Meandering turbulent flow of viscoelastic fluids enhances energy-efficient heat exchange, cooling and mixing systems

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1079126

"viscoelastic liquid/ elastic suppressing turbulence in simple flows (straight pipes/ channels), leading to reduced wall friction enhancing energy efficiency... exhibit relaxation time... closed-circuit water loop with 2D channel (20 mm height), 1:2 backward-facing step expansion ratio... turbulent eddies produce kinetic energy as flow attempts equilibrium, which relaxation time interacts with, leading to inertia-viscoelastic meandering motion... adjusting for high diffusivity state boosts heat transfer efficiency/ fluid mixing"