Y型微通道内气泡非对称破裂行为的数值研究

基于微通道两相流的微流控技术已得到广泛的应用,精确控制通道中气泡或液滴的尺寸对相关微流控系统的设计起到至关重要的作用.本文基于流体体积法重构Y型微通道内的气泡破裂行为,系统研究了气泡无量纲尺寸(1.2—2.7)、出口流量比(1—4)以及主通道雷诺数(100—600)对气泡破裂行为的影响.发现气泡非对称破裂过程分为3个阶段:延伸阶段、挤压阶段和快速破裂阶段.在气泡初始尺寸较小或出口流量较大的情况下,气泡不破裂,只经历延伸阶段和挤压阶段.进一步针对不同尺寸和出口流量比揭示了气泡的4种破裂模式:隧道-隧道破裂、阻塞-阻塞破裂、隧道-阻塞破裂和不破裂.随着出口流量比的增大,气泡的破裂过程逐渐变为非对称破裂,其破裂模式沿隧道-隧道破裂/阻塞-阻塞破裂、逐渐向隧道-阻塞破裂和不破裂方向转变.在此基础上获得了不同雷诺数和初始气泡尺寸下,气泡破裂的临界流量比以及气泡破裂后子气泡体积比随出口流量比的变化规律并提炼了相应的准则关联式,可为精确调控破裂后子气泡的尺寸提供理论指导.     

微通道内不混溶气液两相二氧化碳界面动力学行为的格子Boltzmann研究

将高精度的二氧化碳状态方程与气液两相流格子Boltzmann方法中的伪势模型耦合,研究微通道内二氧化碳气液两相流动的界面动力学行为,包括二氧化碳气泡和液滴的分裂、合并、变形,以及气液两相二氧化碳在演化过程中的质量交换.研究发现：当分裂和合并行为达到平衡,并且两相之间不发生质量交换时流动达到稳态.稳态时的流型主要依赖于表面张力,惯性力,管道的润湿性,以及初始体积分数.当表面张力较大时,微通道内形成的二氧化碳气泡或液滴会收缩成圆形,此时二氧化碳气泡或液滴会堵塞微通道,形成段塞流;随着表面张力的减小,形成的气泡或液滴不容易收缩,在微通道内更容易发生变形,出现泡状流或环状流.当壁面润湿性为强疏水性时,二氧化碳在微通道中的流动为环状流,其它润湿性下,流型为段塞流.体积分数较小时,二氧化碳两相流动的流型为段塞流,体积分数较大时,流型为环状流.     

T型微通道内气泡在藻液中的破裂行为研究

本文以藻液作为连续相,空气作为分散相,采用对称与非对称两种结构的T型微通道,对其内部气泡的破裂行为进行可视化研究,探求了不同结构下微通道内气泡在藻液中的破裂行为及其变化规律.实验结果表明:在对称T型微通道内,气泡在藻液中的运动行为可分为两种,即完全阻塞破裂和不破裂;在对称T型微通道内,气泡的破裂周期主要受气液流量的影响...     

同向流动微气泡产生与分裂的实验研究

本文使用高速CCD可视化技术研究硅微通道内气液等温同向流动微气泡形成过程.作为离散相的空气和连续相的水,流经各自通道后汇聚在主通道前段;在一定的流量比值范围内,连续产生大小均匀的微气泡;发现存在bubbling和jetting两种微气泡形成模式.气泡产生频率随空气和水的流速增大而增加.最后研究了气泡在T型微通道出口处的行为,观察到分裂和不分裂两种形式并进行了分析.     

流动聚焦型微流控体系中的液滴的图案化排列和转变模式

流体在微流通道中形成剪切流场(低雷诺数)．不同于宏观体系,由于剪切力和表面张力的竞争作用,产生的液滴在微尺度下的微流通道中形成特殊的排列现象---周期性类似“晶格”排列现象．设计了新型流动聚焦型微流控芯片,分析研究在微流体系中液滴周期性图案化排列和转变机理性,液滴排列模式受两方面因素影响：水油两相的流速比值和微通道尺寸．当微通道宽度为250或300 μm时,液滴形成单层分散,双层和单层挤压排列．当微通道宽度为350 μm 时,液滴会形成单层分散到三层排列到双层挤压最后到单层挤压排列．当出口通道宽度增加到400 μm时,甚至出现了液滴四层排列的现象．同时研究了各个液滴排列模式的“转变点”.     

