LBM simulation on friction and mass flow analysis in a rough microchannel

Abstract

The aim of the present paper is to analyze the friction and mass flow in a rough microchannel using Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM). The LBM is a kinetic method based on the particle distribution function, so it can be fruitfully used to study the flow dependence on Knudsen number including slip velocity, pressure drop in rough microchannel. The surface roughness elements are taken to be considered as a series of circular shaped riblets throughout the channel with relative roughness height up to a maximum 10% of the channel height. The friction coefficients in terms of Poiseuille number (Pn), mass flow rate and the flow behaviors have been discussed in order to study the effect of surface roughness in the slip flow regime at Knudsen number (Kn), ranging from 0.01 to 0.10. It is seen that the friction factor and the flow behaviors in a rough microchannel strongly depend on the rarefaction effect and the relative roughness height. The friction factor in a rough microchannel is higher than that in smooth channel but the mass flow rate is lower than that of smooth channel. Moreover, it is seen that the friction factor increased with relative roughness height but decreased with increasing the Kundsen number (Kn) whereas the mass flow rate is decreased with increasing both of surface roughness height and Knudsen number.