Turbulent flow of non-Newtonian substances

A unique shear stress-shear rate relationship exists for laminar flow of any time independent substance in a tube, whereas this is not the case for turbulent flow. In order to obtain a unique relationship for turbulent flow, a new approach based on the elementary theoretical interpretation of experimental data is adopted in the present paper. In particular, wall shear stress is found to be a unique function of a new turbulent pseudo shear rate term. In this relationship there are two parameters which characterize a given substance — the limiting viscosity at high shear rateµ m and a factorα m which takes into account modification of turbulent structure by the non-Newtonian properties. Both of these parameters must be determined experimentally. Methods of predicting pressure gradients and of scaling up are outlined. In applying the approach to suspensions in which the solid phase has a density greater than that of the liquid medium, it may be important to determine the increment in shear stress equivalent to the energy required to maintain the solid particles in suspension.