Effects of particle size, particle density and Reynolds number on equilibrium streaks forming in a square wave serpentine microchannel: A DEM-LBM simulation study including experimental validation of the numerical framework

Investigation of Multidimensional Fractionation in Microchannels Combining a Numerical DEM-LBM Approach with Optical Measurements

“…In the following the numerical and experimental methods will be introduced. As detailed descriptions of both general methods and the respective used algorithms have been published in our previous works (see [1,3,10]), this paragraph contains only a brief introduction to the subject.…”

“…A deeper insight to the used D3Q19 model as well as bounce back-methods, forcing algorithm and collision operator can be found in [1,3]. We use LBM to simulate the flow in the investigated microchannel geometries and determine fluid forces and torques, which are exerted onto the particles in each time step.…”

“…DEM then calculates new particle positions and velocities (translational and rotational) based on forces and torques from fluid-particle interaction and from contact events. Those values are converted from physical to lattice units and transferred to the LBM (see also algorithm flowchart in [3]).…”

“…In order to supply micro-particles with defined narrow property distributions, suited fractionation methods are needed. One class of fractionation methods, which have shown to be able to fractionate microparticles by single properties such as size (see e.g., [1][2][3][4][5]), density (see e.g., [3]) or deformability (see e.g., [6]) but also multidimensionally (see e.g., [1,3]) are microfluidic fractionation methods. There is a plethora of different systems, which are however often still subject of current research.…”

“…There is a plethora of different systems, which are however often still subject of current research. In this work we investigate Deterministic Lateral Displacement (DLD) channels (see e.g., [1,[7][8][9]), serpentine channels (see e.g., [3,10,11]) and Multi-Orifice Flow Fractionation (MOFF) channels (see e.g., [5,12]).…”