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New mechanism and correlation for degradation of drag-reducing agents in turbulent flow with measured data from a double-gap rheometer

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Abstract

Flow drag reduction with polymer additives has been studied and applied for many years. But degradation of the drag-reducing agent (DRA) is still not well understood. In this study, a new theory for the mechanism of DRA degradation is proposed: the degradation of polymers in flow drag reduction process is a first-order chemical reaction based on the molecular weight. A modified Arrhenius equation can be used to predict the chemical reaction constant. This brings physicochemical meaning to the previously empirical degradation coefficient k in existing correlations. We then conduct a series of flow drag reduction experiments with PEO (polyethylene oxide) of three different molecular weights in a double-gap rheometer to investigate the degradation phenomena. A new correlation is developed to predict the lifespan of DRAs. Predictions with this correlation agree with measured data with an average relative error of 15%, better than previous correlations. The results indicate validity of the proposed new mechanism of DRA degradation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors also thank Dr. Anand Yethiraj and Mr. Swomitra Palit from the Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography: Dr. Anand Yethiraj for the use of the MCR 301 rheometer, and Mr. Swomitra Palit for his training and help in the experiments.

Funding

Financial support from Memorial University and NL Innovation Council (grant # 5404-1891-101) is gratefully appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada

    Xin Zhang, Xili Duan & Yuri Muzychka

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  1. Xin Zhang
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  2. Xili Duan
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Correspondence to Xili Duan.

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Zhang, X., Duan, X. & Muzychka, Y. New mechanism and correlation for degradation of drag-reducing agents in turbulent flow with measured data from a double-gap rheometer. Colloid Polym Sci 296, 829–834 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00396-018-4300-4

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