International Review of Mechanical Engineering (I.RE.M.E.), Vol. 9, N.

1
ISSN 1970 - 8734
January 2015

Drag Reduction and Velocity Profiles Distribution

of Crude Oil Flow in Spiral Pipes
Yanuar1, Kurniawan T. Waskito2, Gunawan1, Budiarso1
Abstract One of the main problems that occur in the fluid flow in the pipeline industry is a high
consumption on pump power due to high frictional pressure drop in turbulent flow. So many
applications that related to fluids transportation in oil and gas industry such as crude oil, oil and
gas refinery product, moreover in drilling fluid that contains mud slurry. Therefore it is required
to use DRA (Drag Reducing Agent) as method to improve pumping efficiency. Another problem in
fluid flow such as crude oil and drilling fluid is the weight concentration of suspension particles,
when the speed of flow is not sufficient enough can end with sedimentation in bottom side of pipe
so that increased drag. Drag Reducing Agent (DRA) is used as a solution towards reduce the
power losses in the piping system. One of the most popular DRA is biopolymer due to its
environment friendly and inexpensive. The aims of this study is to investigate the reduction of
pressure drop using consentration of additive CMC 250 ppm, 500 ppm and 750 ppm into crude
oil flow in the straight spiral pipe with diameter ratio P/Di=3,5;5,4; and 7,6, and circular pipe
with diameter Di=17 mm. The effectiveness of DRA is analyzed by measuring the profile of
velocity distributionsusing pitot tube. The results showed that the maximum DR percentage of 750
ppm for circular pipe is 35,8%, for spiral pipes with ratio P/Di 3,5=20,3%, P/Di 5,4=25,6%, P/Di
7,6=32,5%. Increasing of DR is presented by the data of velocity distribution profiles that
increased by increasing CMC concentration.The important of this research is the application of
spiral pipe offers the best solution for the flow of crude oil containing a heavy concentration of
particles in suspension. Certain ratios of spiral pipe and additives CMC can be obtained without
sedimentation of crude oil flow and flow with lower drag. Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize
S.r.l. - All rights reserved

Keywords: Drag Reduction, CMC, Velocity Distribution Profile, Circular Pipe, Spiral Pipe

I.

thickening, and to varying degrees each of these

characteristics is thought to influence the level of drag
reduction [2].
The effect of just a few parts-per-million by weight of
the polymer concentrations on laminarturbulenttransition, boundary-layer properties and turbulent pipe
flow and a long flat plates have know. The large drag
reduction produced by these viscoelastic polymer
solutions are being considered for practical application in
many fields of engineering [3].
Cellulose is the most abundant of all the natural
polymers. Cellulose is water insoluble due to its strong
intermolecular hydrogen bonding, but its glucose
backbone can be derivatized to obtain water solubility.
Three cellulose derivatives are used in oil-field
applications,
carboxymethyl
cellulose
(CMC),
hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and carboxymethyl
hydroxyethyl cellulose (CMHEC).
The primary advantage of all cellulose derivatives is
that they are residue free upon degradation [4]. The
Hagen-Poiseuille, Darcy-Weisbach, and Colebrook
equations andthe Moody chart provide adequate
solutions for flow in circularpipes, even if the flow is
turbulent, no purely analytical solutions exist.

Introduction

The application of polymer drag reduction has been

widely spread since the success of its application on the
Trans Alaska Pipelines (TAPS) in 1979. Due to some
advantages of the polymer properties, so, the tendency of
polymer utilization as DRA is increasing in various
industries, especially in oil and gas industry ([1]-[12]).
One of the main problems that occur in fluid flow in
the piping industry isthe highconsumption on pumping
power due to high frictional pressure drop in turbulent
flow. Drag-reducing agents (DRA) regards as a solutions
to reduce the power losses in the piping system.
One of the most popular DRA is biopolymers due to
environment friendly and cheap. Pressure losses of guar
gum solutions in circular and spiral pipewith various
concentration(ppm) were measured in aregion
fromlaminar to turbulent flow. The drag-reduction effect
of the guargum additive was verified. The effect occurred
only above somecritical Reynolds number which was
affected by the concentrationof the guar gum solutions
[1].
Drag-reducing polymers solutions are usually shear
thinning, viscoelastic and either strain thinning or strain

