Pressure-flow Characteristics Research Articles

Femoral Blood Flow During Blood Flow Restriction In Males And Females

Use of blood flow restriction (BFR) during strength training results in an increase in muscle strength and mass when using light loads (20-30% of 1 RM). Only a few studies have reported actual arterial blood flow characteristics during BFR. In addition, research reporting blood flow characteristics in the dominant and non-dominant limb in both males and females is lacking. PURPOSE: This study compared femoral artery occlusion pressure (AOP) and femoral artery blood flow characteristics at different percentages of AOP between both legs in males and females. METHODS: Participants in this study included 31 physically active and healthy males (n=18) and females (n=13) years of age. Blood flow in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) was measured using Doppler ultrasound and BFR was controlled using a Hokanson E20 Rapid Cuff Inflator with a 10 cm cuff placed on the upper thigh. After measuring the AOP of the SFA, blood flow was measured in a random order at 0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of AOP. This was repeated in the opposite leg. Blood flow was recorded in absolute (mL/min) and relative terms (% unoccluded bloodflow). RESULTS: There was significant difference (p<0.008) in the AOP in the dominant leg (234 vs 188 mmHg) and nondominant leg (206 vs 177 mmHg) between males and females, respectively. After accounting for differences in leg circumference (p<0.001), sex remained a significant (p=0.0001) factor in accounting for differences in AOP. The difference in AOP between the dominant and nondominant leg in males (234 vs 206 mmHg) and females (188 vs 177) were not significant (p=0.123). At each of the occlusion pressures (0%, 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 100% of AOP), there were no differences in absolute or relative blood flow between males and females. The relationship between SFA blood flow at occlusion pressures between 0 and 100% of the AOP was curvilinear in both males and females. Blood flow at occlusion pressures between 40% and 80% of AOP was relatively constant. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in AOP in males and females can be attributed, in part to differences in leg circumference and sex. The curvilinear relationship between blood flow and occlusion pressure indicates that BFR during exercise can be equally effective a lower pressures (40% AOP) as at higher pressures (80% AOP).

Detritus removal from a pumping-plant intake chamber with hydrajet pumps

Issues of excessive sedimentation of sediment in the pre-chambers of reclamation pumping stations are important in ensuring their reliable operation. Examinations have established that excessive detritus deposition in the intake part of the chamber complicates the water intake by pumps, increases energy consumption. For the timely cleaning of the intake chamber from detritus, a new device, equipped with a hydrajet pump fed from the pressure pipe of the main pump of the station is proposed. An equation for the pressure-flow characteristics of a water-jet pump used to drain the hydraulic mixture (water + solid mass) based on the of E.A. Sokolov and N.M. Singer methodology and the parameters of the hydrajet pump at given pressure values and the planned value of the flow rate of the solid mass have been obtained. The optimal values of the relative head h = 0.19 and the relative flow q = 0.6. At these values, the efficiency of the installation will be maximum. The results of the experiments carried out according to the estimation design have shown their satisfactory convergence with the calculated data and made possible to determine the optimal pressure and flow parameters of the hydrajet pump from the maximum efficiency.

Разработка системы автоматического управления струйным измельчением на основе экспериментальных данных

Актуальность тематики данной работы определяется необходимостью снижения энергоемкости тонкого измельчения путем управления процессом, что предлагается осуществлять на основе результатов акустического мониторинга. В работе предложена система автоматического управления по критерию максимальной производительности, учитывающая особенности процесса. Описана функциональная и создана структурная схема измельчительной установки замкнутого цикла измельчения. Для описания процесса подачи материала используется модель бункера с учетом изменения площади его выходного отверстия. Процесс измельчения в рабочей зоне измельчения рассматривается как изменение концентрации материала в камере. При моделировании потока материала в классификаторе учитываются пульсации циркуляционной нагрузки в замкнутом цикле измельчения. Разработанная схема системы автоматического управления включает два уровня управления и описание объекта управления. Полученные результаты позволят качественно улучшить управление процессом измельчения.

Posture related in-vitro characterization of a flow regulated MEMS CSF valve.

