Simulation of immiscible liquid–liquid flows in complex microchannel geometries using a front-tracking scheme

Lyes Kahouadji, Emilia Nowak, Nina Kovalchuk, Jalel Chergui, Damir Juric, Seungwon Shin, Mark J. H. Simmons, Richard V. Craster, Omar K. Matar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
207 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

The three-dimensional two-phase flow dynamics inside a microfluidic device of complex geometry is simulated using a parallel, hybrid front-tracking/level-set solver. The numerical framework employed circumvents numerous meshing issues normally associated with constructing complex geometries within typical computational fluid dynamics packages. The device considered in the present work is constructed via a module that defines solid objects by means of a static distance function. The construction combines primitive objects, such as a cylinder, a plane, and a torus, for instance, using simple geometrical operations. The numerical solutions predicted encompass dripping and jetting, and transitions in flow patterns are observed featuring the formation of drops, ‘pancakes’, plugs, and jets, over a wide range of flow rate ratios. We demonstrate the fact that vortex formation accompanies the development of certain flow patterns, and elucidate its role in their underlying mechanisms. Experimental visualisation with a high-speed imaging are also carried out. The numerical predictions are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.
Original languageEnglish
Article number126
Number of pages12
JournalMicrofluidics and Nanofluidics
Volume22
Issue number11
Early online date25 Oct 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2018

Keywords

  • Two-phase flow
  • Cross-junction
  • Pancakes
  • Plugs
  • Drops
  • Jets

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