Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
(OP)
Hi all,
Addition of polymers. It has been known for more than 50 years that addition of a small amount of polymers to a turbulent flow results in a significant reduction of pressure drop (or increase of flow rate for a given pressure drop).
By reducing the frictional pressure loss, pipeline boosters can increase throughput by more than 90% of the pipeline’s mechanical capacity... says a supplier.
Is this really true? Has anybody has experience with addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop? How much did it help?
Thanks!
Addition of polymers. It has been known for more than 50 years that addition of a small amount of polymers to a turbulent flow results in a significant reduction of pressure drop (or increase of flow rate for a given pressure drop).
By reducing the frictional pressure loss, pipeline boosters can increase throughput by more than 90% of the pipeline’s mechanical capacity... says a supplier.
Is this really true? Has anybody has experience with addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop? How much did it help?
Thanks!





RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
OK! I am going to dive in here. (Fifty Years)
"Addition of polymers. It has been known for more than 50 years that addition of a small amount of polymers to a turbulent flow results in a significant reduction of pressure drop (or increase of flow rate for a given pressure drop)."
Really!!! What are these polymers and to what fluids are they effective.
I would really like to know of a polymer that will reduce the pressure drop I have had to overcome.
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
A 90% reduction in friction is close to max (and would be very expensive).
I would say that normally a 50-70% reduction would in many circumstances be economical (compared to investing in a new pipeline).
A well know supplier is Baker Huges / petrolite. Check this webpage out:
http://www.bakerhughes.com/bakerpetrolite/gasfluids/index.htm
Best regardd
Morten
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
They seem to reduce the amount of turbulence.
Anybody else has good / bad experiences?
Thanks,
MVD
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
You should however be carefull with your pressure surge calculations! This problem is not solved by DRA (Drag Reducing Agent)
Best regards
Morten
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
So this stuff really works!
Please forgive my ignorance, but what are pressure surge calculations?
Same as pressure drop calculations?
MVD
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
A bit of advice: You seem unawave of how to perform flow studies. I would recommend that you get help before recommending anything. There are many consultants out there that can help if your company does not have the knowledge.
Best regards
Morten
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
The reason I do not believe that the turbulence is reduced is because a high turbulence gives a low loss as can be seen on a moody diagram where the friction factor is reduced as the Re increases.
But, if the DRA works in any other way, please let me know.
/C
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
RE: Addition of polymers to reduce pressure drop
Drag reducers -- also known as Drag Reducing Agents, DRAs and Flow Improvers -- are any material that reduces frictional pressure during fluid flow in a conduit or pipeline. Using DRAs allows increased flow using the same amount of energy or decreased pressure drop for the same flow rate of fluid in pipelines. The current class of DRAs, such as CSPI’s range of LiquidPower™ Flow Improver products which are marketed in the pipeline industry today, consists of long-chain hydrocarbon polymers that act as buffers along the pipe wall to decrease the amount of energy lost in turbulent formation.
By the way, many thanks for all your input !
see further: http://www.liquidpower.com/ProductSolution/WhatAreDRAs.asp