Characterisation of Flow and Mass Transfer in Cross Shape and T-Shape Micromixers

Abstract

The understanding of physical phenomena such as flow behaviour and mass transfer performance is needed in order to develop appropriate micromixers for industrial or biomedical applications. In this work, CFD is used to characterize the flow and the liquid mixing quality in a micromixer as a function of the Reynolds number. Two micromixers are studied in steady flow conditions; they are based on two geometries, respectively T-shaped (⊤) and cross-type (+). Simulations allow, in the case of ⊤ micromixers, to chart the topology of the flow and to describe the evolution of species concentration downstream the crossing. The streamlines layout and the mixing quality curves reveal three characteristic types of flow previously reported in the literature, depending on Reynolds number: stratified, vortex and engulfment flows. In the case of cross-type micromixers, the structure of the flow is strongly three-dimensional and is characterized by symmetrical vortices in both output channels. The results show that the + shaped system can improve the mixing process in comparison with the micromixers having ⊤ geometry. The second part of the study is experimental. Two cells are constructed, for both geometries (T-shaped and cross) using square channels with 400 μm hydraulic diameter. In order to use particle image velocimetry (PIV), a system has been adapted to measure velocity fields for various channel plans at different channel depths. This allows observing the evolution of the flow and the vortices development along the microchannels. A second experimental technique, the electrochemical one involving microelectrodes implemented at several positions on the channel wall located near the crossing, has been used. The electrochemical method can locally characterize the formation of swirling flows. These two complementary experimental results will be analysed and a comparison with the CFD results will be performed.