Fig. 12. Comparison of simulation results with experimental data for a flow rate of water = Ql=15 ml/hr and a flow rate of air = Qg =3 ml/hr.

Abstract

This paper demonstrates that the Volume of Fluid (TruVOF) method in FLOW-3D (a general purpose CFD software) is an effective tool for studying droplet dynamics and mixing in microfluidic devices. The first example studied is a T-junction where flow patterns for both droplet generation and passive mixing are analyzed. The second example studied is a co-flowing device where the formation and breakup of bubbles is simulated. The effect of viscosity on bubble formation is also analyzed. For a T-junction the bubble size is corroborated with experimental data. Both the bubble size and frequency are studied and corroborated with experimental data for a co-flowing device. The third example studied is the electrowetting phenomenon observed in a small water droplet resting on a dielectric material. The steady-state contact angle is plotted against the voltage applied. The results are compared with both the Young-Lippmann curve and experimental results. 

이 논문은 FLOW-3D (범용 CFD 소프트웨어)의 유체 부피 (TruVOF) 방법이 미세 유체 장치에서 액적 역학 및 혼합을 연구하는데 효과적인 도구임을 보여줍니다.

연구된 첫 번째 예는 액적 생성 및 수동 혼합에 대한 흐름 패턴이 분석되는 T- 접합입니다. 연구된 두 번째 예는 기포의 형성 및 분해가 시뮬레이션 되는 동시 유동 장치입니다.

기포 형성에 대한 점도의 영향도 분석됩니다. T 접합의 경우 기포 크기는 실험 데이터로 확증됩니다. 기포 크기와 빈도 모두 공동 유동 장치에 대한 실험 데이터로 연구되고 확증됩니다.

연구된 세 번째 예는 유전 물질 위에 놓인 작은 물방울에서 관찰 된 전기 습윤 현상입니다. 정상 상태 접촉각은 적용된 전압에 대해 플롯됩니다. 결과는 Young-Lippmann 곡선 및 실험 결과와 비교됩니다.

Simulation of Droplet Dynamics and Mixing in Microfluidic Devices using a VOF-Based Method Fig 1
Simulation of Droplet Dynamics and Mixing in Microfluidic Devices using a VOF-Based Method Fig 1
Simulation of Droplet Dynamics and Mixing in Microfluidic Devices using a VOF-Based Method Fig 2
Simulation of Droplet Dynamics and Mixing in Microfluidic Devices using a VOF-Based Method Fig 2

References

Formation of bubbles in a simple co-flowing micro-channel

SaveAlertResearch FeedFormation of droplets and bubbles in a microfluidic T-junction-scaling and mechanism of break-up.

SaveAlertResearch FeedCreating, transporting, cutting, and merging liquid droplets by electrowetting-based actuation for digital microfluidic circuits,

SaveAlertResearch FeedFLOW DEVELOPMENT OF CO-FLOWING STREAMS IN RECTANGULAR MICRO-CHANNELS

SaveAlertResearch FeedA microfluidic system for controlling reaction networks in time.

SaveAlertResearch FeedElectrowetting: from basics to applications

SaveAlertResearch FeedVolume of fluid (VOF) method for the dynamics of free boundaries

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