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The effect of solvent solubility parameter on turbulent flow drag reduction in polyisobutylene solutions

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Abstract

Drag reduction is the effective reduction of the fluid flow friction brought about by the addition of small amounts of dissolved polymer, suspended particles, or emulsions. This study has focused on the turbulent-flow drag reduction effected by small amounts (10-6–10-3 g/ml) of polyisobutylene dissolved in organic solvents of varying solubility parameters. The data show that a maximum drag reduction (up to 70% for Reynolds numbers of 20,000) occurs in solvents with a solubility parameter near that of the polymer.

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Abbreviations

f :

dimensionless friction factor

D :

diameter of tube

ΔP :

pressure drop over length of tube

ρ :

density of the fluid

L :

length of tube

V :

velocity of fluid through the tube

µ :

viscosity of fluid

Re:

dimensionless Reynolds number (DVρ/μ)

δ :

polymer solubility parameter (CED)1/2

CED:

cohesive energy density

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Author notes

  1. B D. Shapella

    Present address: Air Products and Chemicals, 7201 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, PA 18195, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, USA

    J. R. Martin & B D. Shapella

Authors
  1. J. R. Martin
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  2. B D. Shapella
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Martin, J.R., Shapella, B.D. The effect of solvent solubility parameter on turbulent flow drag reduction in polyisobutylene solutions. Exp Fluids 34, 535–539 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-002-0564-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-002-0564-y

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