Diffusion of macromolecular solutions in the turbulent boundary layer of a cylindrical pipe

A model is presented describing the changes that occur in the diffusion boundary layer upon injection of a macromolecular solution (PEO) into a cylindrical pipe under turbulent flow conditions (Re 40,000). A shape parameter was introduced to describe the shape of the turbulent plume. The value of this parameter was found to be the same for water and various dilute PEO solutions. The proposed model gives a good approximation at low homogeneous concentrations. x downstream distance from the slot - y normal distance from the wall - R radius of the pipe - C concentration - C _w wall concentration - Q _i flow rate injection - Q _t flow rate - C _j =C _i *Q _i /Q _t equivalent homogeneous polymer concentration - L _tf characteristic length of the diffusion plume - characteristic height of the diffusion plume, i.e. the value ofy at whichC/C _w = 0.5 - thickness of the diffusion boundary layer - x ₀ characteristic distance from the slot, i.e. the value ofx at which/R = 1/2 - ⁺ shape parameter of the diffusion boundary layer - ⁺ —/R nondimensionalized variables - x ⁺ —x/L _tf nondimensionalized variables