Overdrainage in upright position is one of the most prevalent issues in treating hydrocephalus with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunt. Anti-siphon devices (ASDs) are employed to reduce this problem. A novel microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based valve, termed Chronoflow device, aims to regulate CSF drainage indifferently of the body posture. With this study, the suitability of this MEMS-based valve is evaluated regarding its use for the treatment of hydrocephalus, particularly for the prevention of overdrainage and blockage. In total, four Chronoflow devices were tested. An established in-vitro hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) test bed was used to investigate the valves regarding their pressure-flow characteristics, their behaviors towards CSF dynamics, and their capabilities to prevent CSF overdrainage in upright position. Additionally, a contamination test was conducted to evaluate the susceptibility of the device to blockage due to particles. All valves tested regulated the drainage rate at similar nominal flows and independently of posture. The pressure-flow relation measured, however, was notably higher than numerically calculated. Regarding the CSF dynamics, the first three valves tested led to a decreased steady-state intracranial pressure in supine position and showed stable drainage rate in upright position. During the transitional phase from supine to upright and vice versa, the valves continuously adjusted the outflow resistance, which resulted in a stable transitional phase preventing overdrainage. Yet, the fourth valve showed continuous overdrainage in upright position due to an increased nominal flow. However, after several test iterations the nominal flow decreased and stabilized at a level similar to that of the first three valves tested. The contamination test showed that most particles initially adhere to the pillars and spread throughout the cavity of the valve as the concentration of particles increases, thereby affecting the displacement of the membrane. The devices generally provide a stable flow regulation and prevent overdrainage in upright position. Specifically, their drainage behaviors during the posture changes are very effective. However, they also showed high hysteresis and sensitivity towards particle contamination, which resulted in initial increased and altering nominal flows after many test iterations. This result suggests that the MEMS design presented lacks robustness. Yet, an upstream filter and specific coatings on the fluid pathway may increase significantly its reliability.

Left ventricular unloading during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation - Impella versus atrial septal defect: A simulation study.

Atrial septal defect and Impella have been proposed for left ventricular unloading in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients. This work aims at evaluating the haemodynamic changes in venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation patients after Impella implantation or atrial septal defect realization by a simulation study. A lumped parameter model of the cardiovascular system was adapted to this study. Atrial septal defect was modelled as a resistance between the two atria. Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and Impella were modelled starting from their pressure-flow characteristics. The baseline condition of a patient undergoing venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was reproduced starting from haemodynamic and echocardiographic data. The effects of different atrial septal defect size, Impella and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support were simulated. Impella caused an increment of mean arterial pressure up to 67%, a decrement in mean pulmonary arterial pressure up to 8%, a decrement in left ventricular end systolic volume up to 11% with a reduction up to 97% of left ventricular cardiac output. Atrial septal defect reduces left atrial pressure (19%), increases right atrial pressure (22%), increases mean arterial pressure (18%), decreases left ventricular end systolic volume (11%), increases right ventricular volume (33%) and decreases left ventricular cardiac output (55%). Impella has a higher capability in left ventricular unloading during venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in comparison to atrial septal defect with a lower right ventricular overload.

Опыт создания лаборатории судовых вспомогательных механизмов для обучения судовых механиков в ФГБОУ ВО «АГТУ»

The article focuses on the functional capabilities, technical characteristics and bench composition of the laboratory of ship auxiliary mechanisms, which was created at the Department of Operation of Water Transport at the Astrakhan State Technical University (ASTU) for training marine engineers. The laboratory provides the students with professional competencies in such aspects of the mechanical engineer’s operation as ship turbo machines, ship auxiliary mechanisms and systems, automatic control systems, operation of ship boiler rooms and steam generating plants, etc. There have been presented the pictures of laboratory test benches for testing the P01 ship steering machine and ЯШ-2Р anchor mooring pin, РCC-6.3/10 ship fan, TKР-700 turbo compressor, gear fuel pump Ш5-25-3Б, prototypes of TГ-16M gas turbine generator and ГTД-16M gas turbine engine. Using the laboratory test benches for auxiliary mechanisms and systems helps to both consolidate the theory and gain the new practical knowledge on the design, operation principles and testing skills of the ship steering machine, deck equipment, ventilation systems gear pumps, turbochargers, etc. It has been stated that all the laboratory facilities, except for the GD-IN model (facilities for studying the pump operation and constructing pressure-flow characteristics), were developed and assembled by the students and teachers on the basis of the real ship equipment. The laboratory tests are based on regulatory and technical documents: the rules of the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, machine operating instructions, relevant GOSTs, guidance and regulatory documents. Building the laboratory of auxiliary mechanisms and systems and optimizing the time for practical and laboratory training of ship mechanical engineers at ASTU were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the new educational standard GEF 3++ of higher education and the International Convention on Training and Certification of Sailors and Watchkeeping (The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code).

