Analysis of Algal Polysaccharides as Drag

Reducing Agents

Yang He
Chemical Engineering Department

Overview

Drag force and drag reducing agents(DRA)

Algal polysaccharides and industrial gums (galactomannans)

Results

Drag Reducing Agents(DRA): Long chain polymer chemicals that when injected
into a pipeline where the fluid is turbulent modifies the flow regime by reducing
the frictional pressure drop along the pipeline length

What DRA do?

Can either provide an increase in flow resulting in a much higher throughput or maintain the
same flow rate but with a substantial decrease in energy to save energy cost

Do not coat the pipeline wall, modify the fluid viscosity or have any chemical reaction with
the oil

Inhibiting turbulent bursts near the pipe wall, increase laminar sub layer

Drag formation and reduction

Drag reducing agents used in this study

Red microalgae Porphyridium sp.

Galactomannan series
galactose

mannose

Red microalgae Porphyridium sp. polysaccharides procedure

Grow under Red microalgae will be harvest

light source
and polysaccharides will be
for weeks in
formed in the media.
a shaker
Dialysis with
Wash the media
distilled
out
water for 24
hrs
Precipitate the
polysaccharides
out
Use 3 volumes
of ethanol

 in D, 8 ft L
Pipe

40 L
Tank

hp
Pump

Drag in a pipe system calculation

Darcy-Weisbach equation

Re =

Dv

p
hL =
g

D 2g

P1,2 - pressure measured at points 1 and 2

f = hL 2
hL - head loss
Lv
g - acceleration due to gravity
- density of the fluid
Generally definition of percentage drag reduction
f - friction factor
D - pipe diameter
L - pipe length
w- with additive
w/o- without additive
v - fluid velocity

galactose
mannose

Drag reduction for galactomannans

30%

Locust Bean Gum

Locust Bean Gum

25%

% DR

20%

15%

10%

1:4
5%

0%
0

50

100

Concentration (ppm)

*used by permission of Dr. Azadeh M. Pourmir

150

200

galactose
mannose

Drag reduction for galactomannans

30%
Locust Bean Gum
25%
Tara Gum

% DR

20%

15%

1:3

10%

1:4
5%

0%
0

50

100

Concentration (ppm)

*used by permission of Dr. Azadeh M. Pourmir

150

200

galactose
mannose

Drag reduction for galactomannans

30%
Guar Gum
Locust Bean Gum

25%

1:2
Tara Gum

% DR

20%

15%

1:3

10%

1:4
5%

0%
0

50

100

Concentration (ppm)

*used by permission of Dr. Azadeh M. Pourmir

150

200

galactose
mannose

Drag reduction for galactomannans

30%

1:1

Guar Gum
Locust Bean Gum
25%

1:2

Tara Gum
Fenugreek Gum

% DR

20%

15%

1:3

10%

1:4
5%

0%
0

50

100

Concentration (ppm)

*used by permission of Dr. Azadeh M. Pourmir

150

200

Drag reduction effectiveness with time

30.00%

1:1 ratio
25.00%

1:2 ratio
20.00%

% DR

1:3 ratio
15.00%
Tara
Guar
Locust bean
10.00%

Fenugreek

1:4 ratio
5.00%

0.00%
0

50

100

150

200

Time (min)

250

300

350

Effect of Polysaccharide Concentration for Red microalgae Porphyridium sp.

Red Algae

30%

25%

% DR

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%
0

20

40

60

Concentration (ppm)

80

100

Comparison of Drag Reduction Effectiveness

30

25

%DR

20

15

10

0
Locust Bean

Tara

Guar

Fenugreek

Porphyridium sp.

Conclusion

Drag Reduction with [polysaccharides] up to 26% at 200 ppm

Drag Reduction ratio of galactose to mannose

Red microalgae Prophyridium sp. has the potential to be used as a DRA

Drag reduction ability up to 25% at 100 ppm

30
25

%DR

20
15
10
5
0
Locust Bean

Tara

Guar

Fenugreek Porphyridium
sp.

30.00%
Tara

% DR

Thanks!

25.00%

Guar

20.00%

Locust bean
Fenugreek

15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
0

100

200

Time (min)

300

400