Systematic study of the dynamics of liquid capillary rise within vertical microchannels

Abstract

The study of capillary rise of different fluids in a capillary tube is analyzed using different experimental and mathematical methods and simulation with Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD). Experimental tests are carried out, which in turn are compared with simplified mathematical models and CFD simulations trying to predict the same behavior of the experiments, discussing the similarities or differences found. Capillary forces or linear forces are assumed to have a significant impact on the process by neglecting gravitational forces. We find that for certain cases (depending on the time scale) the behavior can be favorable. Just as the properties of viscosity, interfacial tension and contact angle predominate in the behavior of fluids in the simulations, even the type of tube material also influences the behavior. Since if the material is hydrophilic or hydrophobic it drastically changes the conduction of the fluid, allowing you to be able to predict properties on site.