Polymer turbulence drag reduction

In 1948 Toms discovered by experiments that the addition of a small amount of polymer into a turbulent Newtonian solvent (parts per million by weight), which results in a Non-Newtonian fluid solution, can reduce the skin frictional drag on a stationary surface by up to 80%. This technology has been successfully implemented to reduce pumping cost for oil pipelines, to increase the flow rate in fire fighting equipment and to help irrigation and drainage (Sellin & Ollis, 1980; Khalil et al., 2002). It also has potential applications in the design of ship and submarine hulls to achieve an increased speed and reduced energy cost.