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The turbulence structure of drag-reduced boundary layer flow

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Abstract

The structure of turbulence in a drag-reduced flat-plate boundary layer flow has been studied with particle image velocimetry (PIV). Drag reduction was achieved by injection of a concentrated polymer solution through a spanwise slot along the test wall at a location upstream of the PIV measurement station. Planes of velocity were measured parallel to the wall (x–z plane), for a total of 30 planes across the thickness of the boundary layer. For increasing drag reduction, we found a significant modification of the near-wall structure of turbulence with a coarsening of the low-speed velocity streaks and a reduction in the number and strength of near-wall vortical structures.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank E. Shaqfeh, P. Moin, S. Lele, V. Terrapon, J. Paschkewitz and Y. Dubief for their invaluable insights into the problem of polymer drag reduction and M. Solomon and M. Islam for characterizing the polymer molecular weights. This work is sponsored by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Advanced Technology Office, Friction Drag Reduction Program, DARPA Order No. K042/31, K042/13, N115/00, issued by DARPA/CMO, Contract No. MDA972–01-C-0041.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-3032, USA

    C. M. White, V. S. R. Somandepalli & M. G. Mungal

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  1. C. M. White
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  2. V. S. R. Somandepalli
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  3. M. G. Mungal
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Correspondence to C. M. White.

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White, C.M., Somandepalli, V.S.R. & Mungal, M.G. The turbulence structure of drag-reduced boundary layer flow. Exp Fluids 36, 62–69 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0630-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00348-003-0630-0

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