DNS of velocity and thermal fields in turbulent channel flow with transverse-rib roughness

A detailed knowledge of both velocity and thermal fields in wall turbulence disturbed by a row of ribs on the wall is important for clarifying the chief factors of fluid and thermal dynamics related to the control of heat transfer. In this study, in order to elucidate the effects of roughness on the statistical quantities in the velocity and thermal fields, direct numerical simulations (DNS) of heat transfer in turbulent channel flows with transverse-rib roughness have been performed by varying their spacing, width and height, in which the turbulent heat transfer with k-type and d-type roughness walls are simulated. It is found that since turbulent mixing is promoted by arranging ribs, the distributions of mean velocity and temperature become markedly asymmetric. Systematic variations of secondary flow patterns between ribs are clearly identified. The best heat transfer performance is found to be obtained with the k-type roughness. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.