Effect of hybrid wall contact angles on slug flow behavior in a T-junction microchannel: A numerical study

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of hydrophilic-to-superhydrophobic discontinuous wall contact angles on gas-liquid slug flow in a T-junction microchannel. The two-phase volume-of-fluid model with dynamic contact angle are used by solving wall-adhesion equations, which determine the shape of the fluid’s interface at and close to the wall. The governing equations of the flow field are solved numerically using a finite volume method. The obtained results are first validated against previously reported experimental data. Subsequently, the effects of changes in the wall contact angles on the slug flow behavior are examined resulting in the new insights into the size, shape, and velocity of slug flow as a function of the wall contact angle. Using a hydrophilic-superhydrophobic hybrid surface leads to the formation of an asymmetric bubble and separation of the bubble from the hydrophobic part. It also causes adhesion to the hydrophilic part, a change in slug length, a reduction in pressure drop, and a variation in the heat transfer characteristics and continuous phase structure. It is shown that using a particular pattern significantly increases the thickness of the liquid wall film.