Simulation of Droplet Formation in T‐Inlet Microchannels with Different Junction Angle

Abstract

AbstractThe level set method was used to numerically simulate the droplet formation process in T‐junction microchannels with different junction angle. The effects of flow rate ratio, capillary number, and contact angle on droplet formation under different junction angles were discussed. The numerical simulation results show that the dimensionless length and generation frequency of microdroplets increase with the flow rate ratio. It was observed that the droplet transforms from the squeezing regime to the dripping regime when the capillary number Ca is ≥ 0.02. For Ca ≤ 0.04, the smallest droplet was generated in the microchannel with 120° junction angle. Finally, the results also indicate that the effect of the contact angle is discrepant at different junction angles.