{"title":"Experimental study of flow rate ratio effects on plug flow hydrodynamics in a T-junction rectangular microchannel","authors":"Mohammed Said, Souad Harmand","doi":"10.1007/s10404-026-02908-w","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The influence of the flow rate ratio on plug hydrodynamics is investigated experimentally in a rectangular T-junction microchannel under different conditions, where water plugs are dispersed in a silicone oil carrier phase. The study examines plug length, generation frequency, velocity, and shape. The results show that the resultant forces at the junction, characterised by the two-phase capillary number <i>Ca</i><sub><i>TP</i></sub>, predominantly govern all plug characteristics. Under constant <i>Ca</i><sub><i>TP</i></sub>, the plug length increases linearly with the flow rate ratio, while the generation frequency remains within the range of 41–55 Hz. Plug velocity is primarily controlled by the liquid film thickness, which varies with the flow rate ratio, whereas plug shape is only weakly influenced by this parameter. These findings enhance understanding of two-phase plug flow in microchannels and provide valuable insights for controlling plug flow regimes in microelectronic cooling applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":706,"journal":{"name":"Microfluidics and Nanofluidics","volume":"30 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.9000,"publicationDate":"2026-06-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Microfluidics and Nanofluidics","FirstCategoryId":"5","ListUrlMain":"https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10404-026-02908-w","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"INSTRUMENTS & INSTRUMENTATION","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
The influence of the flow rate ratio on plug hydrodynamics is investigated experimentally in a rectangular T-junction microchannel under different conditions, where water plugs are dispersed in a silicone oil carrier phase. The study examines plug length, generation frequency, velocity, and shape. The results show that the resultant forces at the junction, characterised by the two-phase capillary number CaTP, predominantly govern all plug characteristics. Under constant CaTP, the plug length increases linearly with the flow rate ratio, while the generation frequency remains within the range of 41–55 Hz. Plug velocity is primarily controlled by the liquid film thickness, which varies with the flow rate ratio, whereas plug shape is only weakly influenced by this parameter. These findings enhance understanding of two-phase plug flow in microchannels and provide valuable insights for controlling plug flow regimes in microelectronic cooling applications.
期刊介绍：
Microfluidics and Nanofluidics is an international peer-reviewed journal that aims to publish papers in all aspects of microfluidics, nanofluidics and lab-on-a-chip science and technology. The objectives of the journal are to (1) provide an overview of the current state of the research and development in microfluidics, nanofluidics and lab-on-a-chip devices, (2) improve the fundamental understanding of microfluidic and nanofluidic phenomena, and (3) discuss applications of microfluidics, nanofluidics and lab-on-a-chip devices. Topics covered in this journal include:
1.000 Fundamental principles of micro- and nanoscale phenomena like,
flow, mass transport and reactions
3.000 Theoretical models and numerical simulation with experimental and/or analytical proof
4.000 Novel measurement & characterization technologies
5.000 Devices (actuators and sensors)
6.000 New unit-operations for dedicated microfluidic platforms
7.000 Lab-on-a-Chip applications
8.000 Microfabrication technologies and materials
Please note, Microfluidics and Nanofluidics does not publish manuscripts studying pure microscale heat transfer since there are many journals that cover this field of research (Journal of Heat Transfer, Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, etc.).
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