The effect of riblets in rectangular duct flow

Much is known about the benefits of surface structures which mimic the riblets found on the skin of fast swimming sharks. Structures have been fabricated for study and application which replicate and improve upon the natural shape of the shark skin riblets, providing a maximum drag reduction of nearly 10% in external turbulent fluid flow. Mechanisms of fluid drag in turbulent flow and riblet-drag reduction theories from experiment and simulation are discussed. A brief review of riblet performance studies is given, and optimal riblet geometries are defined for external flow. A discussion of the structure of internal turbulent fluid flow is provided, and existing data for riblet drag reduction benefit is presented. A flow cell for studying riblet effects in internal rectangular duct flow is discussed, and data collected using several riblet surfaces fabricated for the flow cell is presented and analyzed. A discussion of the effects of the riblets on fluid flow is given, and conclusions are drawn about the possible benefits of riblets in internal fluid flow.