Nonasymptotic elastoinertial turbulence for asymptotic drag reduction

Abstract

Polymer-induced drag reduction in turbulent flow is bounded by a universal upper limit with increasing fluid elasticity. For decades, efforts to understand this maximum drag reduction asymptote have focused on the search for an ultimate flow state whose dynamics is no longer influenced by polymer elasticity. Contrary to common assumption, this study shows that behind the converged mean flow, the underlying dynamics continues to evolve through distinct stages, with no sign of convergence.

Topics & Concepts