First coherent structure in elasto-inertial turbulence

Abstract

Two-dimensional channel flow simulations of FENE-P (finitely extensible nonlinear elastic-Peterlin) fluid in the elasto-inertial turbulence (EIT) regime reveal distinct regimes ranging from chaos to a steady traveling wave which takes the form of an arrowhead structure. This coherent structure provides insights into the polymer/flow interactions driving EIT. A set of controlled numerical experiments and the study of transfer between elastic and turbulent kinetic energies highlight the role of small- and large-scale dynamics in the self-sustaining cycle of chaos in EIT flows.