Abstract
This study explores and analyzes the mixing efficiency of five innovative micromixers, each featuring serpentine microchannels, through comprehensive experimentation. The mixing experiments were conducted on micromixers with distinct shapes: backward arrow, loop, square, circular, and box waves, all equipped with backward arrow-shaped inlets, using the Villermaux–Dushman protocol. The assessment of mixing performance was carried out across a range of Reynolds numbers (Re) from 100 to 700, accompanied by varying pressure drop measurements. The efficiency of mixing was determined using ultraviolet spectrophotometry to measure the absorbance values and times for mixed fluids from the five micromixers. At Re values greater than 100, the mixing performance ranked as follows: Square-wave > Circular-wave > Box-wave > Loop-wave > Backward Arrow-shaped micromixers. Factors such as repeated perturbations, the presence of crests and troughs, the angle of the channels, and the split and recombination effects played significant roles in these outcomes. With increasing Re from 100 to 700, we observed progressive and consistent results across all microchannels. Remarkably, at a broad range of Reynolds numbers, the five micromixers demonstrated superior mixing performance compared to designs based on unbalanced split and collisions, achieving an impressive mixing efficiency of over 93 %, while keeping the pressure drop under 80 kPa. This pressure drop range is suitable for a variety of lab-on-a-chip and micro-total analysis systems. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the mixing performance of microfluidic systems can be improved by incorporating the presented design method of microchannel shapes, especially the Square-wave.
Acknowledgment
The start and completion of this project were also made possible through the immense contributions of our dedicated lab engineers Osama Khamis and Mahmoud Zaghloul. For their tireless work, effort, and guidance throughout the fabrication and experimental process, we would like to thank Engineers Rabie Mohammed, Abdallah Yusuf, and Hesham Elkady. Special thanks also to Engineer Dela Gohoho for his support and proofreading of the project. To Dr. Shouman and Engineer Shayma, who contributed immensely to the fabrication phase of our work, we are grateful.
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Research ethics: All the necessary ethic and capture permits for these procedures and Analysis were provided from Project base learning Course (PBL) at the Egypt- Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Department of chemical and Petrochemical Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Ahmed H El-Shazly.
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Author contributions: K. S.: Conceptualization, Methodology, validation, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing-original draft, writing-review & editing. J. A.: Conceptualization, Methodology, validation, formal analysis, investigation, data curation, writing-original draft, writing-review & editing. A. H. E-S.: Data curation & Supervision and all authors reviewed and commented on successive versions.
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Competing interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Data availability: The raw data can be obtained on request from the corresponding author.
References
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© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Molecular dynamics simulation of microstructure and thermophysical properties of LiCl–CaCl2 eutectic molten salt
- Extraction of 4-hydroxy benzoic acid from potato processing industrial waste
- Numerical simulation study of the effect of nonlinear side blowing on the flow of gas-liquid two-phase flow
- Design and performance optimization of diesel engine waste heat recovery methanol reforming hydrogen generation system
- Scale-up production of apple essences/hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: effects of the impeller type and the rotational speed on the characteristics of the inclusion complexes
- Investigations of the mixing efficiency of five novel micromixer designs with backward arrow inlet using the Villermaux Dushman protocol
- Preparation and flocculation performance of a cationic starch based flocculant
- Sustainable approach for catalytic epoxidation of oleic acid followed by in situ ring-opening hydrolysis with applied ion exchange resin
- Molecular dynamics simulations of the local structure and physicochemical properties of CaCl2 molten salt
- Modifications in impeller blades for high efficiency mixing of pseudoplastic fluid in a stirred tank
- Short Communications
- Areas of stability of the dynamic equilibrium points of a chemical reactor
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Molecular dynamics simulation of microstructure and thermophysical properties of LiCl–CaCl2 eutectic molten salt
- Extraction of 4-hydroxy benzoic acid from potato processing industrial waste
- Numerical simulation study of the effect of nonlinear side blowing on the flow of gas-liquid two-phase flow
- Design and performance optimization of diesel engine waste heat recovery methanol reforming hydrogen generation system
- Scale-up production of apple essences/hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes: effects of the impeller type and the rotational speed on the characteristics of the inclusion complexes
- Investigations of the mixing efficiency of five novel micromixer designs with backward arrow inlet using the Villermaux Dushman protocol
- Preparation and flocculation performance of a cationic starch based flocculant
- Sustainable approach for catalytic epoxidation of oleic acid followed by in situ ring-opening hydrolysis with applied ion exchange resin
- Molecular dynamics simulations of the local structure and physicochemical properties of CaCl2 molten salt
- Modifications in impeller blades for high efficiency mixing of pseudoplastic fluid in a stirred tank
- Short Communications
- Areas of stability of the dynamic equilibrium points of a chemical reactor