Drag reduction using velocity control in Taylor-Couette flows

Direct numerical simulation of Taylor-Couette flow subject to opposition control is investigated at Reynolds number (Re) of 3000. The idea is to impose exact opposite velocities of the detection plane at the walls to counteract near-wall stream-wise vortices. In this study, various velocity control strategies, namely wall-normal, axial, combined and blowing only, have been investigated from the viewpoint of skin-friction drag reduction. Further, the effects of skipping spatial points in azimuthal and axial directions and in time have been investigated from a drag reduction point of view. Based on the emergence of a virtual wall that hinders the vertical transport of momentum (i.e. on reduction of Reynolds shear stress production as well as sweep & ejection events), flow physics has been explained via statistical analysis of fluctuations, Reynolds shear stresses, and near-wall coherent structures. The spatial density of near-wall vortical structures shows a marked reduction, followed by quadrant contribution analysis of Reynolds shear stresses reveals a decrease in ejection and sweep events, leading to reduced production of Reynolds shear stresses and skin-friction drag.