Spatial Limit of CFD Model at Nanometer Scale Geometry: Part I: Capillary Flow
Numerical simulation using computational fluid dynamics has been studied broadly in various fields of applications. Along with the advancement in new technology especially those employing micro or nanoscale geometries or lab-on-chip devices, it is important to understand the efficiency of such numerical models at small geometrical scales. To access any potential error in numerical simulation using CFD, in the present work we report the investigation of capillary driven passive flow inside a channel of varying geometry. The potential error in the results of simulation at a very small scale is accessed by comparing it with the results of theoretical analysis. Hence, establishes a spatial limit of the continuum model for simulation in related applications. This gives new insight to the further study on CFD at nanometers scale geometry.