Flow drag and heat transfer reduction characteristics of organic brine (potassium acetate) and inorganic brine (calcium chloride) solutions with nonionic surfactant

Flow drag and heat transfer reduction effects are useful in heat energy transportation systems and can lead to lower pumping energy requirements. The purpose of this research is to describe the flow drag and heat transfer reduction characteristics of organic (potassium acetate) and inorganic (calcium chloride) brine solutions. The nonionic surfactant oleyl dihydroxyethyl amine oxide (ODEAO) is used as a drag-reducing additive. The pipe friction coefficient and heat transfer coefficient are investigated experimentally in a straight pipe for each type of solution with ODEAO. These coefficients are found to be lower than those of water in the turbulent flow range. However, the rod-like micelles of ODEAO, which are necessary to induce the flow drag reduction effect, are not readily formed in these solutions. Hence, the flow drag and heat transfer reduction effects are measured only under limited conditions and it is difficult to apply these solutions practically as heat transfer media.