Chapter 13: Turbulent Drag-reduction Applications of Surfactant Solutions Check Access

Surfactant solutions can reduce turbulent pressure loss and decrease pumping energy requirements in turbulent flow. This phenomenon is known as drag reduction. Surfactant drag reduction is applied in single-building and district heating and cooling systems, where pumping energy costs have been reduced by 50% or more, as well as in a number of oilfield applications, including hydraulic fracturing, gravel packing, matrix acidizing, well bore cleanout, and drilling. Other potential applications of surfactant drag-reducing solutions, such as corrosion reduction, jet-cutting, firefighting, storm sewer drainage, and transport of solid suspensions have been studied but have not yet been widely applied.