Roles of drag reducing polymers in single- and multi-phase flows

It has become a well-known fact that finding sustainable solutions to the unavoidable high pressure losses accompanying pipeline flows to increase the pumping capacity without necessarily adding more pump stations is inevitable. Polymers, as one of the drag reducing agents which have been found to offer such an economic relieve, is the most widely investigated and most often employed in industries because they can produce drag reduction up to 80% when they are added in minute concentrations. In addition, polymer additives modify the flow configurations of multiphase flows to such an extent that stratification of individual phases is enhanced thereby making the separation of the phases at the fluid destination much easier. The achievements so far made and the challenges facing the use of polymers as drag reducers in turbulent single and multiphase flows are comprehensively reviewed. This review discusses the experimental studies of the effects of polymer additives in turbulent flows, the analytical studies, and the proposed models as well as the suggested mechanisms that explain the drag reduction. Likewise, specific areas of interest in the review include phenomena of drag reduction by polymers, factors influencing the effectiveness of the drag reducing polymers, methods of injecting the polymers into the base fluids, degradation of the polymers and industrial applications of polymers as drag reducing agents. The current and future research interests are also addressed. Although finding reveals that there are quite a lot of research in this area, most of the experimental and theoretical works are devoted to single phase flows while the remaining ones are mostly directed towards gas–liquid flows except in very recent time when investigation into the use of polymers in liquid–liquid flows is being focused. Despite this voluminous works on drag reducing polymers, there are no universally accepted models and hence the mechanisms of drag reductions by polymers.     

Going against the flow—A review of non-additive means of drag reduction

The conventional mainstream method of polymer additives for reducing drag in pipes is disadvantageous from certain environmental perspectives. This paper aims to go against the flow by challenging the widespread preference for using polymeric and surfactant-based drag reducers and discusses the performance of five alternative methods that do not involve polymer additives: riblets, dimples, oscillating walls, compliant surfaces, and microbubbles. The hypothetical mechanisms involved, success of each approach, relevant stages of development, important findings, and possible avenue for future research are discussed. The results obtained in this paper have exposed the potentials of new drag reduction technologies.     

长链α-烯烃本体聚合制备油溶性减阻剂的研究

以负载型TiCl4/MgCl2为引发体系,在微正压条件下采用本体聚合法引长链α-烯烃聚合,制备高减阻性能的油溶性减阻剂(DRA).采用正交试验法考察了各项因素对聚合反应的影响,最终确定最优化的工艺条件.聚合物环道减阻测试的结果表明,在环道中添加的质量浓度为0.01 kg/m3时,减阻率高达55％.用乌氏粘度计测定了特性...     

HYDRAULIC TRANSPORT OF COAL IN PIPES WITH DRAG REDUCING ADDITIVES†

The aim of the investigations was to determine the drag reduction produced by polymer additives in the hydraulic transport of coal. As no systematic results were available in the literature, experiments were undertaken using a wide range of flow velocities and polymer concentrations (up to 440 ppm) to obtain a clear picture about the processes involved. Special attention was paid to the effects of polymer degradation. The experiments were carried out on two different facilities for hydraulic transport with pipe diameters of 40 and 250 mm

Two criteria were used for selecting the polymer with the most favourable properties. It was to produce the largest possible amount of drag reduction and have the greatest stability against degradation. Six different types of polymers were investigated. Experiments were undertaken to establish the dependence of drag reduction on the polymer concentration for the polymer showing the best results according to the above-mentioned criteria. It was found that the drag reduction on coal-watei mixtures containing polymer was less than in “pure” polymer solutions (not containing any solid particles). Furthermore, for both coal-water mixtures and “pure” polymer solutions there was always found to be a polymer concentration at which drag reduction reached a maximum and this concentration was higher for the coal-water mixtures. The value of drag reduction increased as the flow velocity was increased. In the polymer degradation experiments the decrease in drag reduction as a consequence of polymer degradation was stronger when the polymer concentration was lower for both the coal-water mixtures and the “pure” polymer solutions. Experiments of longer duration showed that even after several hours of transport in the facility, there was still considerable drag reduction. Finally, it was found that for coal-water mixtures polymer degradation was greater at higher flow velocities.     

