Drop breakup in a symmetric T-junction microchannel under electric field

Abstract

In the present study, the breakup process of drop in a symmetric T-junction microchannel is numerically investigated. A novel method base on imposing an electric field in the branches of the T-junction is proposed to improve the breakup process of the drop. The results are apprised by the previously published experimental and numerical research in the literature. The comparison depicts that the current results are in good agreement with the previous studies. The effects of the non-dimensional drop length (L*), electric capillary number ( $${\text{Ca}}_{{\text{e}}}$$ ), and permittivity ratio ( $$\varepsilon^{*}$$ ) are studied in detail. The results reveal that using an electric field, the mother drop splits faster in the presence of an electric field when compared with the case without the electric field. It is also concluded that the effect of electrical field is more highlighted when drops are smaller. Furthermore, the breakup time of the drop decreases by increasing the electric capillary number and permittivity ratio.