微矩形凹槽表面液滴各向异性浸润行为的研究

受自然界启发,仿生微结构被广泛用于调控固-液界面的性质.研究显示,液滴在微结构表面的各向异性浸润行为可用于实现微流动方向和速度的控制,且其各向异性浸润与微结构的尺寸和分布等密切相关.本文研究了微矩形凹槽尺寸对液滴各向异性浸润行为的影响规律.结果显示,液滴沿平行沟槽的方向具有较小的运动阻力、易铺展,因此具有较小接触角;而垂直于沟槽方向,由于沟槽的阻隔作用具有较大运动阻力,因而具有较大接触角,并且在垂直方向液滴的浸润过程是三相线一系列钉扎和跳跃行为.在微矩形凹槽表面,液滴沿平行方向接触角θ//与肋板宽度R和凹槽宽度G密切相关,其值与表面固体面积比成反比;而垂直于沟槽方向的接触角θ⊥随肋板宽度R和凹槽宽度G变化基本保持不变.同时各向异性液滴的变形比L/W、特征方向接触角比值θ⊥/θ//与表面固体面积比成正比.研究结果有助于加深理解微结构表面浸润行为的机制,并为微矩形凹槽在微流动控制方向的应用提供技术支持.     

T型微通道中微液滴被动破裂的可视化实验研究

本文搭建了微流体实验平台,对T型微通道内微液滴的对称被动破裂进行可视化实验研究,探索微液滴破裂的机理。采用横截面为200μm×100μm或100μm×100μm的微通道,用改性硅油和花生油作为连续相,去离子水作为离散相,在毛细数为0~0.1的范围下,捕捉到了T型微通道被动破裂的隧道破裂、不连续阻塞破裂、永久阻塞破裂和未破裂等四种流型,绘制了流型图并获得了临界毛细数与微液滴的无量纲轴向长度经验关联式,用来预测不同结构及尺寸微通道发生破裂等与未破裂的条件.     

T型微通道内溶胶液滴形成过程

以制备空心玻璃微球的前体溶胶和硅油为原料,采用实验观测和数值模拟的方法,对T型微通道内溶胶乳液形成过程进行研究。基于液滴的受力分析,建立了液滴形成过程的数学模型,探讨了液滴大小的变化规律。研究结果表明:对于给定的物料体系和T型微通道,通过改变两相流量可以有效地控制液滴尺寸;在相同的分散相流量条件下,增大连续相流量可以减小液滴尺寸,但连续相流量大到一定程度后,这种效果逐渐减弱;在给定的连续相流量条件下,分散相流量越大,液滴直径越大;利用数学模型计算出的液滴直径与实验值偏差在10%左右。根据模拟结果和摄像分析,液滴产生过程经历了静态长大和缩颈剥离两个主要阶段。     

T型正弦微通道内气液两相流动的数值研究

在T型微通道的基础上,对其结构进行改造,提出了一种T型正弦波节微通道,并构建了微型气液反应装置。运用CFD方法,数值研究了微通道内的气泡形成过程及气液分布情况,拟合出了计算T型微通道内气泡液柱尺寸的关联式。结果表明:T型正弦波节微通道内的气泡形成机制与常规T型微通道相同,为挤压机制,颈部断裂过程经历的时间较常规T型微通道稍长。该结构类型的正弦波节微通道与常规平直圆管相比,当量直径增大了50%,气液接触面积相应增大了25%,有效地提高了传质效率。     

