Scission-induced bounds on maximum polymer drag reduction in turbulent flow

• Published in: Physics of fluids (1994) Vol. 17; no. 9; pp. 095108.1 - 095108.11
• Main Authors: Vanapalli, Siva A., Islam, Mohammad T., Solomon, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melville, NY American Institute of Physics 01.09.2005
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Flows in ducts, channels, nozzles, and conduits; Fluid dynamics; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Physics; Turbulence control; Turbulent flows, convection, and heat transfer; Degradation; Turbulent flow; Pipe flow; Drag reduction; Instrumentation; Experimental study; Polymers

We report the direct quantification of molar mass degradation in the drag-reducing polymers polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyacrylamide (PAM) in turbulent pipe flows with an upstream tapered contraction. We find that entrance effects associated with the upstream contraction dominate the polymer degr...