Toms effect
In fluid dynamics, the Toms effect is a reduction of the drag of a turbulent flow through a pipeline when polymer solutions are added.[1]
In 1948, B. A. Toms discovered[2] by experiments that the addition of a small amount of polymer into a Newtonian solvent (parts per million by weight), which results in a non-Newtonian fluid solution, can reduce the skin frictional drag on a stationary surface by up to 80% when turbulence is present.[1]
This technology has been successfully implemented to reduce pumping cost for oil pipelines, to increase the flow rate in fire fighting equipment and to help irrigation and drainage.[3][4] It also has potential applications in the design of ship and submarine hulls to achieve an increased speed and reduced energy cost.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Graebel, William (2001). Engineering Fluid Mechanics. New York ; London: CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-56032-733-2.
- ^ Toms, B.A. (September 1948). Some Observations on the Flow of Linear Polymer Solutions Through Straight Tubes at Large Reynolds Numbers. First International Congress on Rheology. Vol. 2. pp. 135–141.
- ^ Sellin, R. H. J.; Ollis, M. (1980). "Polymer Drag Reduction in Large Pipes and Sewers: Results of Recent Field Trials". Journal of Rheology. 24 (5): 667–684. Bibcode:1980JRheo..24..667S. doi:10.1122/1.549598. ISSN 0148-6055.
- ^ Khalil, M. F.; Kassab, S. Z.; Elmiligui, A. A.; Naoum, F. A. (2002). "Applications of Drag-Reducing Polymers in Sprinkler Irrigation Systems: Sprinkler Head Performance". Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 128 (3): 147–152. Bibcode:2002JIDE..128..147K. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(2002)128:3(147). ISSN 0733-9437.
External links
[edit]- Alyeska Pipe Line
- Stefano, Musacchio (2004). Effects of friction and polymers on 2D turbulence (PhD thesis). University of Turin. hdl:20.500.14242/227335.