SOME MOLECULAR EFFECTS IN DRAG REDUCTION: A SUMMARY†

Dilute solutions of high molecular weight polymers have drawn a great deal of interest in recent years because of their drag reducing characteristics. It is well-known now that a substantial reduction in turbulent frictional drag can be achieved with a very small amount of polymeric additives, usually only a few parts per million by weight (ppmw) in concentration. This unique phenomenon has offered a new dimension in the design development of new marine systems for higher speed, longer range, larger payload as well as possibly quieter machinery. Although the discovery of this turbulent drag reduction phenomenon may be traced back to Toms¹ and Mysels² in the 1940's, the U.S. Navy's exploration of the turbulent drag reduction effect did not begin until the pioneering effort of Hoyt and Fabula in the 1960's. ³ During a period of several years in the early 19707apos;s, an interdisciplinary group at the Naval Research Laboratory undertook an intensive basic research effort to study the effects of polymer molecular structure on turbulent drag reduction. Model compounds were synthesized in the laboratory, and their drag reducing properties characterized. Polymers including polyacrylamide and its derivatives, polyacrylic acid, poiyphosphate and association colloids have been investigated. In this report, an attempt is made to highlight some of the results from that program in a brief summary form.     

SOME MOLECULAR EFFECTS IN DRAG REDUCTION: A SUMMARY†

Dilute solutions of high molecular weight polymers have drawn a great deal of interest in recent years because of their drag reducing characteristics. It is well-known now that a substantial reduction in turbulent frictional drag can be achieved with a very small amount of polymeric additives, usually only a few parts per million by weight (ppmw) in concentration. This unique phenomenon has offered a new dimension in the design development of new marine systems for higher speed, longer range, larger payload as well as possibly quieter machinery. Although the discovery of this turbulent drag reduction phenomenon may be traced back to Toms¹ and Mysels² in the 1940's, the U.S. Navy's exploration of the turbulent drag reduction effect did not begin until the pioneering effort of Hoyt and Fabula in the 1960's. ³ During a period of several years in the early 19707apos;s, an interdisciplinary group at the Naval Research Laboratory undertook an intensive basic research effort to study the effects of polymer molecular structure on turbulent drag reduction. Model compounds were synthesized in the laboratory, and their drag reducing properties characterized. Polymers including polyacrylamide and its derivatives, polyacrylic acid, poiyphosphate and association colloids have been investigated. In this report, an attempt is made to highlight some of the results from that program in a brief summary form.     

Applications of polymer blends: Emphasis on recent advances

In the past decade, polymer blend technology has achieved an important position in the field of polymer science. With increased academic and industrial research interest, the application of polymer blend technology to commercial utility has grown significantly. This review on the applications of polymer blends will cover the major commercial blends in the categories of styrene-based polymer blends, poly(vinyl chloride) blends, polyacrylate blends, polyester and polycarbonate blends, polyolefin blends, elastomer blends, polyelectrolyte complexes, and interpenetrating polymer networks. New developments in polymer blend applications will be discussed in more detail. These systems include linear low-density polyethylene blends with either low- or high-density polyethylene, styrenemaleic anhydride terpolymer/ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) blends, polycarbonate/poly(butylene tetephthalate) blends, new PPO/polystyrene blends, and tetramethyl bisphenol A polycarbonate/impact polystyrene blends. Areas for future research to enhance the potential for polymer blend applications will be presented. The need for improved methods for predicting miscibility in polymer blends is discussed. Weldline strength is a major property deficiency of two-phase systems (even those with mechanical compatibility), and future research effort appears warranted to resolve this deficiency. The use of polymeric compatibilization additives to polymer blends has shown promise as a method to improve mechanical compatibility in phase-separated blends, and will be expected to be the subject of future research programs. Finally, the reuse of polymer scrap is discussed as a future application area for polymer blends. Unique applications recently proposed for polymer blends include immobilization of enzymes, permselective membranes, reverse osmosis membranes, selective ion-exchange systems, and medical applications using polyelectrolyte complexes.     

