Numerical simulations of the flow in a converging-diverging channel with control through a spanwise slot

The flow in a converging-diverging channel at Retτ = 180 is studied by Direct Numerical and Large Eddy Simulations. Continuous and pulsed jets are applied normally to the wall through a spanwise slot to delay the separation. The influence of the position is first analysed and it is shown that the control efficiency is closely linked to the location of the actuation within the channel. A parametric study on both the intensity and pulsating frequency for the optimal position shows that the separation can be drastically reduced and even vanishes with a proper choice of parameters. It is additionally reported that pulsed jets yield better results than continuous jets at an equivalent mass-flux. Moreover, low frequencies are shown to be more efficient than high frequencies. Aphysical analysis finally demonstrates that the efficiency of the low frequency pulsed jets is mainly due to the creation of spanwise structures, that does not occur in other cases.