Effects of Junction Angle and Viscosity Ratio on Droplet Formation in Microfluidic Cross-Junction

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ich-Long Ngo ◽  
Sang Woo Joo ◽  
Chan Byon

This study describes the dynamic behaviors of droplet formation in microfluidic cross-junction devices (MFCDs) based on a two-dimensional numerical model using the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The effects of the junction angle (ϕ = 30 to 90 deg) between the main and side channels and the viscosity ratios (β = 10−5 to 2.0) are considered. The numerical results indicate that the active area for droplet formation in the alternating digitized pattern formation (ADPF) generally increases with the decrease of ϕ at the same water fraction (wf). A junction angle of around 60 deg was predicted as the most efficient angle at which alternating droplets are still formed at lower capillary numbers (Ca). In addition, the droplet size in ADPF decreases as ϕ increases with the same flow conditions. When ϕ is less than 90 deg and prior to approaching the equilibrium state, there always exists a periodic deviation in the relative distance between droplets. The frequency of droplet generation in ADPF decreases as ϕ decreases, and it decreases more quickly when ϕ is less than 60 deg. In addition, the throughput of MFCDs can be controlled effectively as a function of ϕ, wf, and Ca. The droplet formation in MFCDs depends significantly on the viscosity ratio β, and the ADPF becomes a jetting formation (JF) when β is greater than unity. Furthermore, the droplet size in ADPF decreases with the increase of β. The understanding of droplet formation in MFCDs is very useful for many applications, such as nanoparticle synthesis with different concentrations, hydrogel bead generation, or cell transplantation in biomedical therapy.

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 1235-1256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haihu Liu ◽  
Yonghao Zhang

AbstractUsing the lattice Boltzmann multiphase model, numerical simulations have been performed to understand the dynamics of droplet formation in a microfluidic cross-junction. The influence of capillary number, flow rate ratio, viscosity ratio, and viscosity of the continuous phase on droplet formation has been systematically studied over a wide range of capillary numbers. Two different regimes, namely the squeezinglike regime and the dripping regime, are clearly identified with the transition occurring at a critical capillary number Cacr. Generally, large flow rate ratio is expected to produce big droplets, while increasing capillary number will reduce droplet size. In the squeezing-like regime (Ca ≤ Cacr), droplet breakup process is dominated by the squeezing pressure and the viscous force; while in the dripping regime (Ca ≤ Cacr), the viscous force is dominant and the droplet size becomes independent of the flow rate ratio as the capillary number increases. In addition, the droplet size weakly depends on the viscosity ratio in both regimes and decreases when the viscosity of the continuous phase increases. Finally, a scaling law is established to predict the droplet size.


1996 ◽  
Vol 118 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Zhang ◽  
D. A. Zumbrunnen

A numerical model has been developed of two-dimensional chaotic mixing of immiscieble Newtonian fluids. A computationally efficient numerical methodology is employed which is well-suited to complex, evolving interfaces. Mixing was confined to a rectangular cavity with periodically driven upper and lower surfaces. Interfacial forces and the transient flow fields in each phase were considered to assess specifically the influences on interfacial morphology of interfacial tension and phase viscosity ratio under creeping flow conditions. Predicted morphologies are compared to those of solidified specimens synthesized by chaotic mixing in companion studies.


Author(s):  
Muhammad Irfan ◽  
Imran Shah ◽  
Usama M Niazi ◽  
Muhsin Ali ◽  
Sadaqat Ali ◽  
...  

Fluid mixing in lab-on-a-chip devices at laminar flow conditions result in a low mixing index. The reason is dominant diffusion over the convection process. The mixing index can be improved by certain changes in the micromixer structural design like introducing obstacles in the path of fluid flow. These obstacles will make dominant the advection process over the diffusion process. The main contribution of this work is based on proposing the novel hybrid type micromixer design for enhancing the mixing quality. Three non-aligned M-type and non-aligned M-type with obstacles passive type micromixers are analyzed by COMSOL5.5. These designs are hybrid types because different structural changes are combined in a single design for mixing improvement. First of all the straight non-aligned inlets, M-type passive micromixer (SMTM) is analyzed. It is observed that mixing performance is improved because of M-shaped mixing units and non-aligned inlets. This improvement is deemed to be not enough so different shaped obstacles are introduced in the micromixer design. These designs based on obstacles are named horizontal rectangular M-type micromixer, square M-type micromixer, and vertical rectangular M-type micromixer. The mixing index for SMTM, square M-type micromixer, horizontal rectangular M-type micromixer, and vertical rectangular M-type micromixer at Reynolds number Re = 60 is respectively given by 71.1%, 83.21%, 84.45%, and 89.99%. The mixing index of vertical rectangular M-type micromixer was 59.34% − 87.65% for Re = 0.5–100. Vertical rectangular M-type micromixer is concluded with the better-mixing capability design among the proposed ones. Based on these simulation results, the vertical rectangular M-type micromixer design can be utilized for mixing purposes in biomedical applications like nanoparticle synthesis and biomedical sample preparation for drug delivery.


