Energy loss reduction is a research activity at Telemark University College in collaboration with University of California, Berkeley, USA, and University of Vilnius, Lithuania, directed by Professor PhD Magne Waskaas.

Many important industrial processes and community works involve transport of fluids in pipes. Examples are among others, supply of water to hydroelectric power stations, water-works, water purification plants, transport of oil and gas in pipes, etc. A common problem connected with all forms of transport of fluids in pipes and ducts, is the loss of fluid pressure due to the flow resistance. This pressure loss causes loss of energy for all processes. Based on preliminary experiments, a novel approach to energy loss reduction is proposed on the basis of applied electric fields to the pipes.

Regardless the mechanism by which the energy loss is reduced is not currently understood, it is influenced by the shear stress near the wall. High shear stresses tend to impede material from adhering to the wall, while low stresses allow for relatively more wall growth. Also, the strength of the electric field at the solid-fluid interface/wall contributes to the rate of growth. Consequently, there can be two effects (mechanical and electrical) controlling wall growth, and hence, the energy loss. Although small, the electric field effect represents the possibility of significant cost savings.

Research activities

• Fundamental studies of the electric field effect on energy loss reduction of flowing fluids
• Development of a method for in situ monitoring of the wall growth based om electromagnetism
• Experimental flow analysis

Selected publications

• Waskaas, M., Matvetev, I.H. and Esbensen, K.H.: Applied Electrical DC-Potential as a Flow Improvement. A Study by Chemometric Inter-Calibration. Joint International Meeting of the 200th Meeting of The Electrochemical Society, Inc. and the 52nd Meeting of The International Society of Electrochemistry, San Francisco, California, USA, 2-7 September 2001.
• Waskaas, M. Method for reduction of flow resistance in pipes and ducts. 2002. United States Patent no US 6,334,957 B1, Australia Patent no AU 726043, China Patent no WO99/19260, Denmark Patent no DK/EP1021376, Finland Patent no FI/EP1021376 T3, Itay Patent no EP1021376, Japan Patent no 2001-P519516, Latvia Patent no EP1021376, Lithuania Patent no EP1021376, Norway Patent no NO 309625 B1, Portugal Patent no EP1021376, Spain Patent no EP1021376 B1, United Kingdom Patent no EP (UK) 1021376
• Daujotis, V. and Waskaas, M.: Examination of the relationship between the applied electrical potential and the flow friction, i.e. the viscosity-density product for the fluid flow. Vilnius, 2002. Faculty of Chemistry, Vilnius University.
• Waskaas, M. Method for flow improvement and reduction of fouling in prosess equipment. 2004. PCT, WO 2004/094319 A1.
• Waskaas, M., and Daleng, J: Improvement of water flow in pipelines by an applied electrical potential. 22nd IAHR SYMPOSIUM on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems, Stockholm, Sweden, June, 2004.
• Plausinaitis, D., Waskaas, M., Raudonis, R., Daujotis, V.: Piezoelectric resonator and high-frequency admittance study of viscosity and density change in thin water layer adjacent to electrode surface. Electrochimica Acta, 51, 2006.
• Waskaas, M., Daujotis, V.,Wolden, K.E., Raudonis, R., Plausinaitis, D.: Drag reduction in turbulent pipe flow by applied electric potentials. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 51, 2006 (59th Annual Meeting of the Division of Fluid Dynamics, Tampa, Florida, USA, November 19-21, 2006).
• Waskaas, M.: Piezometric pressure measurements for water flow in a pipe with electrified inner surface. Russian Journal of Electrochemistry, 42, 2006.
• Waskaas, M., Daujotis, V.,Wolden, K.E., Raudonis, R., Plausinaitis, D.: Reduction in pressure drop for pipe flow due to changes of the electrochemical properties of the pipes inner surface. Russian Journal of Electrochemistry. Russian Journal of Electrochemistry, 44, 2008. Invited.
• Zohdi, T.I.: Charged wall growth in channel flow. International Journal of Engineering Science, 48, 2010.
• Plausinaitis, D., Waskaas, M., Raudonis, R., Daujotis, V.: Wall electric polarization as a stability modifier for wall-bounded water flow. Science. Submitted.