Biomass-based polymers as effective drag-reducing agents in turbulent flow

Abstract

Biopolymers have been used as drag-reducing agents in the recent years. Drag reduction serves a very important role industrially since it enhances the flow rates and hence reduces power consumption. In this study various biopolymers have been used to reduce drag, such as papaya extract, buckwheat flour, and flaxseed, in an aqueous system, using pressure-driven method. The optimum set of parameters for maximum drag reduction were obtained such as the concentration of biopolymer used, pipe diameter, and marine water conditions, and the results were validated using well-known methodologies such as the Toms effect and well-known concepts like the Virk’s maximum drag reduction asymptot