The Need

Fluid transport systems—ranging from district heating/cooling networks to oil and gas operations—face significant energy losses due to turbulent flow. Traditional drag-reducing agents lack adaptability and often compromise heat transfer efficiency. There is a critical need for a solution that not only reduces drag but also offers controllable performance based on system conditions such as temperature, flow rate, and concentration, enabling smarter, more efficient fluid management.

The Technology

This technology, developed by OSU engineers, introduces two novel surfactant-based drag-reducing solutions—ZwitCat and 3-chloro—that exhibit tunable performance characteristics. These solutions can reversibly switch their drag-reducing behavior in response to changes in temperature, flow rate, or dilution. This dynamic control is achieved through engineered surfactant-counterion interactions, allowing the solution to adapt to operational needs without mechanical intervention or system redesign.

Benefits/Advantages

• Switchable drag reduction via temperature, flow rate, or dilution
• Improved environmental profile through precipitation-based surfactant recovery
• Customizable performance by tuning counterion concentration
• Enhanced operational efficiency with reduced pumping costs and minimized heat transfer interference