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Drag Reduction by a Polymeric Aluminium Soap

Abstract

THE pressure drop per unit length of pipe during the turbulent flow of liquids is reduced by certain additives. Most such “drag-reducing” or “friction-reducing” agents are polymers of very high molecular weight1–3. In water, poly(ethylene oxide) at a concentration of ten parts per million can reduce the pressure for a given flow rate to a fifth of that required for water alone1,4. Suspensions may show drag reduction. Some soap or soap-complex solutions also show the phenomenon2,3.

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RODRIGUEZ, F. Drag Reduction by a Polymeric Aluminium Soap. Nature Physical Science 230, 152–153 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1038/physci230152a0

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