DNS of the Turbulent Channel Flow of a Dilute Polymer Solution

A direct numerical simulation of the turbulent channel flow of a dilute polymer solution has been performed in order to compare its turbulence statistics with those obtained in a Newtonian channel flow. The viscoelastic flow has been simulated by solving the whole set of continuity, momentum and constitutive equations for the six independent components of the extra-stress tensor induced by polymer addition. The Finitely Extensible Nonlinear Elastic dumbbell model was adopted in order to simulate a non-linear modulus of elasticity and a finite extendibility of the polymer macromolecules. Simulations were carried out under the “narrow channel” assumption at a Reynolds number of 169 based on the channel half height and on the friction velocity; they showed a significant reduction in drag, dependent on the influence of the elastic properties of the chains. A qualitative comparison with experiments at a higher Reynolds number has shown that the model here adopted is capable of reproducing all the main features of the polymer solution flow. Analysis of the turbulence statistics suggests that a dilute polymer solution can affect the intensity of the streamwise vortices, leading to an increase in the spacing between low speed streaks and eventually to a turbulent shear stress reduction.