Experimental and numerical study on the performance index of mixing for low aspect ratio serpentine microchannels

Pirdavari, Pooria1; Pourfattah, Farzad2; Tran, Huy1; Wang, Lian-Ping2; He, Ziwen1; Pack, Min Y.1

2024-09-01

10.1088/2631-8695/ad7198

ENGINEERING RESEARCH EXPRESS   影响因子和分区

2631-8695

In this work, the effect of a range of Dean numbers (De) varying from 0.01-70 on low aspect ratio (AR = 0.05-0.2) serpentine microfluidic devices was studied experimentally and numerically. It was observed that the AR, the number of circular bumps, and the angular positions of bumps transverse to the flow have a significant influence on the pressure drop and flow features (i.e., the position and shape of flow separation zones). Mixing was exclusively driven by diffusive mechanisms at low De values and at high De values, it was primarily induced by Dean vortices. The lowest mixing index (MI) was observed for De = 1 in all channel types, highlighting the transition region between the diffusion and Dean vortices-dominant mixing regimes. The MI was generally increased by increasing the AR of the channels. However, at high De, Dean vortices became strong enough to induce rapid mixing that was largely independent of the AR and bump placement. A dimensional performance index (PI) was defined as a function of the MI and the pressure drop per unit length. Distinct flow patterns arising from various positioning of bumps resulted in significant variations in the MI and PI values, with different dependencies on De. This underscored the importance of bump positioning based on the operational De range to optimize the mixing performance. Despite minor deviations between the designed and fabricated channels, the use of 3D-printed molds proved effective even at scales close to the resolution of the printer, resulting in mixing patterns consistent with the designed channels. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing serpentine microchannels for efficient mixing while considering the trade-offs between enhanced mixing and increased pressure drop.

experimental numerical mixing aspect ratio micromixer microfluidics

ESCI

英语

其他

Engineering

Engineering, Multidisciplinary

WOS:001307322500001

IOP Publishing Ltd

Web of Science

1.Baylor Univ, Dept Mech Engn, One Bear Pl 97356, Waco, TX 76798 USA
2.Southern Univ Sci & Technol, 1088 Xueyuan Ave, Shenzhen 518055, Peoples R China

Pirdavari, Pooria,Pourfattah, Farzad,Tran, Huy,et al. Experimental and numerical study on the performance index of mixing for low aspect ratio serpentine microchannels[J]. ENGINEERING RESEARCH EXPRESS,2024,6(3).

Pirdavari, Pooria,Pourfattah, Farzad,Tran, Huy,Wang, Lian-Ping,He, Ziwen,&Pack, Min Y..(2024).Experimental and numerical study on the performance index of mixing for low aspect ratio serpentine microchannels.ENGINEERING RESEARCH EXPRESS,6(3).

Pirdavari, Pooria,et al."Experimental and numerical study on the performance index of mixing for low aspect ratio serpentine microchannels".ENGINEERING RESEARCH EXPRESS 6.3(2024).