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Structure of turbulent boundary layers at maximum drag reduction

Nature volume 256, pages 30–31 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

WE describe here the results of a preliminary study on boundary layers carried out with an aqueous equimolar solution of cetyltrimethylamimonium bromide (CTAB) and 1-naphthol at a total concentration of 508 parts per million (p.p.m.). Dilute, high polymer solutions in pipe flow can produce a drag reduction which is bounded by a limiting asymptote curve1, and micellar solutions of CTAB–1-naphthol exhibit drag reduction described by the same asymptote2,3. Measurements of the velocity profiles of the micellar solution across a pipe diameter show fairly good agreement with the ultimate profile deduced4 from pipe friction results. This particular drag reducing solution is suitable for experiments in closed loop systems because of its resistance to permanent mechanical degradation.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Middlesex Polytechnic, Engineering, Science and Mathematics, The Burroughs, Hendon, London, NW4 4BT, UK

    P. S. FREDERICK & A. WHITE

Authors
  1. P. S. FREDERICK
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  2. A. WHITE
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FREDERICK, P., WHITE, A. Structure of turbulent boundary layers at maximum drag reduction. Nature 256, 30–31 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/256030a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/256030a0

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