A new two-layer passive micromixer design based on SAR-vortex principles
-
Amin Lotfiani
and
Ghader Rezazadeh
Abstract
Micromixers are key components of microfluidic systems for sample analysis, bioreactors, drug delivery, and many other applications. To date, numerous passive micromixer designs have been proposed. Among those, several designs with complex design structures have been demonstrated to be efficient. In the present work, the authors try to propose a new efficient design with low complexity in terms of fabrication. The new design is two-layer and is based on the split and recombination (SAR) and vortex mixing principles. It is suggested to fabricate the new design in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using the soft lithography technique. This new design is chosen among three new designs simulated using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software ANSYS Fluent 17.0. The three new designs are named ND1, ND2, and ND3 and their mixing performances are evaluated numerically using mixing index (MI) and mixer effectiveness (ME) quantities at four different Reynolds (Re) numbers in the range of 0.1–100. Calculated values are compared with those obtained for the classical Y-shaped (CY) micromixer. Flow and mixing patterns are computed by solving the continuity, Navier–Stokes, and the convection–diffusion equations. CFD results for the CY micromixer are compared with available experimental and numerical data and reasonable agreement is observed. According to the results, ND3 has the highest performance (ME up to 36.86 percent/mm) among the investigated micromixer designs in the entire range of Re numbers. The maximum pressure drop (35099.9 Pa at Re = 100 for ND3) is still in the range of acceptable pressure drops reported in the literature. ND3 can be used as an efficient substitute for CY. Although ND3 is highly efficient (MI up to 99.52%) at Re numbers lower than 0.3 or higher than 50, its performance at the intermediate Re numbers (0.3 < Re < 50) is poor and unacceptable (MI as low as 44%). This can be simply improved by adding extra mixing units to provide adequate mixing also at the intermediate Re numbers.
Author contribution: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
Research funding: None declared.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this article.
References
Ansari, M. A., K. Y. Kim, and K. Anwar. 2010. “A Novel Passive Micromixer Based on Unbalanced Splits and Collisions of Fluid Streams.” Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 20 (5), http://iopscience.iop.org/0960-1317/20/5/055007.10.1088/0960-1317/20/5/055007Search in Google Scholar
Ansari, M. A., K. Y. Kim, and S. M. Kim. 2018. “Numerical and Experimental Study on Mixing Performances of Simple and Vortex Micro T-Mixers.” Micromachines 9, https://doi.org/10.3390/mi9050204.Search in Google Scholar
ANSYS Fluent 15.0 Theory Guide 2013. ANSYS Inc., Southpointe, 275 Technology Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317, USA http://www.ansys.com.Search in Google Scholar
Bailey, R. T. 2017. “Managing False Diffusion during Second-Order Upwind Simulations of Liquid Micromixing.” International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids 83: 940–59, https://doi.org/10.1002/fld.4335.Search in Google Scholar
Borgohain, P., D. Choudhary, A. Dalal, and G. Natarajan. 2018a. “Numerical Investigation of Mixing Enhancement for Multi-Species Flows in Wavy Channels.” Chemical Engineering and Processing, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2018.03.026.Search in Google Scholar
Borgohain, P., J. Arumughan, A. Dalal, and G. Natarajan. 2018b. “Design and Performance of a Three-Dimensional Micromixer with Curved Ribs.” Chemical Engineering Research and Design 136: 761–75, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2018.06.027.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, J. J., C. H. Chen, and S. R. Shie. 2011. “Optimal Designs of Staggered Dean Vortex Micromixers.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 12 (6): 3500–24, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12063500.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, J. J. and Y. S. Shie. 2012. “Interfacial Configurations and Mixing Performances of Fluids in Staggered Curved-Channel Micromixers.” Microsystem Technologies 18 (1): 1823–33, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00542-012-1489-x.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, X. 2018. “Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Two Multi-Layer Passive Micromixers.” Sensor Review 38 (1): 321–5, https://doi.org/10.1108/sr-04-2017-0054.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, Y. and X. Chen. 2019. “Numerical Investigations of a Passive Micromixer Based on Minkowski Fractal Principle.” International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering 18 (2), https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2019-0105.Search in Google Scholar
