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Evaluation of a Microfluidic Mixer Utilizing Staggered Herringbone Channels: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach

Hama, Brian
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1503954013980881

Abstract Details

2017, Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Washkewicz College of Engineering.
Microfluidic platforms offer a variety of advantages including improved heat transfer, low working volumes, ease of scale-up, and strong user control on parameters. However, flow within microfluidic channels occurs at low Reynolds numbers, which makes mixing difficult to accomplish. Adding V-shaped ridges to channel walls, a pattern called the staggered herringbone design (SHB), might alleviate this problem by introducing transverse flow patterns that enable enhanced mixing. However, certain factors affecting the SHB mixer’s performance remain largely unexplored. In this work, a microfluidic mixer utilizing the SHB geometry was developed and characterized using computational fluid dynamics based simulations and complimentary experiments. A channel design with SHB ridges was simulated in COMSOL Multiphysics under a variety of operating conditions to evaluate its mixing capabilities. The device was fabricated using soft-lithography to experimentally observe the mixing process. The mixing was visualized by pumping fluorescent dyes through the device and imaging the channels using a confocal microscope. The device was found to efficiently mix fluids rapidly, based on both simulations and experiments. Varying the Reynolds number or component diffusion coefficients had a weak effect on the mixing profile, due to the laminar flow regime and insufficient residence time, respectively. Mixing effectiveness decreased as the component flow rate ratio increased. Fluid flow patterns visualized in confocal microscope images were highly identical to the simulated results, suggesting that the simulations serve as good predictors of the device’s performance. This SHB mixer design would be a good candidate for further implementation as a reactor.
Chandra Kothapalli, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Jorge Gatica, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Petru Fodor, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Miron Kaufman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Chemical Engineering
microfluidics; mixing; computational fluid dynamics; comsol; staggered herringbone

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hama, B. (2017). Evaluation of a Microfluidic Mixer Utilizing Staggered Herringbone Channels: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach [Master's thesis, Cleveland State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1503954013980881

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hama, Brian. Evaluation of a Microfluidic Mixer Utilizing Staggered Herringbone Channels: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach. 2017. Cleveland State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1503954013980881.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hama, Brian. "Evaluation of a Microfluidic Mixer Utilizing Staggered Herringbone Channels: A Computational Fluid Dynamics Approach." Master's thesis, Cleveland State University, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=csu1503954013980881

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

csu1503954013980881
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Cleveland State University and OhioLINK.