Mixing efficiency of Y-type micromixers with different angles

• Published in: The International journal of heat and fluid flow 2013-12, Vol.44, p.130-139
• Main Authors: Hsieh, Shou-Shing, Lin, Jyun-Wei, Chen, Jyun-Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Angle effect; Applied fluid mechanics; Biological and medical sciences; Biotechnology; Buckminsterfullerene; Electroosmotic flow; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Fluidics; Fluids; Fullerenes; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Joule heating; Methods. Procedures. Technologies; Mixing length; Optimization; Particle image velocimetry; Physics; Various methods and equipments; Y-micromixer
• ISSN: 0142-727X; 1879-2278
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheatfluidflow.2013.05.011

•Angle effect of Y-type micromixers has been extensively studied.•Using μLIF/μPIV to visualize and quantify concentration and velocity distribution.•Optimal angle can be obtained based upon mixing efficiency and mixing length.•Effect of Joule heating on mixing was studied and discussed. The angle effect (α=+30°, ±60°, ±90°, and ±120°) of Y-type micromixers has been extensively studied using micro Laser Induced Fluorescence (μLIF) and micro Particle Image Velocimetry (μPIV) optical techniques to visualize and quantify concentration and velocity fields in order to examine mixing performance. An optimal α was obtained based upon mixing efficiency and mixing length. In addition, the effect of Joule heating on mixing was studied and discussed here.