PROTECTION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS FROM ABRASIVE WEAR USING A VACUUM HYDROCYCLONE

The design features of the existing design and technology for the protection of downhole pumps of the ECV type from abrasive wear during operation are considered and analyzed. Based on the analysis, a new method for capturing solid impurities on the suction line of a borehole pump of the ECV type using a pressure-vacuum hydrocyclone is proposed. It is specified that at field tests of a prototype of new installation technological process is estimated on the pressure-expense characteristic and technological-operational indicators according to requirements of GOST 6134-81 " pumps dynamic. Test method. " In this case, the flow rate of the base pump on water is determined by means of a turbine water meter mounted on a water-lifting pipe with a valve. The performance of the hydraulic elevator is established by the volumetric method, and the head in front of the valve of the pump pressure pipe using an approximate pressure gauge. It is established that the flow-pressure characteristics of the base submersible pump ECV are provided in full (water flow 60-70 m3/h, head - 110-118 m), overload on the electric motor is not detected (ammeter readings are within the permissible limits-68-71 amperes), the degree of water purification is 95-96%. It is noted that the implementation of a flexible packer device with slots and the presence on the surface of the second minihydrocyclone-thickener significantly improves the functioning of the adopted scheme of water treatment. It turned out that with this technology, the overload of the pump motor is reduced by cooling with water without mechanical impurities.

Peristaltic transport of conducting Williamson fluid in a porous channel

In physiology, peristalsis is used to transport the biofluid from a region of lower pressure to higher pressure in the living body. Most of the biofluids (such as blood) are classified as non-Newtonian fluids. In some pathological conditions, the distribution of fatty cholesterol and artery clogging blood clots in the lumen of coronary artery can be modeled as fluid flow in a porous tube. In view of this, the peristaltic flow of a conducting non-Newtonian Williamson fluid in a porous channel with flexible walls under the effects of radiation is investigated. The problem is solved applying perturbation method. Velocity distribution and pressure flow characteristics are calculated and the effects of various emerging parameters on the flow characteristics are discussed in detail.

A mathematical modelling of frost growth dynamics on a surface of fin-and-tube air cooler

A mathematical model was developed to predict the performance characteristics of fin-and-tube air coolers with plane fins, taking into account the temperature and humidity conditions, non-uniform thickness of the frost layer along the heat exchanger core, flow-pressure characteristics of the fans and the refrigerant superheat zone. The model was verified on the experimental data of air cooler performance in frosting conditions obtained by the authors in air temperature range from minus 6 to minus 20 ° C, and experimental data from independent researchers. The presented model predicts the cooling capacity and the overall heat transfer coefficient in the evaporator with error not exceeded 15%. It was found that during dry operating conditions of the air cooler, the refrigerant boiling temperature descent by 10 °C leads to a decrease in the overall heat transfer coefficient by 35%. The main reason of that is double decrease of the refrigerant mass velocity and the refrigerant-side heat transfer coefficient by 75%. The process of frost grow leads to an increase in overall thermal resistance in the studied air cooler by 30%, more than double increase in the aerodynamic resistance and decrease in cooling capacity by 15%.

