PROBLEM OF EMPLOYING THE TOMS EFFECT IN THE POWER INDUSTRY.

When polymers of high molecular weight are added to water in very small quantities the frictional drag of water can be reduced by 60-70%. The article pesents the results of a study of the Toms phenomenon in relation to a rotating disk, in tubes and with local resistances, and also considers future use of weak aqueous solutions of polymers as heat carriers in closed circulation heating systems. Aqueous solutions of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polyacrylamide (PAA) were used in experiments. It was found that the frictional drag was lowered by up to 50%. Conclusion is drawn that high-polymer additives should be used in closed systems with fairly high water flowrate and high frictional drag. Application to Odessa heating network with about 10. 5 km long main pipelines is considered. A possibility to reduce pipline diameters is also envisaged. PAA is stable, nontoxic and noncorrosive.