Abstract
In this work, a numerical investigation was analyzed to exhibit the mixing behaviors of non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluids in Kenics micromixers. The numerical analysis was performed using the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) tool to solve 3D Navier-Stokes equations with the species transport equations. The efficiency of mixing is estimated by the calculation of the mixing index for different cases of Reynolds number. The geometry of micro Kenics collected with a series of six helical elements twisted 180° and arranged alternately to achieve the higher level of chaotic mixing, inside a pipe with a Y-inlet. Under a wide range of Reynolds numbers between 0.1 to 500 and the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solutions with power-law indices among 1 to 0.49, the micro-Kenics proves high mixing Performances at low and high Reynolds number. Moreover the pressure losses of the shear-thinning fluids for different Reynolds numbers was validated and represented.
Highlights
A Kenics mixer is a passive mixer created for conditions of laminar flow; it is generally constituted of a series of helical elements, and each element rotated
Steady conservation equations of incompressible fluid are solved numerically in a laminar regime by using the ANSYS FluentTM 16 computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software (Ansys, Canonsburg, PL, USA) [21], which is fundamentally based on the finite volumes method
The mixing performance of the microKenics was compared with other three micromixers [15]: the SHG micromixer, a mixer based on patterns of grooves on the floor of the channel and a 3D serpentine micromixer with repeating “L-shape” units and the TLSCC a micromixer which the principle serpentine channels with an angle of 90◦ regarding the inlets
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Micromachines 2021, 12, 1494 pipes, Stroock et al [13] realized a twisting flow microsystem with diagonally oriented ridges on the bottom wall in a microchannel They attained chaotic mixing by alternating velocity fields. Bahiri et al [15], using grooves integrated on the bottom wall of a curved surface, studied numerically the mixing of non-Newtonian shear-thinning fluids. They illustrated that the grooves elevated the chaotic advection and augmented the mixing performance. Using CFD code, numerical simulations were carried out at Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 500 in order to examine the flow structures and the hydrodynamic mixing performances within the concerned Kenics micromixer. In order to get important homogenization of the fluids’ indices and pressure losses will be appraised
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
