On the Use of Flow Between Parallel Disks to Investigate Drag-Reducing Efficiency of Polymeric Additives

In this study we will examine the applicability of flow induced by a rotating disk in evaluating the performance of polymeric and surfactant additives in reducing skin friction drag. It is shown that these additives can dramatically reduce friction drag provided that the flow is occurring under turbulent conditions while they have no effect on Taylor instabilities. Based on the experimental data, a drag reduction in the range of 10% can be achieved with the effect becoming more pronounced with an increase in the Reynolds numbers.