A Computational Analysis Framework for Drag Reduction and Heat Transfer Enhancement in Grooved Hydrophobic Bluff Body Configurations
Keywords:
Hydrophobic surfaces, Bluff bodies, Drag reduction, Heat transfer enhancementAbstract
The interaction between fluid flow, surface morphology, and wettability plays a critical role in determining aerodynamic drag and thermal transport characteristics in bluff body systems. This study presents a comprehensive computational framework to evaluate the combined effects of grooved surface textures and hydrophobic coatings on drag reduction and heat transfer enhancement. By integrating turbulence modeling, surface slip dynamics, and energy transport equations, the framework captures multi-scale interactions governing flow separation, vortex shedding, and boundary layer behavior. Large Eddy Simulation (LES) coupled with modified wall boundary conditions is employed to simulate turbulent flow regimes over grooved hydrophobic bluff bodies. The analysis reveals that the synergistic interaction of surface grooves and hydrophobicity significantly alters near-wall velocity gradients, reduces skin-friction drag, and enhances convective heat transfer under specific Reynolds number ranges. The findings demonstrate that groove geometry and hydrophobic slip length are critical parameters influencing performance outcomes. This work contributes a scalable and adaptable modeling architecture for optimizing bluff body designs in engineering applications such as heat exchangers, underwater vehicles, and aerodynamic structures.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr. Luthfi Anwar, Dr. Puspita Dewi (Author)
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