ABSTRACT
Turbulent flow degradation of polymers has been studied by a number of investigators. The extent of polymer degradation increased with increasing number of passes in the flow system, with the molecules which are most effective in reducing friction degrading first. Drag reduction occurs in turbulent flow and is of major benefit to many industrial processes and operations, which include long-distance transportation of liquids, oil well operations, sewage and floodwater disposal, fire fighting, transport of suspensions and slurries, irrigation, water heating and cooling circuits, jet cutting, and marine and biomedical systems. In turbulent flow, the polymer degraded more in a poor solvent at low Reynolds numbers, whereas an opposite effect was observed at high Re. High extensional viscosity would increase the pathlength over which the acceleration occurs and reduce the maximum strain rates encountered by the macromolecules in the flow field.
