Thrust Generation by Shark Denticles

Abstract

DNS is performed for flow separation over a bump in a turbulent channel. Comparisons are made between a smooth bump configuration and one where the lee side is covered with replicas of complete shark denticles. As flow over the bump is under an adverse pressure gradient (APG), a reversed pore flow (RPF) is formed in the porous cavities underneath the crowns of the denticle array. Remarkable thrust is generated by the RPF as denticle necks accelerate the fluid passing between them in the upstream streamwise direction. Several geometrical features of shark denticle, including some that had not previously been considered hydrodynamically functional, are identified to form an anisotropic permeable porous media that enables and sustains the RPF and thrust generation. The RPF is activated by the APG before massive flow reversal. The results indicate a proactive, on-demand drag reduction mechanism that leverages and transforms the APG into a favorable outcome.