Drag Reducing Agents for Water Injection using Natural Polymer(Mung Beans)

Drag is one type of the problem in the flow assurance. Drag is a resistance encountered by the flowing fluid when in contact with solid surface or pipeline. Use of Drag Reducing Agents (DRA) in a liquids pipeline can increase throughput and reduce operating costs, both of which can have a significant impact on the revenue and profit of the pipeline company. The effectiveness of DRA is measured in terms of the percentage drag reduction in the frictional losses in the pipeline. However, this effectiveness varies with the DRA concentration. Presence of DRA will help to reduce frictional pressure drop and increase water flow rate in the pipeline. The present study focused on a new, cheap, natural and environmentally friendly flow improver that was extracted from the natural polymer such as okra fruit, cocoa husk, tapioca and aloe vera. Instead of buying a new pump power which is very costly or install a new pipeline which is more complicated work, by introducing natural polymer as drag reducing agent is more reliable solution and moreover fulfil both demand economically and environmentally. Rheology test is conducted to all candidates of natural polymer in order to select the best type of natural polymer for being tested. The experimental study has been performed in 1 inch galvanized iron steel pipe with a total length of 12.25 meters. In addition, two pressure gauges with scale 0-100 psi have been placed to record pressure readings. The DRA concentrations of 600ppm – 1000ppm were used in this study. This project has specifically focused on Mung Beans as DRA. Result of the project showed that Mung Beans give highest drag reduction percentage which is 11.54% in concentration of 1000ppm. Result of this experiment also showed that water flow rate and velocity of the water has increased with the increment value of concentration.