Hydrodynamics of Liquid-Liquid Flows in Micro Channels and Its Influence on Transport Properties: A Review

Abstract

Hydrodynamics plays a major role in transport of heat and mass transfer in microchannels. This includes flow patterns and flow regimes in which the micro-channels are operated. The flow patterns have a major impact the transport properties. Another important aspect is the pressure drop in micro-channels. In the present review, the experimental and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) studies covering all the above aspects have been covered. The effect of geometrical parameters like shape of channel, channel size, material of construction of channels; operating parameters like flow velocity, flow ratio and fluid properties have been presented and analyzed. Experimental and analytical work of different pressure drop models has also been presented. All the literature related to influence of flow patterns on transport properties like volumetric mass transfer coefficients (VMTC) and heat transfer coefficients (HTC) have been presented and analyzed. It is found that most works in Liquid-Liquid Extraction (LLE) systems have been carried out in slug flow and T-junctions. Models for coupled systems of flow and mass transfer have been presented and works carried out for different coupled systems have been listed. CFD simulations match experimental results within 20% deviations in quantitative and qualitative predictions of flow phenomena for most research articles referred in this review. There is a disparity in prediction of a generalized regime map and a generalized regime map for prediction of flow patterns for various systems would need the help of Artificial Intelligence.

Extractive Desulfurization in Microchannel Contactors Using Deep Eutectic Solvents: Optimization Using Central Composite Design (CCD) and Flow Pattern Mapping

“…It should be noted that the slug flow pattern is a steady and effective pattern for mass transfer. The considerable mass transfer in this flow pattern is attributed to the internal circulation in the slugs and the high interfacial area available for the mass transfer. , …”

“…The considerable mass transfer in this flow pattern is attributed to the internal circulation in the slugs and the high interfacial area available for the mass transfer. 59,60 3.1.2. Smooth Annular.…”

Transport phenomena in microchannels in liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) systems operating in a slug flow regime—A review

“…Excellent reviews focusing on hydrodynamics in micro‐channels have given detailed descriptions of flow patterns and pressure drop. [ 9–11 ] In the present review, we briefly describe the flow patterns that have been reported by previous investigators in microchannels. Typical geometries used for studies in micro‐channels are shown in Figure 1.…”

“…F I G U R E 4 Prominent regime maps available in the literature (Reproduced with permission from Ganguli and Pandit [10] ): (A) Wu et al, [20] (B) Yagodnitsyna et al, [16] (C) Kashid and Kiwi-Minsker, [21] (D) Foroughi and Kawaji, [22] and (E) Zhang et al [23] other, which segregates into a higher number of segments of the dispersed and continuous phases. Another way to vary interfacial area is to vary the ratio of inlet flow rates.…”

Turbulence and Fluid Mechanics

“…The article [8] entitled "Hydrodynamics of Liquid-Liquid Flows in Micro Channels and Its Influence on Transport Properties: A Review" is a review article on heat and mass transport in microchannels, including flow patterns and typical flow regimes in microchannels. The article discusses both experimental and computational research.…”