Effect of droplet superficial velocity on mixing efficiency in a microchannel

Abstract

In this study, droplet characteristics including droplet length and formation time, and mixing efficiency in droplets were investigated via the volume of fluid (VOF) method coupled with a user defined scalar (UDS) model. A cross-shaped junction with a square cross-section was designed and used for droplet formation. An initial arrangement which differed from that of a conventional operation was adopted. Results show that when the droplet superficial velocity is constant, the exchange between the dispersed phase velocity and the continuous phase velocity has a marginal effect on the droplet formation time. However, the exchange has a great effect on droplet length. These findings provide a valuable guide for future operation of droplet formation. In addition, the results show that the mixing efficiency in the droplet forming stage can be classified into time-dominated and length-dominated regimes according to the droplet superficial velocity. When a droplet flows in a microchannel, a higher droplet superficial velocity increases mixing efficiency due to the faster inner circulation and shorter droplet length.