Comparative Analysis of Passive Micromixers at a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers

Micromachines

Vladimir Viktorov¹  Md Readul Mahmud¹  Carmen Visconte¹ 

关键词: micromixer;    numerical simulation;    split-and-recombine principle;    mixing efficiency;   

DOI  :  10.3390/mi6081166

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Two novel passive micromixers, denoted as the Y-Y mixer and the H-C mixer, based on split-and-recombine (SAR) principle are studied both experimentally and numerically over Reynolds numbers ranging from 1 to 100. An image analysis technique was used to evaluate mixture homogeneity at four target areas. Numerical simulations were found to be a useful support for the design phase, since a general idea of mixing of fluids can be inferred from the segregation or the distribution of path lines. Comparison with a well-known mixer, the Tear-drop one, was also performed. Over the examined range of Reynolds numbers 1 ≤ Re ≤ 100, the Y-Y and H-C mixers showed at their exit an almost flat mixing index characteristic, with a mixing efficiency higher than 90%; conversely the Tear-drop mixer showed a relevant decrease of efficiency at mid-range. Furthermore, the Y-Y and the H-C showed significantly less pressure drop than the Tear-drop mixer.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.