Drag-Reduction Effectiveness of Xanthan Gum in Water Flow System

Drag reduction is the reduction of pressure drop and skin friction in turbulent flows. This
is achievable by adding Drag Reducing Agents (DRA) such as polymers, surfactant solutions and
fiber particles. This investigation focuses specifically on the potential of the Xanthan gum
polymer as a DRA. The efficiency of water flooding and water injection is limited to the
maximum injection rate executable. Some fields require a higher amount of water injected at one
time to attain the desired reservoir pressure. Using DRA to improve the water transport in these
could be an economic and efficient option for the oil and gas industry. The effectiveness of
Xanthan gum as DRA is investigated using a water flow system made up of galvanized steel
pipes and a reciprocal pump. Among variables tested are the concentration, degradation and
pump RPM to determine the Xanthan gum's performance as a drag reducing agent. From the
experiment results, it is found that drag reduction increases as Xanthan gum concentration and
Reynolds number increases. The experiment results prove that Xanthan gum has great potential
as a DRA. It is hoped that this research will lead to a widespread use of this polymer in
improving water injection and transportation.