Polymer induced turbulent drag reduction using pressure and gravity-driven methods

Drag reduction using polymer additives has been industrially important for enhancing the flow rates and hence the power consumption. In this study, various polymers like PEG, PAM, HPMC were employed with solvents like water and lubricating oil for drag reduction using gravity and pressure driven methods. The optimum set of parameters for maximum drag reduction—polymer concentration, nature of polymer, polymer combinations, exit pipe diameter, solvent-polymer combinations, experimental methodology—were obtained and then the results validated with well known concepts like the Toms effect and Virk's maximum drag reduction asymptote.     

DRAG REDUCTION IN ARTIFICIALLY ROUGHENED PIPES

The influence of an extremely rough surface on the drag reducing properties of polymer solutions is studied by pressure drop measurements in a rough pipe. It is shown that the onset of drag reduction for a homogeneous dilute polymer solution in a rough pipe occurs at the same wall shear stress as in a smooth pipe of the same diameter. In addition, the maximum drag reduction is almost the same in both types of pipes. Similar results are found for so-called heterogeneous drag reduction obtained by injecting a concentrated polymer solution in the centre of the pipe. The injected polymer solution, which is convected along the centre of the pipe as an elastic thread, disintegrates into fine polymer threads in the rough pipe leading to an increased drag reduction. In this case the injection of the same amount of polymer in the form of a concentrated solution is more effective than a homogeneous polymer solution.     

A mechanistic model of turbulent drag reduction by additives

The phenomenon of drag reduction in walled turbulent flows of polymer solutions is theoretically modeled. A new mechanistic model of a polymer molecule in a turbulent flow field is suggested. It is argued that the dominant forces on a polymer fiber in the turbulent flow field are elastic and centrifugal. According to this model, an additional route of dissipation exists, in which eddy kinetic energy is converted to polymer elastic energy by the centrifugal elongation of the rotated polymer, which in turn is viscously damped by the surroundings, when the polymer relaxes. A novel approach is then illustrated, where it is shown that this mechanistic model can be accounted for as a turbulent scale alteration, instead of addition, which enables the classical dimensional analysis of a turbulent boundary layer to apply. Using this dimensional analysis with the equivalent altered scale yields remarkable results. Correct-form velocity profiles are obtained, and Virk's asymptote and slope are predicted with no empirical constants. Drag-flow rate curves are also calculated, and compared favorably with Virk's experiments. The onset of drag reduction phenomenon is also explained by this model, and calculations of it are also compared with Virk's data. The parametric dependencies of the onset point agree well with Virk's conclusions.     

表面活性剂湍流减阻研究进展

从三方面详细阐述了国内外在表面活性剂湍流减阻研究取得的进展,包括表面活性剂溶液物理特性、流变特性、表面活性剂流体湍流减阻和传热特性。在对表面活性剂湍流减阻和传热的相关研究方面,分别从实验和数值模拟的角度进行论述。最后,在提出开发新的表面活性剂添加剂的同时,对进行表面活性剂减阻的研究趋势进行了展望。     

Drag reduction effectiveness of macromolecules

A working hypothesis has been developed to account for observed drag reduction properties of dilute polymer solutions. Drag reduction effectiveness of polymer solutes is attributed to their ability to form a deformable network structure which inhibits the formation of microvortices in the solvent and retards their ability to migrate through the fluid, coalesce, and result in fully developed turbulence centres. The size of microvortex precursors is tentatively set in the range of 100 Å, and it is assumed that the damping (drag reduction) effect of macromolecules is due to strong association between solvent molecules and polymer chains, immobilizing many of these active precursors. The hypothesis indicates that drag reduction effectiveness of polymers should depend strongly on polymer/solvent interactions in addition to the recognized variables of molecular weight, concentration and geometry of the flow-system. The hypothesis accounts for a number of published anomalous observations and leads to new predictions of drag reduction variations with polymer molecular weight distribution, and temperature. These and related predictions are the focal points of new experimental research studies of the drag reduction phenomenon.     

