Drag Reduction in Hydraulic Transport of Solids

Abstract

It is demonstrated that small amounts of complex soap, cetyl trimethyl-ammonium bromide (CTAB-1-Naphthol), can reduce the pressure drop and the critical velocities in the transport of solid suspensions in pipes. The properties of the soap solution and their dependence on CTAB-1-Naphthol ratio, concentration, temperature and storage duration were also investigated. The minimum energy required to pump a slurry of 20% (in volume) quartz sand in a 0.18% soap solution was found to be 30% of that in pure water. Polymer solutions were not found to be as effective in reducing the pressure drops.