbulent flow of polymer solutions in round tubes have been extended to deduce the similarity laws for the boundary-layer flow of drag-reducing polymer solutions. The analysis shows directly how the drag reduction depends on the elastic properties of the fluid and thereby defines the levels of elasticity necessary to achieve significant reductions in drag.Calculations employing available physical property measurements of highly elastic (0·1%) and moderately elastic (0·01%) polymer solutions indicate that, for boundary layers on large objects, drag reduction may not occur at polymer concentrations that are economically attractive. For example, at a Reynolds number of 109 the reduction in drag is predicted to be 60% and 10% for the concentrated and dilute polymer solutions respectively. Some savings in polymer however, may be realized by special injection techniques or fluid systems with specially tailored properties.