Abstract
Laser Doppler anemometry is employed to measure the mean velocity and turbulence intensity in the early turbulence regime of the flow of a dilute polymer solution through a small-diameter tube. (This regime is initiated at an onset Reynolds number in the subcritical range, above which the polymer additive increases drag, and continues through the transitional Reynolds number range, where a continuous transition to turbulent flow with reduced drag is observed.) When the onset flow rate for early turbulence is exceeded, the mean velocity profile becomes progressively flatter with increasing flow rate. That is, a gradual transition from a laminar profile at onset to a more "turbulent-like" profile takes place. Turbulence intensities at the tube centerline are about one half those of a fully developed turbulent flow. The inference is drawn from these results that the onset of early turbulence corresponds to the flow becoming hydrodynamically unstable due to viscoelastic effects introduced by the polymer additive and that the character of the flow is intermediate between laminar and fully developed turbulent flow. Copyright © 1977 American Institute of Physics.
Recommended Citation
J. L. Zakin et al., "Laser Doppler Velocimetry Studies Of Early Turbulence," Physics of Fluids, vol. 20, no. 10, American Institute of Physics, Jan 1977.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.861763
Department(s)
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
1070-6631
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2023 American Institute of Physics, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jan 1977
