Numerical simulation of turbulent channel flow with particle-adhered riblet surfaces

Abstract

Numerical simulations of particle laden and fully developed turbulent channel flows with rectangular riblet were performed to investigate the influence of particle adhesion on the drag reduction effect. We employed the one-way coupling method: the flow affects the particle, but the particle does not affect the flow. We obtained particle adhesion distribution on the riblet and grooves. Most of the particles adhered to the top wall and upper half side wall surface of the riblets owing to the rotating flow motion in the groove. The riblet shape then was modified based on the particle adhesion distribution and numerical simulation of the turbulent channel flow over the particle-adhered riblet was performed. The results show that the skin-friction drag reduction effect decreases (or the drag increases) as compared with that of in the initial riblet case.