Heat and Momentum Transport in Self-Sustained Oscillatory Viscous Flows

Heat and momentum transport in-self-sustained oscillatory viscous flows is investigated by direct numerical simulation using the spectral element method. Above a critical Reynolds number, these flows bifurcate to a time-periodic, self-sustained oscillatory state. Traveling waves are observed, even at moderately low Reynolds numbers, inducing self-sustained oscillations that result in very well-mixed flows, which, in turn, lead to convective heat transfer augmentation. These oscillatory states are investigated and correlations between the time- and space-averaged Nusselt and Reynolds numbers are obtained. The transport phenomena of heat and momentum due to the oscillatory components of the flow are analyzed by looking at the phase portraits of velocity and temperature, investigating the behavior of the terms involving their fluctuations, as well as considering the correlation coefficients between the fluctuating components. Results are presented for laminar and transitional incompressible flows in communicating channels, composed of interrupted surfaces, leading to relatively thin thermal boundary layers that further contribute to heat transfer augmentation.