Drag reducing agent
Drag reducing agents are additives in pipelines that reduce turbulence in a pipe. Usually used in petroleum pipelines, they increase the pipeline capacity by reducing turbulence and therefore allowing the oil to flow more efficiently.
Description
Drag reducing agents have been present in society for over 20 years. These agents are made out of high molecular weight polymers. The polymers help with drag reduction by decreasing turbulence in the oil lines. This allows for oil to be pumped through at lower pressures, saving energy and money. Although these drag reducing agents are mostly used in oil lines, there is research being done to see how helpful polymers could be in reducing drag in veins and arteries.
How it works
Using just a few parts per million of the drag reducer helps to reduce the turbulence inside the pipe. Because the oil pushes up against the inside wall of the pipe, the pipe pushes the oil back down causing a swirling of turbulence to occur. When the polymer is added, it interacts with the oil and the wall to help reduce the contact of the oil with the wall.
Degradation can occur on the polymers during the flow. Because of the pressure and temperature on the polymers, it is easier to break them down. Because of this, the drag reducing agent is rejected after things like pumps and turns, where the pressure and temperature can be extra high.
Knowing what will create the ideal drag reducer is key in this process. Ideal molecules have a high molecular weight, shear degradation resistance, are quick to dissolve in whatever is in the pipe, and have low degradation in heat, light, chemicals, and biological areas.
With drag reduction, there are many factors which play a role in how well the drag is reduced. A main factor in this is temperature. With a higher temperature, the drag reducing agent is easier to degrade. At a low temperature the drag reducing agent will tend to cluster together. This problem can be solved easier than degradation though, by adding another chemical, such as aluminum to help lower the drag reducing agent's attraction to one another. Another factor is the pipe diameter. With a decreasing pipe diameter, the drag reduction is increased. Going along with this, the roughness of the inside of the pipe has a factor. The rougher the inside, the higher the percent drag reduction occurring. Increasing the pressure in a pipe will help with drag reduction as well, but often that pressure is greater than what the pipe can withstand.
Areas of use
Drag reducers can work in a couple of different fields. The most popular are crude oil, refined products and non-potable water. Currently there are several studies with ongoing tests in rats looking to see if drag reducers can help with blood flow.
History
Drag reducers were invented more than 30 years ago by Conoco Inc. (now Phillips 66). Its use has allowed pipeline systems to greatly increase in traditional capacity and extended the life of existing systems. The higher flow rates possible on long pipelines have also increased the potential for surge on older systems not previously designed for high velocities.