Cosentino, A., H. Madadi, P. Vergara, R. Vecchione, F. Causa, and P. A. Netti. 2015. “An Efficient Planar Accordion-Shaped Micromixer: From Biochemical Mixing to Biological Application.” Scientific Reports 5, https://doi.org/10.1038/srep17876.Search in Google Scholar
Galletti, Ch., M. Roudgar, E. Brunazzi, and R. Mauri. 2012. “Effect of Inlet Conditions on the Engulfment Pattern in a T-shaped Micro-mixer.” Chemical Engineering Journal (185–186): 300–13, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2012.01.046.Search in Google Scholar
Haghighinia, A. and S. Movahedirad. 2020. “Mass Transfer in a Novel Passive Micro-mixer: Flow Tortuosity Effects.” Analytica Chimica Acta 1098 (1): 75–85, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2019.11.028.Search in Google Scholar
Hardt, S., K. Drese, and V. Hessel. 2005. “Passive Micro Mixers for Applications in the Micro Reactor and µTAS Field.” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 1 (1): 108–18, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-004-0029-0.Search in Google Scholar
Hessel, V., H. Lowe, and F. Schonfeld. 2005. “Micromixers: A Review on Passive and Active Mixing Principles.” Chemical Engineering Science 60 (8–9): 2479–501, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2004.11.033.Search in Google Scholar
Hoffmann, M., M. Schluter, and N. Rabiger. 2004. “Experimental Investigation of Mixing in a Rectangular Cross-Section Micromixer.” In AIChE Annual Meeting Conference Proceedings. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228973225.Search in Google Scholar
Hossain, Sh., I. Lee, S. M. Kim, and K. Y. Kim. 2017. “A Micromixer with Two-Layer Serpentine Crossing Channels Having Excellent Mixing Performance at Low Re Numbers.” Chemical Engineering Journal 327: 268–77, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.06.106.Search in Google Scholar
Jeon, M. K., J. H. Kim, J. Noh, S. H. Kim, H. G. Park, and S. I. Woo. 2005. “Design and Characterization of a Passive Recycle Micromixer.” Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 15 (1): 346–50, https://doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/15/2/014.Search in Google Scholar
Kanaris, A. G., I. A. Stogiannis, A. A. Mouza, and S. G. Kandlikar. 2015. “Comparing the Mixing Performance of Common Types of Chaotic Micromixers: A Numerical Study.” Heat Transfer Engineering 36 (13): 1122–31, https://doi.org/10.1080/01457632.2015.987623.Search in Google Scholar
Karthikeyan, K. and L. Sujatha. 2018. “Study of Permissible Flow Rate and Mixing Efficiency of the Micromixer Devices.” International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1515/ijcre-2018-0047.Search in Google Scholar
Khalilarya, Sh. and A. Lotfiani. 2010. “Determination of Flow Pattern and its Effect on NOx Emission in a Tangentially-Fired Single Chamber Square Furnace.” Thermal Science 14 (2): 493–503, https://doi.org/10.2298/tsci1002493k.Search in Google Scholar
Khaydarov, V., E. S. Borovinskaya, and W. Reschetilowski. 2018. “Numerical and Experimental Investigations of a Micromixer with Chicane Mixing Geometry.” Applied Sciences 8, https://doi.org/10.3390/app8122458.Search in Google Scholar
Lee, C. Y., W. T. Wang, C. C. Liu, and L. M. Fu. 2016. “Passive Mixers in Microfluidic Systems: A Review.” Chemical Engineering Journal 288 (1): 146–60, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.10.122.Search in Google Scholar
Le-The, H., H. Le-Thanh, T. Dong, and B. Q. Ta. 2015. “An Effective Passive Micromixer with Shifted Trapezoidal Blades Using Wide Re Number Range.” Chemical Engineering Research and Design 93 (1): 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2014.12.003.Search in Google Scholar
Lotfiani, A. and Sh. Khalilarya. 2013. “Extended Semi-analytical Model for the Prediction of Flow and Concentration Fields in a Tangentially-Fired Furnace.” Thermal Science 17 (4): 1233–43, https://doi.org/10.2298/tsci121117027l.Search in Google Scholar
Minakov, A., V. Rudyak, A. Dekterev, and A. Gavrilov. 2013. “Investigation of Slip Boundary Conditions in the T-shaped Microchannel.” International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow 43 (1): 161–9, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2013.04.002.Search in Google Scholar
Moghimi, M. and N. Jalali. 2019. “Design and Fabrication of an Effective Micromixer through Passive Method.” Journal of Computational and Applied Research in Mechanical Engineering 9 (2): 371–83.Search in Google Scholar
Mondal, B., S. K. Mehta, P. K. Patowari, and S. Pati. 2019a. “Numerical Study of Mixing in Wavy Micromixers: Comparison between Raccoon and Serpentine Mixer.” Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification 136: 44–61, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2018.12.011.Search in Google Scholar
Mondal, B., S. Pati, and P. K. Patowari. 2019b. “Analysis of Mixing Performances in Microchannel with Obstacles of Different Aspect Ratios.” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1177/0954408919826748.Search in Google Scholar
Nimafar, M., V. Viktorov, and M. Matrinelli. 2012. “Experimental Comparative Mixing Performance and Pressure Drop Simulation of Three Passive Micromixers.” Majlesi Journal of Mechatronic Systems 1 (4): 20–9.Search in Google Scholar
