Scientists replicated the rhythmic pumping action of the human heart to drive water through pipes in an energy-efficient way. Credit: Sciepro/Spl /Getty Images
Pumping water through a pipe in pulses ― much like the human heart pumps blood through arteries ― can reduce friction and energy consumption1.
Nearly 20% of global electric power is used to pump oil and gas through industrial and domestic pipes. To see if they could reduce friction and save energy, scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria pumped water through clear pipes of different lengths and diameters.
Common mechanical pumps create a steady stream of liquid with swirls and eddies. This turbulence creates friction between the liquid and walls of the pipe. To overcome this, the researchers mimicked the heart’s pulsating pump to propel water through the pipes. They added tiny reflective particles to the water that reflected light when exposed to a laser, illuminating the turbulence.
The team, which included a researcher at the National Institute of Science Education and Research in Bhubaneswar, found that introducing short resting phases between the pulses (accelerated flows) drastically decreased the amount of turbulence.
A cardiac-inspired pulsating motion decreased mean friction in the pipe walls by 27% and energy demand by 9%.
This technique is less expensive than modifying pipe walls or fitting them with specific devices. It could be used for industrial applications, the researchers say.
