This research project investigates the structure and dynamics of wall-bounded turbulence in adverse and favorable pressure gradient (APG and FPG) turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) using direct numerical simulation (DNS).
An APG is a pressure gradient that decelerates the flow, potentially leading to flow separation from the aerodynamic surface, whereas an FPG accelerates the flow, increasing skin friction drag. The overall research goal is to develop and improve knowledge and theory that help describe and model APG/FPG TBLs.
The long-term objectives of this research are to revolutionise the design of energy generation and transport platforms that operate in APG and FPG environments and to develop active flow control systems that increase the operational envelope.
This will improve energy efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions for the flow over aircraft wings, wind turbine blades, and any form of turbomachinery. Improvements in the performance of such systems will result in more efficient and cleaner power generation, reduced fuel usage, and lower CO2 emissions.
These objectives can only be fulfilled with the help of very detailed flow data obtained numerically with DNS using HPC.
Istanbul Technical University, Turkey.