On the Use of Rotating-Disk Geometry for Evaluating the Drag-Reducing Efficiency of Polymeric and Surfactant Additives

Abstract

In this study we will examine the applicability of the flow induced by a rotating disk in evaluating the performance of polymeric and surfactant additives in reducing skin friction drag and effect of viscosity on drag reduction capability of polymeric and surfactant solutions. It is shown that these additives can dramatically reduce friction drag provided that the flow is occurring under turbulent conditions while they have no effect on Taylor instabilities. Based on the experimental data, a drag reduction in the range of 10% can be achieved with the effect becoming more pronounced the higher the Reynolds number.

Keywords

• Drag reduction
• Taylor instabilities
• Couette flow
• Rotating disk
• Polymeric and surfactant additives