Mixing of Particles in Micromixers under Different Angles and Velocities of the Incoming Water

Evangelos Karvelas,Theodoros Karakasidis,Ioannis Sarris,Christos Liosis

doi:10.3390/proceedings2110577

Evangelos Karvelas, Theodoros Karakasidis + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/proceedings2110577

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Publication Date: Jul 30, 2018
Citations: 8	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Thessaly, University of West Attica

Abstract

A possible solution for water purification from heavy metals is to capture them by using nanoparticles in microfluidic ducts. In this technique, heavy metal capture is achieved by effectively mixing two streams, a nanoparticle solution and the contaminated water. In the present work, particles and water mixing is numerically studied for various inlet velocity ratios and inflow angles of the two streams. The Navier-Stokes equations are solved for the water flow while the discrete motion of particles is evaluated by a Lagrangian method. Results showed that as the velocity ratio between the inlet streams increases, by increasing the particles solution flow, the mixing of particles with the contaminated water is increased. Thus, nanoparticles are more uniformly distributed in the duct. On the other hand, angle increase between the inflow streams ducts is found to be less significant.

Highlights

Water quality problems are a persistent global issue since population growth, urbanization and industrialization, have continually stressed hydrological resources [1]
Current water and wastewater treatment technologies and infrastructures are reaching their limit for providing adequate water quality to meet human and environmental needs [7]
For the evaluation of the water‐particle mixing process inside the micromixer device, series of simulations are performed with different velocity ratios of the contaminated water (Vc) and the particle solution (Vp) under three different inlet angles between the two streams

Summary

Introduction

Water quality problems are a persistent global issue since population growth, urbanization and industrialization, have continually stressed hydrological resources [1]. Heavy metals released into the environment from plating plants, mining and alloy manufacturing pose a significant threat to the environment and public health. Exposure to heavy metal mixtures is a common and important parameter of toxicity in human and environmental health issues. The effects of heavy metals on health may be loss of memory, allergic reactions, high pressure, depression, irritability, aggressive behavior, insomnia, dyslexia, increased cholesterol, triglycerides, neuropathy and autoimmune diseases just to mention few ones [2]. Reliable methods are needed to remove heavy metals in environmental and biological samples [3,4,5,6]. Current water and wastewater treatment technologies and infrastructures are reaching their limit for providing adequate water quality to meet human and environmental needs [7]

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