On the prediction of riblet performance with engineering turbulence models

The paper reports the outcome of a numerical study of fully developed flow through a plane channel composed of ribleted surfaces adopting a two-equation turbulence model to describe turbulent mixing. Three families of riblets have been examined: idealized blade-type, V-groove and a novel U-form that, according to computations, achieves a superior performance to that of the commercial V-groove configuration. The maximum drag reduction attained for any particular geometry is broadly in accord with experiment though this optimum occurs for considerably larger riblet heights than measurements indicate. Further explorations bring out a substantial sensitivity in the level of drag reduction to the channel Reynolds number below values of 15 000 as well as to the thickness of the blade riblet. The latter is in accord with the trends of very recent, independent experimental studies.Possible shortcomings in the model of turbulence are discussed particularly with reference to the absence of any turbulence-driven secondary motions when an isotropic turbulent viscosity is adopted. For illustration, results are obtained for the case where a stress transport turbulence model is adopted above the riblet crests, an elaboration that leads to the formation of a plausible secondary motion sweeping high momentum fluid towards the wall close to the riblet and thereby raising momentum transport.Nomenclature c _f Skin friction coefficient - c _f Skin friction coefficient in smooth channel at the same Reynolds number - k Turbulent kinetic energy - K ⁺ k/ _w - h Riblet height - S Riblet width - H Half height of channel - Re Reynolds number = volume flow/unit width/ - Modified turbulent Reynolds number - R _t turbulent Reynolds numberk ²/ - P _k Shear production rate ofk, _t (U _i /x _j + U _j /x _i ) U _i /x _j - dP/dz Streamwise static pressure gradient - U _i Mean velocity vector (tensor notation) - U Friction velocity, _w/ where _w=–H dP/dz - W Mean velocity - W _b Bulk mean velocity through channel - y ⁺ yU /v. Unless otherwise stated, origin is at wall on trough plane of symmetry - Kinematic viscosity - _t Turbulent kinematic viscosity - Turbulence energy dissipation rate - Modified dissipation rate – 2(k ^1/2/x _j )² - Density - _k , Effective turbulent Prandtl numbers for diffusion ofk and