Okuducu, M. B. and M. M. Aral. 2019. “Novel 3-D T-Shaped Passive Micromixer Design with Helicoidal Flows.” Processes 7, https://doi.org/10.3390/pr7090637.Search in Google Scholar
Perry, R. H. and D. W. Green. 1999. Perry’s Chemical Engineer’s Handbook, 7th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill.Search in Google Scholar
Radovanovic, M. R., S. Kojic, D. Vasiljevic, N. Samardzic, F. Crespo, S. Cargou, G. V. Casquillas, S. Chirasatitsin, and G. M. Stojanovic. 2017. “Performances Comparison of Microfluidic Passive Mixer Fabricated in Low-Cost and PDMS Technologies.” In The 8th PSU-UNS International Conference on Engineering and Technology (ICET-2017), Novi Sad, Serbia, 1–4.Search in Google Scholar
Rasouli, M. R., A. A. Mehrizi, and A. Lashkaripour. 2015. “Numerical Study on Low Re Mixing of T-Shaped Micro-mixers with Obstacles.” Transport Phenomena in Nano and Micro Scales 3 (2): 68–76.Search in Google Scholar
Raza, W., Sh. Hossain, and K. Y. Kim. 2020. “A Review of Passive Micromixers with a Comparative Analysis.” Micromachines 11, https://doi.org/10.3390/mi11050455.Search in Google Scholar
Samae, M., P. Ritmetee, S. Chirasatitsin, S. Kojic, T. Kojic, J. Jevremov, G. Stojanovic, and H. Al-Salami. 2019. “Precise Manufacturing and Performance Validation of Paper-Based Passive Microfluidic Micromixers.” International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12541-019-00272-0.Search in Google Scholar
Sheu, T. S., S. J. Chen, and J. J. Chen. 2011. “Mixing of a Split and Recombine Micromixer with Tapered Curved Microchannels.” Chemical Engineering Science 71 (1): 321–32.10.1016/j.ces.2011.12.042Search in Google Scholar
Taheri, R. A., V. Goodarzi, and A. Allahverdi. 2019. “Mixing Performance of a Cost-Effective Split-and-Recombine 3D Micromixer Fabricated by Xurographic Method.” Micromachines 10, https://doi.org/10.3390/mi10110786.Search in Google Scholar
Thamphiwatana, S., T. Phairatana, S. Chirasatitsin, M. Samae, G. V. Casquillas, H. Al-Salami, S. Kojic, and G. M. Stojanovic. 2018. “A Microfluidic Micromixer Fabricated Using Polydimethylsiloxane-based Platform for Biomedical Applications.” Journal of Microelectronics, Electronic Components and Materials 48 (3): 173–9.Search in Google Scholar
Xia, G. D., Y. F. Li, J. Wang, and Y. L. Zhai. 2016. “Numerical and Experimental Analyses of Planar Micromixer with Gaps and Baffles Based on Field Synergy Principle.” International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer 71 (1): 188–96, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2015.12.029.Search in Google Scholar
Zhang, M., J. Wu, L. Wang, K. Xiao, and W. Wen. 2010. “A Simple Method for Fabricating Multi-Layer PDMS Structures for 3D Microfluidic Chips.” Lab on a Chip 10 (1): 1199–203, https://doi.org/10.1039/b923101c.Search in Google Scholar
© 2021 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Performance and microbial community of a novel PVA/iron-carbon (Fe–C) immobilized bioreactor for nitrate removal from groundwater
- Modeling of dry reforming of methane for hydrogen production at low temperatures using membrane reactor
- Formation mechanism and chaotic reinforcement elimination of the mechanical stirring isolated mixed region
- CFD-DEM simulation of powders clogging in a packed bed with lateral inlet
- Degradation of basic violet 16 dye by electro-activated persulfate process from aqueous solutions and toxicity assessment using microorganisms: determination of by-products, reaction kinetic and optimization using Box–Behnken design
- Propargyloligosilazane matrixed composite for high temperature material combining polymer and ceramic properties
- An application of continuous flow microreactor in the synthesis and extraction of rabeprazole
- Numerical study on gas–liquid two-phase flow and mass transfer in a microchannel
- A new two-layer passive micromixer design based on SAR-vortex principles
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Performance and microbial community of a novel PVA/iron-carbon (Fe–C) immobilized bioreactor for nitrate removal from groundwater
- Modeling of dry reforming of methane for hydrogen production at low temperatures using membrane reactor
- Formation mechanism and chaotic reinforcement elimination of the mechanical stirring isolated mixed region
- CFD-DEM simulation of powders clogging in a packed bed with lateral inlet
- Degradation of basic violet 16 dye by electro-activated persulfate process from aqueous solutions and toxicity assessment using microorganisms: determination of by-products, reaction kinetic and optimization using Box–Behnken design
- Propargyloligosilazane matrixed composite for high temperature material combining polymer and ceramic properties
- An application of continuous flow microreactor in the synthesis and extraction of rabeprazole
- Numerical study on gas–liquid two-phase flow and mass transfer in a microchannel
- A new two-layer passive micromixer design based on SAR-vortex principles
