New insights into fluid mixing in micromixers with fractal wall structure
-
Helin Wang
Abstract
Microfluidics is thought to have a high development potential and a wide range of applications in biomedical research. The design of micromixers has gotten a lot of attention because they are such a crucial aspect of microfluidic devices. The passive micromixer has the advantages of simple construction and steady performance over the active micromixer. In this paper, a fractal wall micromixer is proposed, and the flow characteristics and mixing process of the secondary fractal double wall micromixer are studied using intuitive flow patterns and quantitative calculation methods. The results show that the mixing efficiency of secondary fractal wall is higher than that of primary fractal wall, and with the increase of h, the mixing efficiency and pressure drop begin to decrease gradually. When there is a secondary fractal wall structure on both sides, when Reynolds number (Re) = 0.1, the mixing efficiency of the outlet can reach 95%, and when Re = 100, the mixing efficiency of the outlet can reach 99%, almost complete mixing. The fractal wall micromixer has good mixing effect and shows great application potential in chemical engineering and biological engineering.
Funding source: Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation
Award Identifier / Grant number: ZR2021JQ
Funding source: Young Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province of China
Award Identifier / Grant number: tsqn202103091
-
Author contributions: All the authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this submitted manuscript and approved submission.
-
Research funding: This work was supported by Young Taishan Scholars Program of Shandong Province of China (tsqn202103091), Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (ZR2021JQ).
-
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
-
Data availability: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
References
Bayareh, M. 2021. “Artificial Diffusion in the Simulation of Micromixers: A Review.” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 235 (21): 5288–96, https://doi.org/10.1177/0954406220982028.Search in Google Scholar
Bayareh, M., M. N. Ashani, and A. Usefian. 2020. “Active and Passive Micromixers: A Comprehensive Review.” Chemical Engineering and Processing-Process Intensification 147: 107771, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cep.2019.107771.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, X., and T. Li. 2017. “A Novel Passive Micromixer Designed by Applying an Optimization Algorithm to the Zigzag Microchannel.” Chemical Engineering Journal 313: 1406–14, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2016.11.052.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, X., and Y. Tian. 2020. “Passive Micromixer with Baffles Distributed on Both Sides of Microchannels Based on the Koch Fractal Principle.” Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 95 (3): 806–12, https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6270.Search in Google Scholar
Chen, X., and Z. Zhao. 2017. “Numerical Investigation on Layout Optimization of Obstacles in a Three-Dimensional Passive Micromixer.” Analytica Chimica Acta 964: 142–9, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2017.01.066.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Cortes-Quiroz, C. A., A. Azarbadegan, and E. Moeendarbary. 2010. “An Efficient Passive Planar Micromixer with Fin-Shaped Baffles in the Tee Channel for Wide Reynolds Number Flow Range.” World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 61: 170–5.Search in Google Scholar
Cortelezzi, L., S. Ferrari, and G. Dubini. 2017. “A Scalable Active Micro-mixer for Biomedical Applications.” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 21 (3): 31, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-017-1868-9.Search in Google Scholar
Eduati, F., R. Utharala, D. Madhavan, U. P. Neumann, T. Longerich, T. Cramer, J. Saez-Rodriguez, and C. A. Merten. 2018. “A Microfluidics Platform for Combinatorial Drug Screening on Cancer Biopsies.” Nature Communications 9 (1): 1–13, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-04919-w.Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Feng, Q., X. Chen, X. Wang, X. Yu, X. Zeng, Y. Ma, and Q. Wang. 2021 “Numerical Simulation of a Three-Dimensional Electroosmotic Micromixer with a Flexible and Controllable Rubik’s Cube Module.” International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer 127: 105482, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2021.105482.Search in Google Scholar