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

Unfortunately, not all internal flows occur in circular

pipes. In air and gas-handling systems such as home
heating systems and power plants, air and flue gas ducts
commonly employ rectangular ducts. A double-pipe heat
exchanger has flow in aconcentric annulus, and some of
compact plate-fin heatexchangers in rectangular passages
[1].
In oil and gas industry there are many application that
related to fluids transportation such as crude oil, oil and
gas refinery product, moreover in drilling fluid that
contains mud slurry there will be much important need of
using DRA as pumping power efficiency method.
Another main problem in fluid flowing like crude oil and
drilling fluid is usually contains weight concentration of
suspension particles, the problem occured when the
speed of flow is not sufficiently high that caused
sedimentation in bottom side of pipe so that increased
drag.
Mud slurry is a mixture of solids and liquids in
which the nature of the flow depends on several factors
such as particle size and distribution, solid concentration
in the liquid, the size of the channel, turbulence level,
temperature, and viscosity.Concentration of mud slurry,
characteristically, has a very high density [5]. Problem
solution in suspension fluid flow that occured
sedimentation can be used spiral pipe. In spiral pipe
twisted with a constant pitch inrelation to the axis a
swirling flow occurs when fluids flow in the pipe.
According to Watanabe K et al [5]. The drag reduction
for slurry flowing in spiral pipe maybe will be occured
from the ratio of pitch and diameter suitable with
properties of slurry [6]. For practical application the
spiral pipe presents a very useful method for preventing
the holdup phenomenon in a transport pipeline for the
hydraulic transport of mud slurry [7].
The aims of this study is to investigate the
characteristic of drag reduction with additives
Carboxymetylcellulose (CMC) solution in crude oil flow
by analyzing the velocity profiles distribution
measurement using pitot tube in straight spiral pipe with
difference ratio of P/Di and compared with a circular
pipe with certain diameter, in order to obtain the spiral
pipe ratio with the highest drag reduction for the purpose
of reduction of pumping power requirement.
Pressure drop measured by pressure transducer
andvelocity profile distributions measured by pitot tube.
Drag reduction is significantly affected by some
parameters such as type of pipe, P/Di for spiral pipe,
viscosity of the fluid, and type of additives solution. This
phenomenon of drag reduction could be further explained
using velocity profile distribution measurements that
shows effect of swirling flow and CMC additives in
circular and spiral pipes [8].
The important aspect from this study is the application
of spiral pipe offers the best solution for crude oil flow
that contains weight concentration in suspension. With
particular ratio of spiral pipe and CMC additives could
be obtained crude oil flow without sedimentation and
lower drag.

II.

Experimental Setup and Methods

This investigation uses three types of spiral pipe with

the inner diameter variation (Di), hydraulic diameter
(Dh) for spiral pipes, outer diameter (Do), pipe wall
thickness (d), length distance screw (P), the ratio of
pitch to inner diameter (P/Di). Spiral pipes with pitch
diameter ratio (P/Di) = 3.5; 5.4; and 7.6. then,
comparised with the circular pipe with inner diameter Di
= 17 mm to determine the percentage of drag reduction
that occurs, as shown in Table I. Experimental setup is
shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1. Experimental set-up

Crude oil is circulated by a diaphragm pump to ensure

oil does not come in direct contact with the impeller
causing faster degradation of solution.
A compressor is used to maintain the stability of flow
inthe pipe. Flow in a closed circuit and is collected in a
tank. The decrease in pressure gradient measured at 1500
mm length between each pressure transducer.
Measurement of pressure using a mercury manometer.
The length of the entry is set to 2500 mm to ensure
that the flow in the fully developed condition. CMC
solution with a concentration of 250, 500, and 750 ppm
in the flow. The temperature is maintained at room
temperature 27 C. The test was conducted less than an
hour to avoid the effects of degradation of the polymer
solution and replace it with a new one. Tests carried out
on the low Reynolds number to a higher Reynolds
number and the flow rate is set by the gate valve.
Measurement of the velocity profile distribution in
circular and spiral pipes used pitot tube. The velocity
distribution measurements using a pitot tube, which can
raise each fall within 1 mm of vertical direction. For a
circular pipe, the pitot tube measurements performed
with a profile position due to the circular pipe is
relatively homogeneous.

Pipes
Circular
Spiral 1
Spiral 2
Spiral 3

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

TABLE I
DIMENSIONS OF PIPE TEST
Di/Dh
Do
d (mm)
P(Pitch)
(mm)
(mm)
17
19
2

18.5
22.5
4
140,6
19.3
23.3
4
104,22
20.2
24.2
4.2
70,7

P/Di

7.6
5.4
3.5

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

While the spiral straight pipe made with three ways to

retrieve data flow velocity profile that is on the top
position 1 = 00, the left side position 2 = 120, and the
right side position 3 = 240, measurements were taken at
the Reynolds = 12500.
To determine the distribution of mean axial velocity in
spiral pipes at any point using the pitot tube position
where the difference between static and dynamic
pressure obtained by measuring the difference in height
that can be read on the manometer scale mounted on the
static and dynamic hole pitot tube.

shear stressand flow rate of the fluid, power-law index

(n) can be determined by the following equation:

DP
4L
n
8V
d ln
D
d ln

(4)

By obtaining shear stress, velocity profile and power

law index (n) then coefficient of K can be determined by
Eq. (1). After getting K, then Generalisasi Reynolds
number can be determined by the following equation:

Re'

8n n D nV 2 n
n

2n 3n 1 K

(5)

friction coefficient ( f ) can be determined if shear stress,

velocity, and fluids density value have been known, and
then using fanning equation as follow:

f
Fig. 2. Spiral pipe view and pitot
tube measurement location
of mean axial velocity profiles
(front view)

Fig. 3. Spiral pipe view and pitot

tube measurement location
of mean axial velocity profiles
(side view)

(6)

2 L V 2

Drag reduction percentage can be calculated with the

following formula:

III. Rheology Model

DR%

Characteristic of fluid flow in pipes is plotted in the

Moody chart. Friction coefficient equation for laminar
flow is expressed as a Hagen-Pouiseuille straight curve,
and Blasius curve for turbulent flow and surface
roughness ratio of the pipe. Relationship changes the
value of viscosity on non- Newtonian fluid is due to
shear strain, Reynolds will be replaced by the
Generalized Reynolds Number Re'. Where the apparent
viscosity is associated with an absolute value of shear
stress, w. Equation of Power Law Model:

IV.

| Pf Pfdrag |
Pf

100

(7)

Results and Discussion

The flow properties of crude oil used in this study is

included in Newtonian fluid so that the relationship
between shear rate and shear stress is linear.
While the addition of CMC concentration into flow
leads to changes in the flow properties become
pseudoplastis or shear thinning, so that the relation shear
rate and shear stress are exponentially with the rank n <1
as shown in Fig. 4.

u
n
K K
y

DP

(1)

where K and n are constant for the particular fluid the

higher value of K, the more viscous the fluid. for n=1 that
is for Newtonian behavior K= corresponds to the
Newtonian viscosity n<1 for pseudoplastics model and
n>1 for dilatant model. is shear stress, u / y is
shear rate:
DP

(2)
4L

8V
D

(3)

where D is the pipe diameter, P is pressure drop, L is

the length of pipe, V is the flow velocity. By obtaining

Fig. 4. Flow properties of crude oil and CMC additives with

concentration of 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 750 ppm in circular pipe

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

Fig. 5 shows the characteristics of shear rate to

apparent viscosity, crude oil is still a Newtonian fluid,
while the addition of CMC concentration on the initial
conditions have a high instantaneous viscosity which is
proportional to the concentration of the solution.
Then, the solution properties of degraded due to the
viscosity shear rate decreases.Then, the solution was
degraded due to increasing of shear rate that caused
decreasing of its viscosity.
Characteristics of polymer drag reduction in circular
pipe is influenced by many factors, including the type
and concentration of polymer in the flow, the Reynolds
number, shape and diameter of the pipe. In addition, the
model flow that occurs in the form of pipes of different
cross sections as well as in the spiral pipe providing
swirling flow characteristics can affect the flow
properties of both the pressure drop, the velocity
distribution profile, and also the level of drag reduction
that occurs with the addition of the polymer
concentration.
Therefore, to analyze the characteristics and level of
drag reduction that can be achieved with the addition of
CMC polymer concentration in crude oil flow, made a
comparison between the properties of drag reduction for
each ratio of spiral pipe to circular pipe. Circular pipe
diameter is corresponded with hydraulic diameter spiral
pipe on average for each ratio, so it can be used as a
comparison.
In Fig. 6 shows that the concentration of CMC began
to work effectively on the Reynolds number more than
1104. This occurs because the polymer works as a drag
reducing in turbulent flow regime. Increasing the value
of Reynolds cause sharply friction reduction, so that the
higher the percentage of drag reduction. As in Fig. 7, the
maximum drag reduction for a concentration of 750 ppm
CMC by 35.8%.
Fig. 8 shows the concentration of CMC and an
increase in the value of the Reynolds gives the
percentage of drag reduction is higher, from the graph
shown the highest drag reduction occurs at Reynolds
value of approximately 5104.

Fig. 6. Characteristics of friction factor to Generalized Reynolds

number of CMC solution with increasing concentration in circular pipe

Fig. 7 Characteristics drag reduction percentage to Generalized

Reynolds numberof CMC solution

Fig. 8. Relationship of concentration to drag reduction percentage

at certain level of Reynolds number in circular pipe

Fig. 9 shows the characteristic shear rate and apparent

viscosity of CMC solution concentration in the spiral
pipe. The lower the ratio P/Di the higher viscosity, for
the same concentration of CMC solution and can be said
to be the faster the degradation due to the nature of the
flow in a pipe with a small ratio of an increasingly
turbulent.

Fig. 5. Apparent viscosity properties of CMC solution with

concentration 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 750 ppm in circular pipe

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

reduction is as DRA which serves to dampen the level of

eddy/turbulent flow, which effectively work on the
buffer layer by preventing particles penetrate streak
buffer layer of viscous sublayer is going towards the
turbulent core.

Fig. 9. Apparent viscosity properties of CMC solution

in spiral pipe

Spiral pipe has a characteristic that swirling flow and

eddy is higher than conventional circular pipe. Therefore,
the nature of which is utilized especially to prevent the
deposition of mud particles contained in the flow of
crude oil in the long term. However, the consequences of
the use of this spiral pipe, the friction factor is high
causing high pressure drop. The smaller the ratio P/Di
spiral pipe will lead to higher levels of flow turbulence
and friction is higher, on the contrary, if the greater the
ratio of P/Di will reduce flow turbulence, and tends to
lead to flow back toward the circular pipe flow properties
and this will eliminate function of the spiral pipe.
Therefore, optimization is needed between the ratio of
P/Di the content of particles present in the fluid to be
drained in the pipeline. Optimization is performed
considering the effectiveness of the turbulence level ratio
spiral pipe with the magnitude of the pressure drop
occurs. In this study the fluid nature of crude oil is still
Newtonian fluid, and the content of particles there is not
too dominant in the flow.
The addition of CMC is able to reduce the high
pressure drop in spiral pipe. The results are shown in
Figures 10, 11, and 12 show the comparison of the
friction factor with different ratios. In Fig. 13, the ratio of
spiral pipe 3.5 gives a maximum reduction of 20.3%, a
ratio of 5.4 gives a maximum reduction of 25.6% and a
ratio of 7.6 gave the highest reduction of 32.5%. Fig. 14
gives the relationship between the concentration and the
value of Reynolds to the drag reduction in pipe spiral.
As in the circular pipe drag reduction is achieved at
the highest Re value of about 5104.
From the results of drag reduction that can be
achieved between each spiral pipe ratio can be compared
to the results with a reduction in the circular pipe. The
highest reduction of drag is a spiral pipe P/Di 7.6 of
32.5%, while the circular pipe of 35.8%. These results
are consistent with previous studies.
Drag reduction in spiral pipe is not as high as in
thecircular pipe, indicates that the drag-reducing polymer
effectiveness is reduced when used in spiral pipe,
because according to the theory of polymer drag

Fig. 10. Characteristics of friction factor to Generalized Reynolds

number of CMC solution with increasing concentration in spiral pipe
with P/Di = 3.5

Fig. 11. Characteristics of friction factor to Generalized Reynolds

number of CMC solution with increasing concentration in spiral pipe
with P/Di = 5.4

Fig. 12. Characteristics of friction factor to Generalized Reynolds

number of CMC solution with increasing concentration in spiral pipe
with P/Di = 7.6

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

Circular pipe flow profile measurements performed on

the flow of crude oil, the addition of solution
concentration of 250 ppm, 500 ppm, and 750 ppm in the
flow. Pitot tube measuring nine-point position on the
cross-sectional flow. the results are shown in Figs. 15
with the appearance of the side and front. In circular pipe
with the addition of a concentration of 250 ppm, 500
ppm and 750 ppm obtained additional flow rate of 6.4%,
respectively; 10.1%; 13.1%.
With a mean velocity of crude oil, the addition of a
concentration of 250 ppm, 500 ppm and 750 ppm
respectively 0.78 m/s, 0.81 m/s, 0.83 m/s, and 0.85 m / s.
This is evident from the increase in the mean velocity
with the addition of CMC concentration, Figs. 15 (a), (b)
(c), (d) and (e) show the comparison of the mean velocity
profile area which represents an increase in flow rate.
Measurement of flow profiles in spiral pipe were
conducted at three different positions with measurements
at six points on the cross section of the flow, in contrast
to the circular pipe, due to the nature of the flow is not
uniform as it does in a circular pipe, spiral pipe flow
occurs on twisting so that the flow profile is more
complex.
The following is the analysis of flow profiles for each
difference ratio spiral pipe with side view position = 00
and the front view.
Profile spiral pipe flow ratio of 3.5 in Figs. 16 gives
the result of an increase in the flow rate on the addition
of CMC solution concentration of 500 ppm and 750 ppm
respectively, 3.1% and 4.1%. With the mean velocity of
the flow of crude oil CMC concentration 500 ppm and
750 ppm respectively of 0.59 m/s, 0.61 m/s and 0.62 m/s.
Profile spiral pipe flow ratio of 5.4 in Figs. 17 gives
the result of an increase in the flow rate on the addition
of CMC solution concentration of 500 ppm and 750 ppm
respectively, 3.7% and 5.1%. With the mean velocity of
the flow of crude oil CMC concentration 500 ppm and
750 ppm respectively of 0.64 m/s, 0.67 m/s and 0.69 m/s.
Profile spiral pipe flow ratio of 7.6 in Figs. 18 gives
the result of an increase in the flow rate on the addition
of CMC solution concentration of 500 ppm and 750 ppm
respectively, 4.3% and 6.5%.
With the mean velocity of the flow of crude oil CMC
concentration 500 ppm and 750 ppm respectively of 0.69
m/s, 0.74 m/s and 0.76 m/s.
Fig. 19 shows a graph which is comparing the change
in axial distance and the radius ratio of mean velocity
and maximum velocity. It can be shown that the closer
the wall, the value of velocity ratio decreases with
increase in the concentration of CMC in accordance with
the projection of the velocity distribution in Fig. 12.
Fig. 20 shows the relationship between y+ and u+ flow
shows the mean axial velocity profile in relation to the
wall unit for viscous sublayer region, the buffer layer,
and the turbulent core. Increasing the concentration of
CMC resulted in an increase in u+ greater penetrating the
turbulent core region. Distance curve on the graph CMC
concentration compared with Newtonian fluid is equal to
B.

Fig. 13. Characteristics drag reduction percentage to Generalized

Reynolds numberof CMC solution with increasing concentration
in spiral pipes

Fig. 14. Relationship of concentration to drag reduction percentage

at certain level of Reynolds number in spiral pipes

This can happen because the characters spiral pipe

flow is more random, rotate and whirl resulting polymer
chains are less effective in reducing eddy that occurs and
further accelerate the existing polymer chain scission
thus diminishing the ability of drag reduction.
The velocity distribution measurements using a pitot
tube, pitot tube which can raise each fall within 1 mm of
vertical and horizontal direction. For a circular pipe, the
pitot tube measurements performed with a profile
position due to the circular pipe is relatively
homogeneous.
While the spiral straight pipe made with three ways to
retrieve data flow velocity profile that is on the top
position 1 = 00, the left side position 2 = 1200, and the
right side position 3 = 2400, measurements were taken at
the Reynolds = 12500.
The results of these three measurements is projected to
generate velocity distribution graph looks aside and
looked ahead. By integrating numerical projection flow
profile is then obtained by the volumetric flow rate. From
the analysis of these differences can be explained flow
that occurs in the flow in a circular pipe and spiral pipe
ratio, and also the effect of the addition of CMC
concentration in the solution.
Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

Improvement of the data rate and the mean velocity of

flow in a circular pipe and spiral pipe with the addition of
CMC concentration into flow shows the effectiveness of
the use of polymer additives into the flow of crude oil.
The higher the ratio P/Di spiral pipe showed an
increase in flow rate and mean velocity. The rate increase
occurred in the ratio of spiral pipe P/Di 7.6 was the
highest of the other ratios.
Data distribution of the mean velocity profiles at
Reynolds value = 12500 could represent a phenomenon
that occurs in the reduction of the pressure drop with the
addition of CMC concentration.

crude oil
0.67
0.80
0.86
0.88
0.90
0.88

0.86

0.88

0.80

0.90

0.67

0.86
0.80
0.67

(a)

250 ppm
0.62
0.79
0.94
1.02
1.05
1.02

crude oil

1.02
0.94
1.05

0.79

0.86

0.68
0.86

0.62

0.78

0.94
0.79
0.62

0.78

0.62

0.68
0.62
0.40
0.19

0.40

(b)

0.19

(a)
0.57
0.80

500 ppm

1.09

1.00
1.09
1.12
1.09

1.00
0.88

1.12

0.92
0.84

0.63

0.57

0.92

1.00
0.80
0.57

0.84
0.67
0.42

(c)

0.20

750 ppm

0.67
0.63
0.42
0.20

(b)

0.53
0.80

1.04
0.80

1.04
1.15
1.19
1.15

750 ppm

1.15

0.62

1.19

0.89

0.89

0.53

0.85

1.04
0.80
0.53

0.69
0.47

(d)

0.85
0.69
0.62
0.47
0.20

0.20

(a)
(b)

(c)

(a)
(b)

(c)
(d)

(c)

(e)
(d)
Figs. 15. (a) Mean axial velocity profiles of crude oil in circular
pipewith inner diameter, Di=17mm, (b) Mean axial velocity profiles of
CMC solutions 250 ppm, (c) 500 ppm, (d) 750 ppm, (e) Comparison
of flow rates

Figs. 16. (a) Mean axial velocity profiles of crude oil in spiral pipe ratio
P/Di=3,5, (b) Mean axial velocity profiles of CMC solutions 500 ppm,
(c) 750 ppm, (d) Comparison of flow rates

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

crude oil

crude oil

0.82

0.76
0.89
0.82
0.66
0.46

0.89

0.89
0.82
0.76
0.66
0.46
0.24

0.89
0.83

0.83

0.82
0.72
0.56
0.31

0.72
0.56

0.24

0.31
(a)

(a)

500 ppm

500 ppm

0.75

0.73
0.92

1.00

0.92
0.88

0.88

0.98

0.73

0.73

0.84

0.73

0.61

0.50
0.26

0.50
0.26

1.00
0.98
0.84
0.75
0.61
0.30

0.30
(b)

(b)

750 ppm

750 ppm

0.79

0.72
0.98

1.03
1.01
0.83
1.01
0.79
0.83
0.58
0.30

1.03

0.98
0.92
0.73
0.72
0.52

0.92
0.73
0.52

0.58

0.26

0.30

0.26

(c)

(c)

(a)

(a)
(b)

(b)

(c)

(c)

(d)

(d)

Figs. 17. (a) Mean axial velocity profiles of crude oil in spiral pipe ratio
P/Di=5,4, (b) Mean axial velocity profiles of CMC solutions 500 ppm,
(c) 750 ppm, (d) Comparison of flow rates

Figs. 18. (a) Mean axial velocity profiles of crude oil in spiral pipe ratio
P/Di=7,6, (b) Mean axial velocity profiles of CMC solutions 500 ppm,
(c) 750 ppm, (d) Comparison of flow rates

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

the application of spiral pipe offers the best solution for

the flow of crude oil containing a heavy concentration of
particles in suspension. With certain ratios of spiral pipe
and additives CMC can be obtained without
sedimentation of crude oil flow and flow with lower
drag.

Acknowledgements
This work in sponsored by Directorate of Resesarch
and Community Services, University of Indonesia with
scheme of International Collaboration research-PUPT
BOPTN UI 2014.
Fig. 19. Mean axial velocity profiles of crude oil
and various concentration of CMC solutions

References
Yanuar, Gunawan, M. Baqi.Characteristics of Drag Reduction by
Guar Gum in Spiral Pipes. Jurnal Teknologi (Sciences &
Engineering) 58 (2012) Suppl 2,95-99.
[2] M.P.Escudier, F.Presti, S.Smith. Drag Reduction in the Turbulent
Pipe Flow of Polymer. J.Non-Newtonian Fluid Mech. 81 (1999)
197-213.
[3] Yanuar and Watanabe K. 2004. Toms Effect of Guar Gum
Additive for Crude Oil in Flow Through Square Ducts. The 14
International Symposium on Transport Phenomena. Bali
Indonesia. Elsevier P.599-603.
[4] Aqualon.Guar and Guar Derivatives Oil and Gas Field
Applications. Hercules Incorporated (2007).
[5] B.E. Abulnaga, Slurry Handbook, McGraw-Hill. 2002.
[6] K. Watanabe, T. Iwata, and H. Kato, Flow in Spiral Tube, 2nd
Report, Hydraulic Transport of Solid in a Horizontal Pipe, Bull.
JSME, 27 (230) 1692-1688, 1984.
[7] K. Watanabe, Drag Reduction on Fly Ash Slurries in a Spiral
Tube. Elsevier science publishing company, Inc. 693-700,1988.
[8] Yanuar, Ridwan, Budiarso, Raldi A. Koestoer. Hydraulics
Conveyances of Mud Slurry by a Spiral Pipe. Journal of
Mechanical Science and Technology. Springer. 23 (2009) 18351839.
[9] Yanuar, Budiarso, Gunawan, M.Baqi. Velocity Distribution of
Mud Slurry in Curved Spiral Pipes. International Journal of Fluid
Mechanics Research 38 (2011) 259-271.
[10] Virk, P.S., Drag Reduction Fundamentals, AIChE Journal, 21,
pp. 625-656, 1975.
[11] Lazim, T., Kareem, Z., Jaafar, M., Abdullah, S., Abdulwahid, A.,
Heat Transfer Enhancement in Spirally Corrugated Tube, (2014)
International Review on Modelling and Simulations (IREMOS), 7
(6), pp. 970-978.
[12] Bheekhun, N., Abu Talib, A.R., Hassan, M.R., Thermal spray
coatings for polymer matrix composites in gas turbine engines: A
literary preview, (2014) International Review of Aerospace
Engineering, 7 (3), pp. 84-87.
[1]

Fig. 20. Mean axial velocity profiles of crude oil and

various concentrations of CMC solutions in term of wall units

This is consistent with the data reduction ratio of the

pressure drop according to the previous test with the
relationship between the value of the friction factor and
Reynolds. Characteristics of polymer drag reduction in
spiral pipe is lower than that occurs in a circular pipe.
The highest drag reduction occurred in the spiral pipe
for a 7.6 ratio of 32.5%, while the circular pipe of 35.8%.
This is not a big problem for applications in the flow
of crude oil due to the use of spiral pipe function can be
used to avoid the deposition of particles in the flow.
So that needs to be optimized between the ratios of
spiral pipe containing the fluid character sludge
concentration, and also consideration of pressure drop
occurs.

Authors information
1

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Indonesia,

Jakarta 16424, Indonesia.
2

V.

Graduated Student of Mechanical Engineering, University of

Indonesia, Jakarta 16424, Indonesia.

Conclusion

The effect of addition CMC concentration in the flow

of crude oil was able to reduce both drag in a circular
pipe and spiral pipe. Spiral pipe with the ratio P/Di 7.6 is
the best ratio in the crude oil flow drag reduction
compared to the other ratios for spiral pipe, and the
characteristics of drag reduction ratio is slightly different
from the circular pipe. The important of this research is

Yanuar received his B.S. degree in Mechanical

Engineering from University of Indonesia, in
1986. He then received his Master of Eng. and
Doctor of Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from
University of Tokyo Metropolitan, Japan, in
1995 and 1998, respectively. Professor at
Mechanical
Engineering,
University
of
Indonesia in Jakarta, Indonesia. Prof. Dr. Ir.

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

Yanuar, Kurniawan T. Waskito, Gunawan, Budiarso

Yanuar, M.Eng, M.Sc has interest in research topic about drag

reduction in internal flow or external flow.
E-mail: yanuar@eng.ui.ac.id
Gunawan received his B.S. degree in Naval
Architecture from University of Indonesia,
Indonesia, in 2010. He then received his Master
of Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from
University of Indonesia, Indonesia, in 2012.
Now, He joined as young lecturer in his
University. His research project is about how to
reduce frictional resistance in under water body.
Budiarso is a lecturer in the Department of
Mechanical
Engineering,
Faculty
of
Engineering, University of Indonesia. Born in
Yogyakarta on March 23, 1950, he earned a
degree in Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Indonesia in 1977. He earned a
Master of Engineering in the Department of
Mechanical Engineering National University of
Singapore in 1996. The degree of Doctor of Engineering in the
Graduate University of Indonesia majoring in Mechanical Engineering
and Department of Mechanical Engineering of Tokyo Metropolitan
University in Japan he managed to achieve in 2005. Prof. Dr. Ir.
Budiarso, M.Eng, has interest in research topic about drag reduction in
internal flow or external flow.

Copyright 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

International Review of Mechanical Engineering, Vol. 9, N. 1

10