Hydrophobic Piping 1

[McDermott1711]

Does anybody have experience with pipe having inside coated with hydrophobic material? This videoLink shows flow through untreated, hydrophilic and hydrophobic pipes. It seems using this kind of pipes (inside hydrophobic) reduces pump size and consumed energy. Isn't it?

 

[bimr]

There is a new coating out invented by some people from MIT, the company name is LiquiGlide. They have been running promotional ads in the science newsletters.

http://liquiglide.com/

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679878/mits-freaky-non-stick-coating-keeps-ketchup-flowing

The material has been proposed for condiments such as ketchup, but I don't think that it has been commercialized yet.

It is probably too expensive for industrial fluids at this stage.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Most non-drainage pipes in industrial settings run full, not with a mere trickle of water, and the conditions of the demo make it hard to evaluate pumping losses. It's a slick demo, though, so to speak.

There is a fair amount of global experience with polyolefin pipe of one sort or another, but I haven't noticed enough of a difference vs. other materials to go changing pump sizes.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[McDermott1711]

Thanks a lot for your reply. Even if in the future a cost effective material can be available, theoretical aspect of formalizing flow through these pipes shall be developed. Here,Link I've found some papers in this regard.

 

[BigInch]

Epoxy internal coating for steel pipe reduces roughness and head loss to a noticeable level. Pays for itself in a few years.

 

[georgeverghese]

Wouldnt a teflon (PTFE) coated pipe fit this description?

 

[McDermott1711]

To georgeverghes, I think so.

 

[bimr]

Teflon has been around for fifty years. The problems with entering the piping market entry include poor physical properties, durability, ease of use, and cost-effectiveness.

There are many competing technologies undergoing research.

Multiple patents have been issued for various technologies:

http://techportal.eere.energy.gov/technology.do/techID=412

http://www.ornl.gov/File Library/Ma...he Gap 2011/06-Superhydrophobic_Materials.pdf

LiquiGlide showed three slippery surfaces: teflon, superhydrophic surface and oil. They claimed that LiquiGlide is a better alternative than the three because it removes nearly all liquid without interfering with the consistency. First, the porous solid which is on the surface of the product. On the porous solid is the impregnating liquid and the product's liquid would be on the impregnating liquid. The LiquidGlide coating is like a lubricant in that a permanently wet layer that is designed to be super slippery. Essentially, the end product is resting directly on a layer of liquid.