Mixing characteristics and pressure drop analysis in a spiral micromixer

Abstract

In this work, numerical computations are performed to analyze the mixing characteristics and pressure drop in a spiral micromixer. The effects of variation in width and depth of the micromixer are investigated for Reynolds number ( Re) in the range of 0.1 ≤ Re≤100. Results are enumerated in terms of mass contours, streamlines, mixing index and pressure drop. It is observed that the designed spiral micromixer provides a better mixing for both low and high Re values, and moreover, the mixing index remains almost the same with the variation of the depth and width of the mixer for Re > 50. The mixing index first decreases with Re, reaches a minimum value, and thereafter again increases with a further increase in Re in the range of 0.1 ≤ Re≤50. For intermediate Reynolds number, a high mixing index is observed in micromixer having higher depth and lower width. Although the driving pressure force increases with the increase in Reynolds number, it decreases with the increase in width and depth of the micromixer.

Numerical simulation and parameter optimization of micromixer device using fuzzy logic technique

“…Tripathi et al 23 designed and reported a spiral shaped micromixer which was investigated for a wide range of Reynolds numbers between 0.1 and 100. Better mixing was observed within the range of Reynolds number from 0.1 to 50.…”

“…They reported a mixing efficiency of 96% while using the triangular obstacles with Re = 100 and 18 kPa pressure drop. E. Tripathi et al 23 designed and reported a spiral shaped micromixer which was investigated for a wide range of Reynolds numbers between 0.1 and 100. Better mixing was observed within the range of Reynolds number from 0.1 to 50.…”

Mixing enhancement of passive type T-mixer through shape optimization

“…It was observed an increase in interfacial contact area by creating repeated stretching and folding of fluids in a microchannel. Ekta et al 16 carried out a numerical study to investigate the mixing characteristics and pressure drop of a spiral micromixer by varying width and depth of the micromixers. They found that for Re > 50, the mixing efficiency does not improve significantly.…”