Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Fabrication, Operation and Flow Visualization in Surface-acoustic-wave-driven Acoustic-counterflow Microfluidics
Published on: August 27, 2013
A critical comparison of analytical flow systems exploiting streamlined and pulsed flows.
Ana C B Dias1, Joâo L M Santos, José L F C Lima
1Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil.
Multipumping (MPFS) and multicommuted (MCFS) flow systems were compared. Pulsed flow in MPFS enhanced mixing, reducing reagent use and improving sampling rates for accurate phosphate determination.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Flow Injection Analysis
Background:
- Flow systems are crucial for chemical analysis.
- Multipumping (MPFS) and multicommuted (MCFS) flow systems offer distinct advantages.
- Understanding flow dynamics is key to optimizing these systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically compare MPFS and MCFS, focusing on pulsed vs. laminar flow.
- To evaluate mixing conditions and dispersion in both systems.
- To assess their performance in phosphate determination.
Main Methods:
- Simulated sample analysis using bromocresol green.
- Phosphate determination via the molybdenum blue method.
- Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) with rhodamine B for visualization.
Main Results:
- Pulsed flow (MPFS) enhanced mixing, reducing reagent consumption (48 µL vs. 96 µL for MCFS).
- MPFS improved sampling rate (144 h⁻¹ vs. 67 h⁻¹ for MCFS).
- Phosphate determination yielded precise (r.s.d. < 0.5%) and accurate results for both systems.
- LIF revealed pulsed flow promotes radial dispersion and limits axial dispersion, indicative of turbulent flow.
Conclusions:
- MPFS with pulsed flow offers superior performance over MCFS with laminar flow.
- Pulsed flow enhances mixing efficiency and reduces axial dispersion.
- MPFS is a more efficient and effective system for applications like phosphate analysis.
More Related Videos
07:30In Vitro Model of Physiological and Pathological Blood Flow with Application to Investigations of Vascular Cell Remodeling
Published on: November 3, 2015
11:00Experimental Investigation of Secondary Flow Structures Downstream of a Model Type IV Stent Failure in a 180° Curved Artery Test Section
Published on: July 19, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Laminar Flow
Streamlines, Streaklines, and Pathlines
Plane Potential Flows
Uniform Flow
Uniform flow...
Introduction to Types of Flows
Two-dimensional flow involves changes in both length and height, as seen in air...
Laminar and Turbulent Flow
Steady Flow of a Fluid Stream
During this process, the momentum of the fluid within the control volume remains constant over the time interval dt. By applying the...