Abstract
Freezing in microchannels can be exploited for flow control in microfluidic applications where the use of traditional valve mechanisms is impractical. For liquid flow in a subcooled channel, freezing may initiate in dendritic, annular, or mixed modes of ice formation, depending on operational and geometric parameters. While these different modes have been observed anecdotally, the literature lacks a comprehensive parametric understanding of the ice formation behavior and the resulting time taken to block off flow in a channel. An experimental study is performed to visualize ice formation in water flowing through a subcooled circular microchannel (500 μm inner diameter) that is installed in a vacuum-insulatable, temperature-controlled test cell. The glass microchannel wall and transparent windows in the test cell and vacuum chamber allow for high-speed, high-magnification visualization of the freezing behavior. At flow rates of 0.5 ml/min, 1.0 ml/min, and 2.0 ml/min, dendritic and annular modes of ice formation are observed; the growth characteristics are presented as a function of the water flow rate.
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.