Hibiscus mucilage for enhancing the flow in blood-stream-like microchannel system

Active drag reduction (DR) methods have been used to enhance flow in pipelines. Such techniques could be applied in the vasculature to improve blood flow without altering the properties of the blood. However, most tested DR additives have been artificial and are considered toxic. In the present work, organic mucilage from hibiscus leaves was extracted and tested with microfluidic devices simulating human heart vessels. Custom-made microchannels were connected to an open-loop micro-flow system. Pressure measurements were used to evaluate the flow enhancement performance of mucilage additives at different concentrations (100–500?ppm). Velocity profiles in the microchannels at narrowed areas were observed using a micro-particle image velocimetry system. A maximum flow increase in 63% was observed at an operating pressure of 50 mbar at 300?ppm hibiscus mucilage.     

Vortex flow of dilute polymer solutions

It has been observed that very d longchain polymers which are effective in turbulent drag reduction inhibit the formation of a vortex or air core as water drains from a tank. This paper considers the fluid mechanical velocity profile measurements have been performed. There appear to be at least two distinct mechanisms for the vortex inhibition—one involving the viscosity enhancement caused by polymer addition, and the other related to the viscoelastic properties of the polymer solutions. This second mechanism is shown to arise due to the generation of high normal stresses as the air core begins to form. The very close correlation between vortex inhibition and turbulent drag reduction suggests that normal stresses may also play an important role in this latter phenomenon.     

表面活性剂湍流减阻研究进展

表面活性剂较高分子聚合物在流体管道输运中具有可逆机械降解特性的优点,更适用于存在高剪切的场合以及封闭的循环回路进行减阻,但存在对其复杂流变特性及减阻机理认识不完善的问题,使得其在减阻领域的应用受到了限制。本文回顾了作者近年来在表面活性剂溶液微观结构、复杂流变学特性、湍流结构以及其与减阻和传热性能之间的内在联系方面的研究进展;介绍了表面活性剂减阻和壁面微沟槽协同作用减阻的研究成果;指出通过拉伸流的方式能够在压损较小的情况下更有效地提高表面活性剂溶液的传热性能。针对表面活性剂现有研究的不足,本文提出4条建议作为表面活性剂的未来研究方向,分别为开发环境友好型高效表面活性减阻剂、强化换热装置的优化设计及优化布置、表面活性剂与其他减阻方式耦合特性的深入研究以及表面活性剂在尺度放大、防腐和减阻持久性方面的实际工业应用研究。     

正交试验在预聚合法合成减阻剂中的应用

在管输油品中加入减阻剂是提高管线输送能力的有效方法。以TiCl4/Al（i—Bu）3为引发体系,用本体预聚合法引发α-烯烃聚合。利用正交试验法确定聚合物的合成条件,分析了预聚合时间、预聚合温度、前后助化剂体积比等因素对聚合产物减阻性能的影响。环道测试结果表明,在优化的合成工艺条件下,能够合成减阻率为50．67％（添加量为10mg／L）,增输率为47．5％的聚合物。     

Recent Advances in Polymer Additive Engineering for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Hydrogels

Hydrogels are hydrophilic polymer materials that provide a wide range of physicochemical properties as well as are highly biocompatible. Biomedical researchers are adapting these materials for the ever-increasing range of design options and potential applications in diagnostics and therapeutics. Along with innovative hydrogel polymer backbone developments, designing polymer additives for these backbones has been a major contributor to the field, especially for expanding the functionality spectrum of hydrogels. For the past decade, researchers invented numerous hydrogel functionalities that emerge from the rational incorporation of additives such as nucleic acids, proteins, cells, and inorganic nanomaterials. Cases of successful commercialization of such functional hydrogels are being reported, thus driving more translational research with hydrogels. Among the many hydrogels, here we reviewed recently reported functional hydrogels incorporated with polymer additives. We focused on those that have potential in translational medicine applications which range from diagnostic sensors as well as assay and drug screening to therapeutic actuators as well as drug delivery and implant. We discussed the growing trend of facile point-of-care diagnostics and integrated smart platforms. Additionally, special emphasis was given to emerging bioinformatics functionalities stemming from the information technology field, such as DNA data storage and anti-counterfeiting strategies. We anticipate that these translational purpose-driven polymer additive research studies will continue to advance the field of functional hydrogel engineering.     

