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Simulation of immiscible liquid-liquid flows in complex microchannel geometries using a front-tracking scheme
Lyes Kahouadji1, Emilia Nowak2,3, Nina Kovalchuk2
11Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London, SW7 2AZ UK.
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics
|April 2, 2019
Summary
This study simulates three-dimensional two-phase flow in complex microfluidic devices. The novel solver accurately predicts flow patterns like drops and jets, validated by experiments.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Microfluidics
- Computational Science
Background:
- Simulating multiphase flow in complex microfluidic geometries presents meshing challenges.
- Accurate prediction of flow dynamics is crucial for microfluidic device design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simulate three-dimensional two-phase flow in a microfluidic device with complex geometry.
- To develop and validate a numerical framework that overcomes meshing limitations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a parallel, hybrid front-tracking/level-set solver.
- Constructed complex geometries using a module defining solid objects via static distance functions.
- Combined primitive objects (cylinder, plane, torus) with geometrical operations.
Main Results:
- Predicted various flow patterns including dripping, jetting, drops, 'pancakes', plugs, and jets.
- Observed transitions in flow patterns across a range of flow rate ratios.
- Demonstrated vortex formation and elucidated its role in flow pattern mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- The numerical framework effectively simulates complex microfluidic two-phase flow.
- Predictions show excellent agreement with high-speed experimental visualizations.
- The approach offers a robust solution for microfluidic simulations with intricate designs.
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