A mathematical model of turbulent drag reduction by high-molecular-weight polymeric additives in a shear flow

Abstract

Drag reduction, or, what is the same, mean velocity increase in a turbulent flow at a fixed pressure drop through the addition of tiny amounts (several parts per million) of high molecular weight polymers (Thoms effect), is known already for more than sixty years. Rather long ago it was understood that this effect is related to supramolecular structures formed in the flow. Recent experiments by S. Chu, E.S.G. Shaqfeh and their associates, where the motion of supramolecular structures was directly observed, made it possible to understand and quantify the dynamic interaction of the polymeric structures with the solvent (water) flow. These results lead to the construction of a mathematical model of the Thoms effect, based on the Kolmogorov(1942)-Prandtl(1945) semi-empirical theory of shear flow turbulence.