On the mitigation of erosion-corrosion of copper by a drag-reducing cationic surfactant in turbulent flow conditions using a rotating cage

Erosion-corrosion is a complex materials degradation mechanism involving the combined effects of mechanical erosion and electrochemical corrosion. It is known to be induced by high shear stresses in strong flows.One way to mitigate this phenomenon is to use additives reducing the turbulent Reynolds stresses. Oleyltrimethyl ammonium cationic surfactant and sodium salicylate as counter-ion known to form thread-like micelles behaving as drag reducers were tested in this work and successfully imaged by using AFM technique.A shear stress mapping in the rotating cage using an electrochemical method was implemented in the absence and in the presence of surfactant, showing drag reduction amounts up to 65%. In a second step, erosion corrosion of Cu in Na₂SO₄ 0.1 M in the presence of small amounts of NaCl (1 mM) was investigated on Cu microelectrodes located at different positions on plastic coupons in the cage. The surfactant effect was found to be beneficial by preventing the removal of the pre-existing oxide films, otherwise observed in the absence of surfactant. Tests performed with benzotriazole known as a good corrosion inhibitor for Cu, could not prevent either the breaking of the oxide film in strong flow conditions.     

Green Carbon Nanostructures for Functional Composite Materials

Carbon nanostructures are widely used as fillers to tailor the mechanical, thermal, barrier, and electrical properties of polymeric matrices employed for a wide range of applications. Reduced graphene oxide (rGO), a carbon nanostructure from the graphene derivatives family, has been incorporated in composite materials due to its remarkable electrical conductivity, mechanical strength capacity, and low cost. Graphene oxide (GO) is typically synthesized by the improved Hummers’ method and then chemically reduced to obtain rGO. However, the chemical reduction commonly uses toxic reducing agents, such as hydrazine, being environmentally unfriendly and limiting the final application of composites. Therefore, green chemical reducing agents and synthesis methods of carbon nanostructures should be employed. This paper reviews the state of the art regarding the green chemical reduction of graphene oxide reported in the last 3 years. Moreover, alternative graphitic nanostructures, such as carbons derived from biomass and carbon nanostructures supported on clays, are pointed as eco-friendly and sustainable carbonaceous additives to engineering polymer properties in composites. Finally, the application of these carbon nanostructures in polymer composites is briefly overviewed.     

Drag reduction in turbulent pipeline flow of mixed nonionic polymer and cationic surfactant systems

Turbulent drag reduction behaviour of a mixed nonionic polymer/cationic surfactant system was studied in a pipeline flow loop to explore the synergistic effects of polymeric and surfactant drag reducing additives. The nonionic polymer used was polyethylene oxide (PEO) at three different concentrations (500, 1000, and 2000 ppm). The surfactant used was cationic octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (OTAC) at concentration levels of 1000 and 2500 ppm. Sodium salicylate (NaSal) was used as a counter‐ion for the surfactant at a molar ratio of 2 (MR = Salt/OTAC = 2). Relative viscosity and surface tension were measured for different combinations of PEO and OTAC. While the relative viscosities demonstrated a week interaction between the polymer and the surfactant, the surface tension measurements exhibited negligible interaction. The pipeline results show a considerable synergistic effect, that is, the mixed polymer–surfactant system gives a significantly higher drag reduction (lower friction factors) as compared with pure polymer or pure surfactant. The addition of surfactant to the polymer always enhances drag reduction. However, the synergistic effect in mixed system is stronger at low polymer concentrations and high surfactant concentrations. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering