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Observations of early turbulence in the pipe flow of drag reducing polymer solutions
Author(s) -
Forame P. C.,
Hansen R. J.,
Little R. C.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
aiche journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.958
H-Index - 167
eISSN - 1547-5905
pISSN - 0001-1541
DOI - 10.1002/aic.690180139
Subject(s) - hagen–poiseuille equation , turbulence , drag , shear stress , reynolds number , shear rate , chemistry , thermodynamics , mechanics , viscosity , pipe flow , newtonian fluid , materials science , flow (mathematics) , physics
Early turbulence has for the first time been observed in the flow of very dilute polymer solutions in tubes larger than capillary size. Flow rate‐wall shear stress measurements were conducted in 0.553 and 0.660 cm. diameter pipes. Polyethylene oxide samples of two molecular weights were employed, dissolved in water‐glycerine mixtures with viscosities ranging from 0.0261 to 0.160 poise. The flow rate‐wall shear stress relationship for these solutions corresponded to Poiseuille's Law below a well‐defined onset wall shear stress, at which the Reynolds number was less than the transition value for Newtonian fluids. As the flow rate was increased from the onset condition, however, the wall shear stress became progessively larger than that predicted by the Poiseuille relationship. The onset wall shear stress for the phenomenon increased linearly with solvent viscosity. Its relationship to polymer concentration was dependent on the solvent viscosity. An explanation for early turbulence is suggested on the basis of these results, and the relationship of the phenomenon to turbulent flow drag reduction is discussed.