Gidde, R. R., P. M. Pawar, B. P. Ronge, N. D. Misal, R. B. Kapurkar, and A. K. Parkhe. 2018. “Evaluation of the Mixing Performance in a Planar Passive Micromixer with Circular and Square Mixing Chambers.” Microsystem Technologies 24 (6): 2599–610.10.1007/s00542-017-3686-0Search in Google Scholar
Hossain, S., and K. Y. Kim. 2015. “Mixing Analysis in a Three-Dimensional Serpentine Split-And-Recombine Micromixer.” Chemical Engineering Research and Design 100: 95–103, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cherd.2015.05.011.Search in Google Scholar
Hossain, S., A. Afzal, and K. Y. Kim. 2017. “Shape Optimization of a Three-Dimensional Serpentine Split-And-Recombine Micromixer.” Chemical Engineering Communications 204 (5): 548–56, https://doi.org/10.1080/00986445.2017.1289185.Search in Google Scholar
Jalili, H., M. Raad, and D. A. Fallah. 2020. “Numerical Study on the Mixing Quality of an Electroosmotic Micromixer under Periodic Potential.” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science 234 (11): 2113–25, https://doi.org/10.1177/0954406220904089.Search in Google Scholar
Jing, D., S. Song, Y. Pan, and X. Wang. 2018. “Size Dependences of Hydraulic Resistance and Heat Transfer of Fluid Flow in Elliptical Microchannel Heat Sinks with Boundary Slip.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 119: 647–53, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2017.11.149.Search in Google Scholar
Jing, D., S. Song, and L. He. 2019. “Reexamination of Murray’s Law for Tree-like Rectangular Microchannel Network with Constant Channel Height.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 128: 1344–50, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.08.006.Search in Google Scholar
Khozeymeh-Nezhad, H., and H. Niazmand. 2018. “A Double MRT-LBM for Simulation of Mixing in an Active Micromixer with Rotationally Oscillating Stirrer in High Peclet Number Flows.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 122: 913–21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2018.02.033.Search in Google Scholar
Kim, C. K., and J. Y. Yoon. 2017. “Optimal Design of Groove Shape on Passive Micromixer Using Design of Experiment Technique.” Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering 231 (4): 880–7, https://doi.org/10.1177/0954408916640663.Search in Google Scholar
Kumar, C., M. Hejazian, C. From, S. C. Saha, E. Sauret, Y. Gu, and N. T. Nguyen. 2019. “Modeling of Mass Transfer Enhancement in a Magnetofluidic Micromixer.” Physics of Fluids 31 (6): 063603, https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5093498.Search in Google Scholar
Kunti, G., A. Bhattacharya, and S. Chakraborty. 2017. “Rapid Mixing with High-Throughput in a Semi-active Semi-passive Micromixer.” Electrophoresis 38 (9–10): 1310–7, https://doi.org/10.1002/elps.201600393.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Luo, X., Y. Cheng, W. Zhang, K. Li, P. Wang, and W. Zhao. 2021. “Mixing Performance Analysis of the Novel Passive Micromixer Designed by Applying Fuzzy Grey Relational Analysis.” International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 178: 121638.10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2021.121638Search in Google Scholar
Owens, C. E., and A. J. Hart. 2018. “High-precision Modular Microfluidics by Micromilling of Interlocking Injection-Molded Blocks.” Lab on a Chip 18 (6): 890–901, https://doi.org/10.1039/c7lc00951h.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Rahman, M. H., M. R. Ahmad, M. Takeuchi, M. Nakajima, Y. Hasegawa, and T. Fukuda. 2015. “Single Cell Mass Measurement Using Drag Force inside Lab-On-Chip Microfluidics System.” IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience 14.8: 927–34, https://doi.org/10.1109/tnb.2015.2507064.Search in Google Scholar
Raza, W., S. Hossain, and K. Y. Kim. 2020. “A Review of Passive Micromixers with a Comparative Analysis.” Micromachines 11.5: 455.10.3390/mi11050455Search in Google Scholar PubMed PubMed Central
Ruijin, W., L. Beiqi, S. Dongdong, and Z. Zefei. 2017. “Investigation on the Splitting-Merging Passive Micromixer Based on Baker’s Transformation.” Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 249: 395–404, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2017.04.087.Search in Google Scholar
