Tube flow of non‐Newtonian polymer solutions: Part II. Turbulent flow

Abstract

Abstract A correlation of turbulent tube‐flow friction factors for non‐Newtonian polymer solutions, based upon the fluid property τ1/2 defined in Part I, has been found to represent data taken on seven solutions of Natrosol hydroxyethylcellulose in ½‐ and 1‐in, I.D. smooth tubes, with an average accuracy of 10.8%. Also, for these seven solutions, this correlation gives somewhat more accurate predictions of the point of transition into turbulent flow than are made by the Ryan‐Johnson stability theory. The correlation must be considered only provisional, however, because it does not simplify to the limiting case of extremely dilute solutions. Plausible extensions based on models of steady‐flow non‐Newtonian viscosity behavior, and other possible correlation schemes utilizing viscoelastic fluid properties, are briefly discussed.