TRANSITION TO TURBULENCE IN PIPE FLOW FOR WATER AND DILUTE SOLUTIONS OF POLYETHYLENE OXIDE

The transition from laminar to turbulent flow was studied experimentally in a long 0.248 in. ID pipe for both water and for dilute water solutions of polyethylene oxide exhibiting a wide range of drag reduction. In all cases the transition pattern and the growth rates of turbulent patches are similar. The growth rate of turbulent patches indicates that drag reduction is associated with the small-scale structure of the turbulence near the pipe wall, while patch growth is associated with the larger-scale turbulence in the outer flow. For low-disturbance pipe inlet conditions, the strong drag-reducing solutions undergo transition at lower Reynolds numbers than the pure water.

• Corporate Authors:

  Cambridge University Press

  200 Euston Road
  London NW1,   England 
• Authors:
  • Paterson, R W
  • Abernathy, F H
• Publication Date: 1972-1-11

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 177-185
• Serial:
  • Journal of Fluid Mechanics
  • Volume: 51
  • Issue Number: Pt1
  • Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drag; Pipe flow
• Old TRIS Terms: Drag reduction; Pipeline flow theory
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00056269
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Petroleum Institute
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM