Abstract

A review of investigations on the effect of drag-reducing agents in curved pipe flows is presented in this work. Proposed mechanisms of drag reduction, as well as factors that influence their effectiveness also received attention. In addition, this review outlined proposed friction factor and fluid flux models for flow of drag-reducing agents in curved pipes. It was shown in this report that significant drag reduction in curved pipes can be achieved using drag-reducing agents. Drag reduction by additives in curved pipes are generally lower than the corresponding drag reduction in straight pipes. It decreases with increase in curvature ratio and is more pronounced in the transition and turbulent flow regimes. Drag reduction depends strongly on the concentration of polymers and surfactants as well as the bubble fraction of micro-bubbles. It is also reported that drag reduction in curved pipes depends on other factors such as temperature and presence of dissolved salts. Maximum drag reduction asymptote differed between straight and curved pipes and between polymer and surfactant. Due to the limited studies in the area of drag reduction for gas-liquid flow in curved pipes no definite conclusion could be drawn on the effect of drag-reducing agents on such flows. A number of questions remain such as the mechanism of drag reduction in curved pipes and how drag-reducing agents interact with secondary flows. Hence, some research gaps have been identified with recommendations for areas of future researches.