Steady-State Model of Pressure-Flow Characteristics Modulated by Occluders in Cardiopulmonary Bypass Systems

Cardiopulmonary bypass is a complex procedure that involves the maintenance of heart and lung functions using an external system during cardiac surgery. It is prone to significant human errors, which are mainly caused by inappropriate occluder operation that controls the perfusion balance by adjusting flow rates. Hence, there is a requirement for automatic occluder control; however, the relationship between occluder operation and flow rates remains unclear. The aim of this study is to use a steady-state model to evaluate the influence of occluder control on the flow and pressure of a cardiopulmonary bypass system. Perfusion experiments were performed using Newtonian (glycerin solution) and non-Newtonian (erythrocyte turbid solution) fluids to investigate the pressure-flow characteristics modulated by the occluder. We also visualized the fluid to verify the validity of the measurement data. Based on these experimental data, an exponential occlusion-pressure model is derived to express the relationships between the opening ratio of the occluder and flow rate. Estimation is then achieved by combining the occlusion-pressure model with the linear pressure-flow model. Results reveal that the combined model fitted the perfusion experiment data well for the venous and arterial line side ( $R^{2} = 0.946$ and 0.985, respectively; $p ). Further, leave-one-out cross-validation and Bland–Altman analysis confirmed that the combined model could predict flow rates accurately with minimal proportional and bias errors. Therefore, the proposed model can serve as a basis for the further development of cardiopulmonary manipulation systems.

Pressure distribution and flow characteristics during negative pressure wound therapy

Aim of the studyNegative pressure wound therapy is thought to improve wound healing by altering capillary perfusion. However, despite many theories, the underlying mechanism of action remains controversial. Recent evidence suggests an increased tissue pressure and a temporary decreased microvascular blood flow as the main reasons for the good clinical results [1]. In an attempt to further explain the mechanism of action, we investigated the pressure distribution on the foam interface, and the influence on perfusion in a pre-experimental design. Materials and methodsPressure distribution was measured using a sensor based on a capacitive dielectric elastomer with flexible electrodes. In vitro flow measurements were done with vessel imitations in a block of 300 bloom ballistic gel to simulate soft tissue. ResultsA peak pressure of up to 187 mmHg (255 g/cm2) within the foam interface, as well as decreased perfusion, were found using a standard negative pressure wound therapy setup. In conclusion, negative pressure wound therapy applies positive pressure to adjacent tissue and decreases local flow. The amount of suction applied is proportional to the pressure on the foam interface and reduction in flow. ConclusionIn line with previous studies investigating the underlying mechanism of action, these findings may contribute to possible alterations in the use of negative pressure wound therapy, e.g. lowering suction pressure in patients with diminished peripheral blood flow.

Peripheral cannulae selection for veno-arterial extracorporeal life support: a paradox.

Explosive penetration of veno-arterial extracorporeal life support in everyday practice has drawn awareness to complications of peripheral cannulation, resulting in recommendations to use smaller size cannulae. However, using smaller cannulae may limit the effectiveness of extracorporeal support and thereby the specific needs of the patient. Selection of proper size cannulae may therefore pose a dilemma, especially since pressure-flow characteristics at different hematocrits are lacking. This study evaluates the precision of cannula pressure drop prediction with increase of fluid viscosity from water flow-pressure charts by M-number, dynamic similarity law, and via fitted parabolic equation. Thirteen commercially available peripheral cannulae were used in this in vitro study. Pressure drop and flow were recorded using water and a water-glycerol solution as a surrogate for blood, at ambient temperature. Subsequently, pressure-flow curves were modeled with increased fluid viscosity (0.0031 N s m−2), and then compared by M-number, dynamic similarity law, and fitted parabolic equation. The agreement of predicted and measured values were significantly higher when the M-number (concordance correlation = 0.948), and the dynamic similarity law method (concordance correlation = 0.947) was used in comparison to the fitted parabolic equation (concordance correlation = 0.898, p < 0.01). The M-number and dynamic similarity based model allow for reliable prediction of peripheral cannula pressure drop with changes of fluid viscosity and could therefore aid in well-thought-out selection of cannulae for extracorporeal life support.

