Effect of drag reducing polymers on the rate of mass transfer controlled corrosion in pipelines under developing turbulent flow

The diffusion controlled corrosion of pipeline in the entrance region where the flow is developing was studied using the chemical dissolution of coppe r tubes in acidified FeCl3 solution. Variables studied were solution veloci ty and pipe length. In addition, the effect of polyox drag reducing polymer on the rate of corrosion under turbulent flow conditions was tested. Dimen sionless correlations were reached which can used to predict the rare of di ffusion controlled corrosion under developing flow conditions which prevail in industrial equipment such as tubular reactors and heat exchangers. Drag reducing polymers were found to decrease the rare of corrosion by an amoun t ranging from 5 to 27% depending on polymer concentration and Reynolds num ber. Industrial implications of the present results were highlighted. (C) 1 999 Elsevier Science Ltd.