The prospects of DRA for reducing the energy consumption of thermal stations in a "hot" pumping

Introduction. Polymer additives not only affect the Toms effect. but also largely act as agents of reducing heat transfer in turbulent solution flows. In this connection, it is important to develop a mathematical model designed for forecast calculations of the thermal energy efficiency of drag reducing agent (DRA) during "hot" batching, which provides an assessment of the economic feasibility of using polymer additives in order to optimize thermal plants / heating stations operation. Methods. Based on the provisions of the semi-empirical Prandtl turbulence theory, a general mathematical model has been formulated, which boundary conditions imitate the presence of DRA (slippage condition and imperfection of thermal contact on the wall). A possibility of using the hydraulic approximation and the solution of V. I. Chernikin together with experimental dependencies for hydraulic efficiency is shown. Results. A simplified procedure for predicting the maximum possible thermal efficiency of DRA is suggested. For this purpose, an algorithm for a preliminary "rapid assessment" of the maximum "thermal" effect and the feasibility of using DRA under specific conditions has been developed. Discussion. The paper formulates the conditions for the economic feasibility to use DRA in order to improve the energy efficiency of thermal power plants. A closed system of relations has been derived for calculating the maximum possible contribution of DRA to the reduction of the total heat transfer ratio and. as a result. to the reduction of power consumption at thermal power plants. A simple condition is obtained for the "economic rapid assessment" of the "thermal" effect from the introduction of the additive. Conclusions. The use of DRA to increase the energy efficiency of thermal power plants is economically feasible only if oil is electrically heated.