Entropy generation and Joule heating of two layered electroosmotic flow in the peristaltically induced micro-channel

Abstract

We analyze the flow characteristics, thermal behavior, and entropy generation for two layered flow driven by combined effects of electroosmosis and peristaltic pumping in an asymmetric microfluidic channel subjected to velocity and thermal slip conditions. Aqueous solutions having different viscosity and different zeta potentials at the walls of the micro-channel are considered in upper and lower layers to examine the two layered flow variation. This study is motivated towards investigating micro-vascular two layered biofluid flow in capillary, by taking into account of heat transfer effects. Analysis is carried out under suitable physical assumptions (low Reynolds number, long wavelength and low zeta potential). The effects of slip parameter, viscosity, zeta potential and electroosmotic parameter on velocity field and the effects of Joule heating parameter, Brinkman number, thermal slip parameter on temperature field are reported. The variations in Nusselt number based on the velocity and temperature fields, and the variations in Bejan number based on heat transfer irreversibility are also computed. Furthermore, the implications of Joule heating on system irreversibility through entropy generation analysis due to fluid friction and heat transfer are studied. The outcomes of the present study is applicable in designing the thermofluidic micropumps which can be utilized in chemical mixing/separation processes and biomicrofluidics devices for the purpose of diagnosis.