Calculation and experimental research of liquid flow through a radiator of the electric car power battery thermal managment system

The article presents current state of the development of the thermostatic control system for electric vehicle traction batteries. The results of calculation and experimental research of the fluid flow through the radiator of the electric car power battery thermal managment system are described. Based on the data obtained, a pressure-flow characteristic of the radiator is constructed.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ОТКАЗОУСТОЙЧИВОГО ВЕНТИЛЬНО-ИНДУКТОРНОГО ЭЛЕКТРОДВИГАТЕЛЯ НАСОСА ДЛЯ ДОБЫЧИ НЕФТИ

Актуальность. На сегодняшний день нефтедобыча является одним из приоритетных направлений промышленного развития в стране. В связи с этим важным является повышение эффективности работы электродвигателя, входящего в состав электротехнических комплексов установок нефтедобывающих и нефтеперекачивающих насосов. Именно этот элемент комплекса в значительной степени определяет надежность технологической системы в целом. В частности, аварийный выход из строя электродвигателя влечет за собой технологическую остановку производства и приводит к недоотпуску нефти и как следствие к значительным экономическим потерям. Поэтому обеспечение отказоустойчивости исполнительного электродвигателя является важнейшей задачей. Одним из вариантов решения такой задачи является использование перспективного вентильно-индукторного двигателя в совокупности с алгоритмами отказоустойчивого управления. Цель: разработка алгоритмов отказоустойчивого управления исполнительным вентильно-индукторным электродвигателем в неполнофазных режимах работы; повышение качества функционирования вентильно-индукторного электродвигателя насоса в аварийных неполнофазных режимах работы путем подключения алгоритмов отказоустойчивого управления, позволяющих сохранять и полностью либо частично восстанавливать работоспособность исполнительного вентильно-индукторного электродвигателя при однократных и множественных отказах силовых цепей. Объект: трехфазный вентильно-индукторный электродвигатель нефтедобывающего насоса в неполнофазных режимах работы. Методы: теория электрических машин; методы описания динамических электромеханических и магнитных процессов; математическое и имитационное моделирование, программирование в среде MathCad и Matlab Simulink. Результаты. Разработана математическая и имитационная модели отказоустойчивого трехфазного вентильно-индукторного электропривода. Получены напорно-расходные характеристики нефтедобывающего насоса в неполнофазном режиме работы исполнительного вентильно-индукторного электродвигателя с применением алгоритмов отказоустойчивого управления.

A dual lane piezoelectric ring bender actuated nozzle-flapper servo valve for aero engine fuel metering

Amongst many other high performance flow control applications, servo valves are used to control aero engines by metering the fuel delivered from the fuel pump. Conventionally, a fuel metering servo valve has a pilot stage with an electromagnetic torque motor moving a flapper which differentially restricts a pair of nozzles to create a hydraulic signal (i.e. a pressure difference). These valve pilot stages use mature, optimised technology such that to achieve improvements requires a novel approach. Torque motors in particular present reliability and manufacturing difficulties, and news solutions should ultimately allow a reduction in manual assembly and set-up, improve repeatability, and eliminate failures associated with fine wire devices. In this paper, a pilot stage actuated by piezoelectric ring benders is proposed, designed, built and tested, and test results are compared with a model used to predict pressure-flow characteristics. A particular challenge is the need to include redundancy, and thus a pair of ring benders is used, allowing isolation between duplicated electrical control channels. Another challenge is the mounting of the ring bender, which has to flex to allow the outer edge of the ring bender to deform, yet be stiff enough to adequately react against generated forces. O-ring mounts made from three different elastomer materials are compared in this study. In aerospace, an added complication is the large range of fuel temperature; F70 fluorosilicone O-rings have been chosen with this in mind, and successfully demonstrated in the range −50 °C to +180 °C. With one active and one inactive ring bender to simulate a failure condition, the new dual lane pilot stage achieves +/−50 μm displacement under test, giving control port flows up to +/−0.6 l min−1, and a control port pressure variation of 40 bar using a 100 bar supply pressure difference (supply minus return pressure). This research establishes that a piezoelectric aero engine fuel valve is feasible, and in particular, that piezoelectric ring bender actuators with elastomeric mountings are highly suited to this application.

CONDITIONS FOR PREVENTION OF WATER HAMMERS AT START-UP OF EMERGENCY FEED PUMPS WITH A STEAM DRIVER OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

A promising approach to accident management in nuclear power plants with a complete loss of long-term power supply is an emergency feed pump with a steam driver from a steam generator. The main advantages of this approach in relation to the known systems of passive heat removal with natural circulation are the fundamental possibility of fully compensating for the failure of design safety systems with electric pumps, as well as the absence of the need to remove the safety system elements to a greater height beyond the containment / container. However, the use of steam driven emergency pumps requires a deep study of their reliability. One such issue is the qualification of reliability when starting an emergency pump with a steam driver. An original method for modeling the conditions for the occurrence of a water hammer when starting a steam-driven pump is proposed. The conditions for the prevention of water hammer due to the inertia of the pressure-flow characteristics of emergency feed pumps with a steam driver from the steam generator are determined. The results obtained can be used in the design of emergency feed pumps with a steam driver from a steam generator subject to additional experimental qualifications.

