TURBULENT DRAG REDUCTION POLYMERIC SOLUTIONS

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive analytical and experimental program on the effect of additives, mainly long-chain molecules, on drag reduction in turbulent flow of aqueous polymeric solutions. The intent of the study was to develop a basic understanding, deduced from the experimental observations, of the underlying physical mechanism responsible for the phenomenon. The paper assumes that the turbulent drag reduction of solutions of high-polymers is due to the damping of turbulent fluctuations by the interspersed polymers, thereby suppressing the generation of turbulence in the viscous sublayer of the flow. Transition itself would also be restrained at sufficiently great polymer concentrations. The basic experiment is the measurement of the friction factor versus Reynolds number for flow in a pipe for various concentrations of a given polymer dissolved in water. The experimental data on drag reduction are interpreted in terms of additive concentration, pipe diameter, and a hydraulic damping thickness analogous to the hydraulic roughness of rough surfaces. Formulas are accordingly derived for velocity profile and friction factor. ( Author )

Supplemental Notes:
- Proceedings of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics Aerospace Sciences Meeting ( 8th ), New York, New York, 19-21JAN70
Corporate Authors:
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY United States 10019

North American Rockwell Corporation

2300 East Imperial Highway
El Segundo, CA United States 90245
Authors:
- Van Driest, E R
Publication Date: 1970-1-21

Media Info

Pagination: 37 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

Accession Number: 00005996
Record Type: Publication
Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
Report/Paper Numbers: AFOSR-70-0593TR Paper, 70-56
Contract Numbers: AF49 ( 638 )-1442
Files: TRIS
Created Date: Nov 25 1974 12:00AM