Author(s):  
L. Gallar ◽  
I. Tzagarakis ◽  
V. Pachidis ◽  
R. Singh

After a shaft failure the compression system of a gas turbine is likely to surge due to the heavy vibrations induced on the engine after the breakage. Unlike at any other conditions of operation, compressor surge during a shaft over-speed event is regarded as desirable as it limits the air flow across the engine and hence the power available to accelerate the free turbine. It is for this reason that the proper prediction of the engine performance during a shaft over-speed event claims for an accurate modelling of the compressor operation at reverse flow conditions. The present study investigates the ability of the existent two dimensional algorithms to simulate the compressor performance in backflow conditions. Results for a three stage axial compressor at reverse flow were produced and compared against stage by stage experimental data published by Gamache. The research shows that due to the strong radial fluxes present over the blades, two dimensional approaches are inadequate to provide satisfactory results. Three dimensional effects and inaccuracies are accounted for by the introduction of a correction parameter that is a measure of the pressure loss across the blades. Such parameter is tailored for rotors and stators and enables the satisfactory agreement between calculations and experiments in a stage by stage basis. The paper concludes with the comparison of the numerical results with the experimental data supplied by Day on a four stage axial compressor.


Author(s):  
Anna Glotko ◽  
Vitalii Belikov ◽  
Natalia Borisova ◽  
Ekaterina Vasil`eva ◽  
Aleksey Rumjancev

Introduction. A problem area of the Volga river between the Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power station and the city of Nizhny Novgorod has been surveyed, where unfavourable conditions for navigation, power generation, and safe living in the downstream are formed as a result of the landing level. The only solution to the problem is construction of a low-head hydraulic system (NNGU) that will reduce intensity of relief re-formations in the downstream of the Nizhny Novgorod hydraulic system and stop lowering of the bottom and level marks in this area. Purpose of this research is to study processes that occur upstream and downstream from the site of the facility to identify hazardous trends and develop practical solutions to minimize negative impacts; as well as a review of mathematical models conducted in this area for improving navigation conditions. Materials and methods. Materials of previous researches on this subject, pre-design engineering surveys and layout drawings of the designed hydraulic system are used. The researches have been performed with numerical methods using Stream 2D software package that is based on the two-dimensional differential equation Saint-Venant system. Options for low-flow conditions are considered, taking into account passing of the Nizhny Novgorod hydroelectric power station, as well as rare floods. Results. Plans for distribution of velocity modules and vectors are created, which show that construction of the low-pressure hydraulic system results in decrease in slopes and velocities of water in the problem area of the Volga-Kama cascade, as a result of which intensity of bottom deformations decreases. Rare flow passage demonstrated that difference in pools is insignificant, while, at the same time, flow of water along the left-bank floodplain passes more than believed before. Calculations of low-flow conditions demonstrated a number of deficiencies in the design, which are associated with insufficient throughput and uneven distribution of flow rates in the discharge area of the waterfront. Conclusion The results demonstrated a practical importance of using mathematical simulation with numerical methods in a two-dimensional formulation, which allow us to consider processes in more detailed manner and change the hydraulic system design in a timely manner.


1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-71
Author(s):  
Y. Ouellet ◽  
A. Khelifa ◽  
J.-F. Bellemare

A numerical study based on a two-dimensional finite element model has been conducted to analyze flow conditions associated with different possible designs for the reopening of Havre aux Basques lagoon, located in Îles de la Madeleine, in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. More specifically, the study has been done to better define the depth and geometry of the future channel as well as its orientation with regard to tidal flows within the inlet and the lagoon. Results obtained from the model have been compared and analyzed to put forward some recommendations about choice of a design insuring the stability of the inlet with tidal flows. Key words: numerical model, finite element, lagoon, reopening, Havre aux Basques, Îles de la Madeleine.


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