Shi, H., K. Nie, B. Dong, L. Chao, F. Gao, M. Ma, M. Long, and Z. Liu. 2020. “Mixing Enhancement via a Serpentine Micromixer for Real-Time Activation of Carboxyl.” Chemical Engineering Journal 392: 123642, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.123642.Search in Google Scholar
Ta, B. Q., H. L. Thanh, T. Dong, T. N. Thoi, and F. Karlsen. 2015. “Geometric Effects on Mixing Performance in a Novel Passive Micromixer with Trapezoidal-Zigzag Channels.” Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering 25 (9): 094004, https://doi.org/10.1088/0960-1317/25/9/094004.Search in Google Scholar
Usefian, A., and M. Bayareh. 2019. “Numerical and Experimental Study on Mixing Performance of a Novel Electro-Osmotic Micro-mixer.” Meccanica 54 (8): 1149–62, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11012-019-01018-y.Search in Google Scholar
Wang, H., and X. Chen. 2022. “Optimization of Micromixer Based on an Improved Tesla Valve-Typed Structure.” Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering 44 (4): 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-022-03454-6.Search in Google Scholar
Xiong, S., and X. Chen. 2021. “Numerical Study of a Three-Dimensional Electroosmotic Micromixer with Koch Fractal Curve Structure.” Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology 96 (7): 1909–17, https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.6711.Search in Google Scholar
Xiong, S., and X. Chen. 2021. “Simulation and Experimental Research of an Effective SAR Multilayer Interlaced Micromixer Based on Koch Fractal Geometry.” Microfluidics and Nanofluidics 25 (11): 1–11, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10404-021-02495-y.Search in Google Scholar
Yang, Z., S. Matsumoto, H. Goto, M. Matsumoto, and R. Maeda. 2001. “Ultrasonic Micromixer for Microfluidic Systems.” Sensors and Actuators A: Physical 93 (3): 266–72, https://doi.org/10.1016/s0924-4247(01)00654-9.Search in Google Scholar
Yin, Z., and W. Wang. 2019. “Structure-Induced Method for Circular Cross-Sectional Nanochannel Fabrication.” Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 19 (9): 5750–4, https://doi.org/10.1166/jnn.2019.16566.Search in Google Scholar PubMed
Yu, S., T. J. Jeon, and S. M. Kim. 2012. “Active Micromixer Using Electrokinetic Effects in the Micro/nanochannel Junction.” Chemical Engineering Journal 197: 289–94, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2012.05.044.Search in Google Scholar
© 2022 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Reinterpretation of the Geldart A powder classification based on Eulerian–Eulerian CFD simulation
- Evaluation of ion transport properties characterizing concentration polarization in membrane-solution system under different factors
- Effect of a new pattern of surface roughness on flow field and erosion rate of a cyclone
- The influence of central coke charging mode on the burden surface shape and distribution of a blast furnace
- CFD-based approach to design the heart-shaped micromixer with obstacles
- New insights into fluid mixing in micromixers with fractal wall structure
- Improved degradation of tetracycline antibiotic in electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs): bioassay using bacteria and identification of intermediate compounds
- Numerical investigation on the laminar combustion characteristics of primary reference fuel: the effects of elevated temperatures and pressures
- Analysis and optimization of feed liquid flow characteristics of distributor in scraping film molecular distillation equipment
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Reinterpretation of the Geldart A powder classification based on Eulerian–Eulerian CFD simulation
- Evaluation of ion transport properties characterizing concentration polarization in membrane-solution system under different factors
- Effect of a new pattern of surface roughness on flow field and erosion rate of a cyclone
- The influence of central coke charging mode on the burden surface shape and distribution of a blast furnace
- CFD-based approach to design the heart-shaped micromixer with obstacles
- New insights into fluid mixing in micromixers with fractal wall structure
- Improved degradation of tetracycline antibiotic in electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs): bioassay using bacteria and identification of intermediate compounds
- Numerical investigation on the laminar combustion characteristics of primary reference fuel: the effects of elevated temperatures and pressures
- Analysis and optimization of feed liquid flow characteristics of distributor in scraping film molecular distillation equipment
