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Turbulent drag reduction by passive mechanisms

Nature volume 388, pages 753–755 (1997)Cite this article

Abstract

In many situations involving flows of high Reynolds number (where inertial forces dominate over viscous forces), such as aircraft flight and the pipeline transportation of fuels, turbulent drag is an important factor limiting performance. This has led to an extensive search for both active and passive methods for drag reduction1. Here we report the results of a series of wind-tunnel experiments that demonstrate a passive means of effectively controlling turbulence in channel flow. Our approach involves the introduction of specified patterns of protrusions on the confining walls, which interact with the coherent, energy-bearing eddy structures in the wall region, and so influence the rate at which energy is dissipated in the turbulent flow. We show that relatively small changes in the arrangement of these protrusions can alter the response of the system from one of drag decrease to increased mixing (drag enhancement).

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Figure 1: a, Plan view of the floor of the channel used in these experiments.
Figure 2: Plot of friction coefficient Cf (=2u*2/U02) against Reynolds number Re (=U02h/ν).

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Acknowledgements

We thank E. Levich for help in the initiation of the experiment; B.Knight for many discussions; M. Rajee for his contribution until he left in January 1996; R. Handler and D.Goldstein for calculations; U. Fisher (Ormat Industries) for preparation of the patterned materials; and Y. Bronicki for support and encouragement. This work was done in the framework of a project initiated and supported by Orlev Scientific/Ormat Industries Ltd, Yavne, Israel. Experimental facilities were provided under an agreement with Brown University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orlev Scientific/Ormat Industries, PO Box 68, 70650, Yavne, Israel

    L. Sirovich & S. Karlsson

  2. The Division of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, 02912, Rhode Island, USA

    L. Sirovich & S. Karlsson

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  1. L. Sirovich
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  2. S. Karlsson
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Correspondence to L. Sirovich.

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Sirovich, L., Karlsson, S. Turbulent drag reduction by passive mechanisms. Nature 388, 753–755 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1038/41966

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