What is it about?
Our paper investigates a CFD-based analysis for gas-liquid, and liquid-liquid Taylor flows through a circular axisymmetric microchannel with a sudden enlargement. The flow physics associated with the different physical properties, superficial velocities, and diameter expansions provide insight into Taylor flow and evolved within the entrance, transition (i.e., over the diameter expansion section), and fully developed regions.
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Why is it important?
A series of simulations are conducted by exploring the influence of different superficial velocity ratios, apparent viscosities, and channel expansion on the hydrodynamics of slug flow. A concentric junction introduces dispersed airflow into a continuous flow of water for gas-liquid flow, and the junction introduces dispersed water into a continuous flow of dodecane for liquid-liquid flow. The air-bubble and water-slug evolution processes, slug breakup, and slug expansion are investigated. In all cases, the lengths of air bubbles and water slugs increase with increasing superficial velocity ratio, particularly before the expansion.
Perspectives
The numerical results of this study offered a greater understanding of two-phase Taylor flow in capillary microchannels, and the methodology reported herein can also be extended to either heat or mass transfer applications in these types of segmented flow. Writing this paper was a wonderful experience to showcase how a simple idea of channel expansion can lead to a great contribution in the field of Taylor flow.
Dr Amin Etminan
Memorial University of Newfoundland
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Numerical investigation of gas–liquid and liquid–liquid
T
aylor flow through a circular microchannel with a sudden expansion, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, July 2021, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/cjce.24229.
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