Direct numerical simulation of low-Prandtl number turbulent convection above a wavy wall

Turbulent forced convection is investigated by Direct Numerical Simulation in a channel with one sinusoidal wavy wall and one flat wall. Fluid flow and heat transfer are periodically fully developed, the simulated Reynolds number of the bulk velocity and the hydraulic diameter is Re = 18, 880 while three Prandtl numbers are considered, i.e. Pr = 0.025, Pr = 0.2, and Pr = 0.71. The fluid flow is characterized by separation, reattachment and a shear layer downstream the wave peak, these are conditions relevant for turbulent heat transfer and passive scalar transport applications. In the range of Péclet numbers investigated, the most important heat transfer mechanism is by mean flow advection. Accordingly, the peak heat transfer region is in the upslope part of the domain. The separation bubble instead acts as a barrier to convection and the heat transfer rate is minimum close to separation. An a priori analysis is performed in order to assess the accuracy of turbulent heat transfer models based on the Generalized Gradient Diffusion Hypothesis.