Energy & Sustainability
79
Keywords
Turbulence, drag reduction
Expertise
Turbulent drag results in a significant increase in fuel
consumption and CO
2
emissions. Our understanding of
how air or water flows over surfaces leading to turbulent
drag allows us to come up with methods to suppress it
and make transport more energy efficient.
We have particular capabilities and expertise in
sophisticated hot wire and particle image velocimetry
(
PIV) measurement techniques and processing methods
to study flows and turbulence mechanisms. We have also
developed direct numerical simulation computer codes
to predict turbulent flows over unmodified, compliant and
ribletted surfaces.
A 1% reduction in drag on the world’s commercial
passenger aircraft would reduce CO
2
emissions by
nine million tons per year.
Capabilities and facilities
•
Wind tunnels
•
Water flume
• 3
D particle image velocimetry (PIV) system
•
Hot wire anemometry instrumentation
•
Direct numerical simulation software.
6.2
Turbulent drag reduction
For further information
on all our specialist
centres, facilities and
laboratories
go to page
179
