Analysis of Surface Drag Reduction Characteristics of Non-Smooth Jet Coupled Structures

To enhance the service life of shipping equipment and minimize surface wear, this study employs biomimetic principles, integrating fitted structures with jet dynamics to model three configurations: non-smooth structures, single jet structures, and non-smooth jet-coupled structures. We utilized the SST k-ω turbulence model for numerical simulations to investigate the drag reduction characteristics of these structural models. By varying the jet angle and speed, we analyzed the changes in viscous resistance, pressure differential resistance, and drag reduction rates at the wall surface. Furthermore, the mechanisms of compressive stress, velocity fields, vortex structures, and shear stress on drag-reducing surfaces were elucidated, revealing how these factors contribute to drag reduction in non-smooth jet-coupled structures. The results indicate that the non-smooth jet-coupled structure exhibits superior drag reduction performance at a main flow field velocity of 20 m/s. As the jet velocity increases, the viscous drag on the surface of the non-smooth jet-coupled structure decreases, while the pressure differential drag increases. Conversely, variations in the jet angle have a minimal effect on viscous drag but lead to a reduction in pressure differential drag. Specifically, when the jet velocity is set at 1 m/s, and the jet angle is 60°, the drag reduction achieved by the non-smooth jet-coupled structure peaks at 7.48%. Additionally, the non-smooth jet-coupled structure features a larger area characterized by low shear stress, along with an increased boundary layer thickness at the bottom; this configuration effectively reduces surface velocity and consequent viscous drag.