Toms effect

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In fluid dynamics, the Toms effect is a reduction of the drag of a turbulent flow through a pipeline when polymer solutions are added. [1]

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In 1948, B. A. Toms discovered [2] by experiments that the addition of a small amount of polymer into a Newtonian solvent (parts per million by weight), which results in a non-Newtonian fluid solution, can reduce the skin frictional drag on a stationary surface by up to 80% when turbulence is present. [1]

This technology has been successfully implemented to reduce pumping cost for oil pipelines, to increase the flow rate in fire fighting equipment and to help irrigation and drainage. [3] [4] It also has potential applications in the design of ship and submarine hulls to achieve an increased speed and reduced energy cost.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Graebel, William (2001). Engineering Fluid Mechanics. New York ; London: CRC Press. ISBN   978-1-56032-733-2.
  2. ↑ Toms, B.A. (September 1948). Some Observations on the Flow of Linear Polymer Solutions Through Straight Tubes at Large Reynolds Numbers. First International Congress on Rheology. Vol. 2. pp. 135–141.
  3. ↑ Sellin, R. H. J.; Ollis, M. (1980). "Polymer Drag Reduction in Large Pipes and Sewers: Results of Recent Field Trials". Journal of Rheology . 24 (5): 667–684. Bibcode:1980JRheo..24..667S. doi:10.1122/1.549598. ISSN   0148-6055.
  4. ↑ Khalil, M. F.; Kassab, S. Z.; Elmiligui, A. A.; Naoum, F. A. (2002). "Applications of Drag-Reducing Polymers in Sprinkler Irrigation Systems: Sprinkler Head Performance". Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering . 128 (3): 147–152. Bibcode:2002JIDE..128..147K. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9437(2002)128:3(147). ISSN   0733-9437.
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