Flow Resistance and Structures in Viscoelastic Channel Flows at Low Re

The flow of viscoelastic fluids in channels and pipes remains poorly understood, particularly at low Reynolds numbers. Here, we investigate the flow of polymeric solutions in straight channels using pressure measurements and particle tracking. The flow friction factor f_{η} versus flow rate exhibits two regimes: a transitional regime marked by rapid increase in drag, and a turbulentlike regime characterized by a sudden decrease in drag and a weak dependence on flow rate. Lagrangian trajectories show finite transverse modulations not seen in Newtonian fluids. These curvature perturbations far downstream can generate sufficient hoop stresses to sustain the flow instabilities in the parallel shear flow.