DNS of heat transfer reduction in viscoelastic turbulent channel flows

A direct numerical simulation (DNS) of viscoelastic turbulent channel flow with the FENE-P model was carried out to investigate turbulent heat transfer mechanism of polymer drag-reduced flows. The configuration was a fully-developed turbulent channel flow with uniform heat flux imposed on both walls. The temperature was considered as a passive scalar. The Reynolds number based on the friction velocity (ut) and channel half height (d) is 125 and Prandtl number is 5. Consistently with the previous experimental observations, the present DNS results show that the heat-transfer coefficient was reduced at a rate faster than the accompanying drag reduction rate. Statistical quantities such as root-mean-square temperature fluctuations and turbulent heat fluxes were obtained and compared with those of a Newtonian fluid flow. Budget terms of the turbulent heat fluxes were also presented.