Novel discovery: flow improvement by a particular applied electrical DC-potential. An experimental study

M. Waskaas¹ - H. Matveyev² - K. H. Esbensen³

¹ Telemark University College, Faculty of Technology, N3918 Porsgrunn, Norway
² EMT Research ASA, Porsgrunn, Norway
³ Aalborg University, Esbjerg, Denmark }

Abstract
The objective is to study whether a particular applied electrical DC-potential to the pipeline has an effect on the flow velocity profile. The flow velocity profile is measured by PIV laser over the cross-section of the pipeline, and is measured in a plexiglas section of the pipeline. The results which are analyzed by multivariate calibration methods, indicate an increase in the flow velocity in the range near the wall. Upscaling to field-scale pipelines has also been done. When this particular electrical DC-potential is applied to the pipeline in a hydroelectric powerstation, a decrease in the head loss up to 14%, and an increase in the power production up to 2% have been observed. Tables 2, Figs 5, Refs 8.