A HIGH REYNOLDS-NUMBER ROTATING-DISK RHEOMETER

The construction and principles of operation of a rotating disk rheometer are outlined as is its use in the study of polymeric fluid drag reduction. The need for a sensitive measuring system under a wide variation of Reynolds numbers has prompted the development of a computer-controlled system that allows a systematic measurement of the turbulent fluid frictional difference between dilute polymer solutions. Also, the long-term drag-reducing stability of macromolecules in a turbulent flow field can be conveniently measured. Representative data from experimental measurements are presented demonstrating the capabilities of this instrument. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.