Modulation of the regeneration cycle by neutrally buoyant finite-size particles

Direct numerical simulations of turbulent suspension flows are carried out with the force-coupling method in plane Couette and pressure-driven channel configurations. Dilute to moderately concentrated suspensions of neutrally buoyant finite-size spherical particles are considered when the Reynolds number is slightly above the laminar–turbulent transition. Tests performed with synthetic streaks, in both turbulent channel and Couette flows, show clearly that particles trigger the instability in channel flow whereas the plane Couette flow becomes laminar. Moreover, we have shown that particles have a pronounced impact on pressure-driven flow through a detailed temporal and spatial analysis whereas they have no significant impact on the plane Couette flow configuration. The substantial difference between the two flow configurations is related to the spatial preferential distribution of particles in the large-scale rolls (inactive motion) in Couette flow, whereas they are accumulated in the ejection (active motion) regions in pressure-driven flow. Through investigation of particle modification in two distinct flow configurations, we were able to show the specific response of turbulent structures and the modulation of the fundamental mechanisms composing the regeneration cycle in the buffer layer of the near-wall turbulence. Especially for pressure-driven flow, the particles enhance the lift-up and let it act continuously whereas the particles do not significantly alter the streak breakdown process. The reinforcement of the streamwise vortices is attributed to the vorticity stretching term by the wavy streaks. The smaller and more numerous wavy streaks enhance the vorticity stretching and consequently strengthen the circulation of large-scale streamwise vortices in suspension flow