Parametric Study of a Transient Liquid Flow in a Microchannel of Square Cross-Section

Abstract

Time-dependent laminar liquid flow and thermal characteristics in a square cross-section microchannel were numerically investigated using computational fluid dynamics code. In the numerical model developed the upper and bottom microchannel substrate properties, Joule heating caused by applying electric potential, pressure driven flow, electroosmosis, heat transfer coefficients on the microchannel bottom wall and variations in the liquid thermophysical properties were all taken into account. Liquid flow velocity distribution and temperature fields were calculated by solving both Navier-Stokes and energy equations, and electric field distribution was determined based on their electric potential. The results obtained demonstrate the impact that applied potential, pressure difference, heat transfer coefficient and microchannel dimensions have on liquid flow and thermal behaviors in a square microchannel. Finally, the results with the model developed were then compared with those of a liquid having constant thermophysical properties.