Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Effect of drag reducing polymers on oil-water flow in a horizontal pipe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

103 Scopus citations

Abstract

Measurements of drag-reduction are presented for oil-water flowing in a horizontal 0.0254 m pipe. Different oil-water configurations were observed. The injection of water soluble polymer solution (PDRA) in some cases produced drag reduction of about 65% with concentration of only 10-15 ppm. The results showed a significant reduction in pressure gradient due to PDRA especially at high mixture velocity which was accompanied by a clear change in the flow pattern. Phase inversion point in dispersed flow regime occurred at a water fraction range of (0.33-0.35) indicated by its pressure drop peak which was disappeared by injecting only 5 ppm (weight basis) of PDRA. Effect of PDRA concentration and molecular weight on flow patterns and pressure drops are presented in this study. Influence of salt content in the water phase on the performance of PDRA is also examined in this paper.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)516-524
Number of pages9
JournalInternational Journal of Multiphase Flow
Volume35
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2009

Keywords

  • Drag reducing polymers
  • Oil-water horizontal flow
  • Phase inversion
  • Salt effect

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of drag reducing polymers on oil-water flow in a horizontal pipe'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this