Enhanced drag reduction via Interpolymer Associations

Hydrocarbon soluble polymers containing small percentages of polar associating groups are used to determine the effects of polymer associations on solution drag reduction. Experimental data suggest that intrapolymer associations generally decrease the dilute solution drag reduction activities of single associating polymers with like polar groups. Interpolymer complexes formed by, for example, one polymer with anionic groups and one polymer with cationic groups can overcome this limitation and provide enhanced dilute solution drag reduction activity as a result of favorable interpolymer associations which build larger structures of higher apparent molecular weight. The latter associations may also increase the polymers' resistance to degradation in turbulent flows.