Capabilities and limitations of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional numerical methods in modeling the fluid flow in sudden expansion microchannels (original) (raw)
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Microfluidics and Nanofluidics, 2012
This article involves computational and experimental investigations into the flow of a Newtonian fluid through a sudden expansion microchannel consisting of a rectangular block. The results elucidate that the Reynolds number and aspect ratio has a significant impact on the sequence of vortex growth downstream of the expansion channel. The experimental flow visualization results are found to be in good agreement with the numerical predictions of the local fluid dynamics. The simulation results also draw the Re-c (Reynolds number-aspect ratio) flow pattern map to classify how the flow structures vary with Reynolds number, for example, the resulting flow structures can be classified as five types progressively. The findings in this study provide designers with valuable guidelines for improving the design and operation of the proposed microfluidic rectifier.
ASEAN Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2019
A two-dimensional domain of multiphase flow analyses in this study using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) model was carried out in order to simulate and predict the fluid flows and mixing performance of two miscible liquids in various microchannel configurations. The various microchannels configurations were designed accordingly and the simulation was carried out based on the justified conditions, assumptions and considerations by using the commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, FLUENT. The grid type and size of the computational domain were verified in terms of stability by performing the grid independence analysis. The result showed that static mixing would be possible to achieve in various configurations of microchannels, however, the simulation results predicted that it appeared to be more efficient in complex and retrofitted microchannels. It showed the potential to promote and enhance chaotic advection, compositions distribution, and diffusivity as compared to basic microchannels that are mostly dependent only on the injection focus.
Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 2003
Experimental observations of liquid microchannel flows are reviewed and results of computer experiments concerning channel entrance, wall slip, non-Newtonian fluid, surface roughness, viscous dissipation and turbulence effects on the friction factor are discussed. The experimental findings are classified into three groups. Group I emphasizes 'flow instabilities' and group II points out 'viscosity changes' as the causes of deviations from the conventional flow theory for macrochannels. Group III caters to studies that did not detect any measurable differences between micro- and macroscale fluid flow behaviors. Based on numerical friction factor analyses, the entrance effect should be taken into account for any microfluidic system. It is a function of channel length, aspect ratio and the Reynolds number. Non-Newtonian fluid flow effects are expected to be important for polymeric liquids and particle suspension flows. The wall slip effect is negligible for liquid flows in microconduits. Significant surface roughness effects are a function of the Darcy number, the Reynolds number and cross-sectional configurations. For relatively low Reynolds numbers, Re < 2000, onset to turbulence has to be considered important because of possible geometric non-uniformities, e.g., a contraction and/or bend at the inlet to the microchannel. Channel-size effect on viscous dissipation turns out to be important for conduits with Dh < 100 µm.
A simple approach for modelling flow in a microchannel
Proceedings of …, 2001
A study of pressure-driven liquid flow in microchannels is presented with the aim of providing a simple model for microfluidics. The paper presents the initial research effort, which covers a survey of CFD packages, the general principles for fluid dynamics, and a simple model of ...
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Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) has been widely employed by investigators to simulate Taylor flow in microchannels. High-resolution images captured by numerical techniques reveal significant details of an ultra-thin liquid film around the gas bubble. The interface between the liquid and the gas phases is a decisive factor in order to determine the flow pattern, the gas bubble profile, the bubble length–separation distance, the slug length, and so forth. Since the thickness of the liquid film is on the order of 10-15 μm for low capillary number flows, the mesh generation requires careful modeling to capture it and transport phenomena, such as momentum and heat. The present study is to develop a model of a transient Taylor flow in a two-dimensional microchannel using commercial ANSYS Fluent software. The Volume of Fluid (VoF) method was employed to simulate the interface between two phases, i.e., air and water. A comprehensive grid study was carried out to identify a sufficiently f...
Developing of laminar fluid flow in rectangular microchannels
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An engineering analysis of transient laminar flows in long microchannels
The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2013
An engineering model of a transient laminar flow from a pressurised vessel through a long microchannel under a condition of a rapid valve opening at a channel outlet is developed. A valve at the channel outlet, which is opening with a given speed, is modelled as a time-dependent boundary condition. Transient flows are investigated numerically by the method of characteristics. The calculations show that variations of pressure and velocity distributions along the channel over time, caused by a transient flow regime, decrease with a decrease in the channel diameter and the channel length, an increase in the time of valve opening and an increase in the fluid viscosity.
SpringerReference, 2011
Fluid mechanics in small channels, i.e. channels of micrometer size, is dominated by surface effects and often exhibits striking differences of flow characteristics when compared with macro scale. One of important microfluidic problems is flow destabilization and occurrence laminarturbulent transition. In this paper we describe our experimental and numerical attempts to understand growth of flow instabilities and development of turbulent structures in small channels. In the first configuration flow of water through 1mm long and 0.4mm high microchannel formed between two planes is investigated varying Reynolds number from 1000 to 6770. Fluorescent traces are used for flow visualization and microPIV acquisition of temporary velocity fields. The microPIV data are used to evaluate turbulent flow characteristics. Our experimental study shows that destabilization of flow in such a micro-channel does not necessarily occurs when it is usually expected. Nearly laminar flow structure is present within the channel even for the highest investigated flow Reynolds number. These findings are confirmed by numerical simulation performed using finite volume code. On the other hand it appears possible to achieve unstable flow pattern even for quite low Reynolds number flow regime by proper modification of the channel walls. In the second experimental and numerical study we demonstrate that appropriately chosen wall waviness of the micro-channel may lead to flow destabilization already at quite low flow Reynolds number (~100).
2009 International Conference on Electronic Packaging Technology & High Density Packaging, 2009
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Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2009
One-dimensional and two-dimensional models for microchannel flow with noncontinuum (slip-flow) boundary conditions have been presented here. This study presents an efficient numerical procedure using pressure-correction-based iterative SIMPLE algorithm with QUICK scheme in convective terms to simulate a steady incompressible two-dimensional flow through a microchannel. In the present work, the slip flow of liquid through a microchannel has been modeled using a slip length assumption instead of using conventional Maxwell's slip flow model, which essentially utilizes the molecular mean free path concept. The models developed; following this approach lend an insight into the physics of liquid flow through microchannels.