Effect of Temperature Variation on the Effectiveness of Partially Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide in Drag Reduction
Authors: Magit KD, Edomwonyi-Otu LC, Yusuf N, Abubakar A
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
The addition of certain heavy molecular weight polymers to flowing fluids has been known to reduce drag thereby increasing the efficiency of the system. Temperature is one of the factors that can affect the extent of drag reduction. This study is focused on the effect of temperature on the effectiveness of partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) as drag reducing agent. The flow facility is made from unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) pipe of 20 mm internal diameter (ID). Temperature range of 5 oC to 60 oC, polymer concentration of 5 ppm to 50 ppm and Reynolds numbers less than 100000 were studied using oil [diesel] (density = 832 kg/m3, viscosity = 1.664 mPa.s at 25 oC) and water (density = 1000 kg/m3, viscosity = 0.91 mPa.s at 25 oC) as test fluids. Pressure drop was measured using a U-tube manometer. The results showed that in single phase (water) flow, a maximum drag reduction of 70% was achieved in horizontal flow at room temperature. Drag reduction decreased from 75% to 62% when temperature was raised from 5 oC to 60 oC. In multiphase flow, a maximum drag reduction of 58.33% (25% oil input, Umix=1.68 m/s, room temperature) was observed. Similarly, as temperature increased from 5 oC to 60 oC, drag reduction decreased from 64.58% to 50%. In all cases studied, drag reduction reduced with increase in temperature for partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide.
Affiliations: Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.
Keywords: Drag Reduction, Turbulence, Temperature, Efficiency, Temperature
Published date: 2019/12/30