Development and evaluation of a mathematical model in an in situ uranium leaching technique

ABSTRACTThis paper describes the process for the development of a mathematical model for an in situ uranium leaching method. A phased modelling process in MATLAB is conducted from the injection well to the ore body and from the ore body to the extraction well. Then a parametric identification of the injection and extraction wells is made, as well as the ore body itself. In addition, the hydraulic-resistance dependence of the bottom-hole zone on the flow rate of an injected solution in an injection well is determined and a technique is suggested for determination of the flow-pressure characteristics of the extraction well.

Experimental Investigation of Heat Transfer in Microchannel with Inlet Cavitation Structure

Heat transfer of R134a through the microchannel with an inlet reentrant cavitation structure was investigated for high flux thermal management of electronic devices. The cavitating flow patterns, pressure, and heat transfer characteristics were studied at the range of effective heat fluxes from 0–138.4 W/cm2 with mass flow velocities from 2.12–5.23 m/s. A stable and ideal starting point of two phase flow and heat transfer was commendably provided by the inlet cavitation orifice. There existed an axis deviation liquid jet after the micro-orifice. The refrigeration vapor was generated from the cavitation structure but liquidized at the downstream of the channel. The wall temperature along flow orientation presented an opposite trend under the test states with or without heat input. The cavitation structure can significantly suppress the flow oscillation in microchannels and the outlet pressure fluctuation reduced about 72% compared with the fluctuation at the entrance. The heat transfer coefficient had been distinctly impacted by heat flux at lower heat input and then maintained the value nearly constant of 11.0 W/(cm2·K) with the critical heat flux of 88.4 W/cm2.

Direct Numerical Simulation of Seawater Desalination Based on Ion Concentration Polarization.

The problem of water shortage needs to be solved urgently. The membrane-embedded microchannel structure based on the ion concentration polarization (ICP) desalination effect is a potential portable desalination device with low energy consumption and high efficiency. The electroosmotic flow in the microchannel of the cation exchange membrane and the desalination effect of the system are numerically analyzed. The results show that when the horizontal electric field intensity is 2 kV/m and the transmembrane voltage is 400 mV, the desalting efficiency reaches 97.3%. When the electric field strength increases to 20 kV/m, the desalination efficiency is reduced by 2%. In terms of fluid motion, under the action of the transmembrane voltage, two reverse eddy currents are formed on the surface of the membrane due to the opposite electric field and pressure difference on both sides of the membrane, forming a pumping effect. The electromotive force in the channel exhibits significant pressure-flow characteristics with a slip boundary at a speed approximately six times that of a non-membrane microchannel.

Detached eddy simulation of a closely running lorry platoon

In recent years, the concept of autonomous road vehicles has gained a great deal of technical respectability, with expected fuel benefits arising from running vehicles closely in platoons. However, the aerodynamics of such vehicles travelling in close proximity is still not understood. This paper presents for the first time a detailed study of drag benefits and the flow structure around a platoon of high-sided lorries, through conducting Delayed Detached Eddy Simulations (DDES). The lorry surface pressure and slipstream flow characteristics show good agreement with experimental data. Drag reductions of up to 70% have been observed for all trailing lorries in the platoon. Analysis of the flow field indicated highly turbulent regions on the top and sides of trailing lorries. Turbulent kinetic energy and Reynolds stresses were found to concentrate at the connection region between lorry cab and box. Spectral analysis of the side forces identified oscillating behaviour on each lorry in the platoon due to strong vortex shedding, suggesting that platooning lorries are potentially more likely to develop lateral instabilities than an isolated lorry. The study indicates that autonomous vehicle developers and operators should consider the significant drag reduction benefits of platooning against the risk associated with potential lateral instabilities.