二维斜面粗糙边界附近颗粒流量密度分布

以往的实验研究中，已经知道粗糙边界条件下，二维颗粒流的颗粒流量是以通道中心横向对称分布的，颗粒流横向分布既受通道宽度的影响，同时也受通道斜面倾斜角的影响，而且颗粒在通道两侧的分布明显少于通道中间. 主要研究粗糙边界附近颗粒分布随通道宽度以及通道斜面倾斜角的变化规律. 在稀疏流状态以及保持边界墙体的粗糙度不变的条件下，对应不同通道宽度，粗糙边界附近10d范围内的颗粒流量密度(ξ=ρv)随斜面倾斜角的增大而减小，颗粒流量密度随通道宽度的变化存在一临界宽度Wc；在通道宽度小于Wc时，粗糙墙体附近10d范围内颗粒流量密度ξ随sinθ呈指数衰减，通道宽度大于Wc时，颗粒流量密度ξ_sinθ曲线随θ增大几乎呈线性减小. 关键词： 二维颗粒流 颗粒物质 颗粒流量密度     

Y型微通道内双重乳液流动破裂机理

基于体积分数法建立了Y型微通道中双重乳液流动非稳态理论模型,数值模拟研究了Y型微通道内双重乳液破裂情况,详细分析了双重乳液流经Y型微通道时的流场信息以及双重乳液形变参数演化特性,定量地给出了双重乳液流动破裂的驱动以及阻碍作用,揭示了双重乳液破裂流型的内在机理.研究结果表明:流经Y型微通道时,双重乳液受上游压力驱动产生形变,形变过程中乳液两端界面张力差阻碍双重乳液形变破裂,两者正相关;隧道的出现将减缓双重乳液外液滴颈部收缩速率以及沿流向拉伸的速率,并减缓了内液滴沿流向拉伸的速率,其对于内液滴颈部收缩速率影响不大;隧道破裂和不破裂工况临界线可以采用幂律关系式l~*=βCa~b进行预测,隧道破裂和阻塞破裂工况临界线可以采用线性关系l~*=α描述;与单乳液运动相图相比,双重乳液运动相图各工况的分界线关系式系数α和β均相应增大.     

Numerical simulation on dynamic behaviors of bubbles flowing through bifurcate T-junction in microfluidic device

Based on the volume of fluid(VOF) method, a numerical model of bubbles splitting in a microfluidic device with T-junction is developed and solved numerically. Various flow patterns are distinguished and the effects of bubble length,capillary number, and diameter ratio between the mother channel and branch are discussed. The break-up mechanism is explored in particular. The results indicate that the behaviors of the bubbles can be classified into two categories: break-up and non-break. Under the condition of slug flowing, the branches are obstructed by the bubbles that the pressure difference drives the bubbles into break-up state, while the bubbles that retain non-break state flow into an arbitrary branch under bubbling flow condition. The break-up of the short bubbles only occurs when the viscous force from the continuous phase overcomes the interfacial tension. The behavior of the bubbles transits from non-break to break-up with the increase of capillary number. In addition, the increasing of the diameter ratio is beneficial to the symmetrical break-up of the bubbles.     

微流控法二乙烯基苯乳液粒子成型机理研究

采用相界面跟踪(V()F)数值模拟方法,研究了轴流型微流控芯片中流速比、界面张力、粘度等对乳液粒子粒径的影响。模拟结果表明:乳液粒子粒径与流速比的对数存在线性关系,在一定范围内,当流速比增大时,粒径变小;当界面张力小于0.025 N/m时,乳液粒径随界面张力增大而增加,当界面张力超过0.03N/m时,乳液粒径变化趋于平缓;分散相粘度对乳液粒径的影响甚微。以聚乙烯醇(PVA)水溶液为连续相,二乙烯基苯(DVB)溶液为分散相,采用自制的聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)轴流型微流控芯进行了DVB乳液粒子成型实验研究,获得了0.5~3.0 mm的DVB乳液粒子。     

电场对协流式微流控装置中乳液液滴生成行为的调控机理

建立了直流电场作用下协流式微流控装置中单乳液液滴乳化生成过程的非稳态理论模型,并开展了数值模拟研究,揭示了电场对液滴乳化生成动力学行为的调控机理,阐明了流场/电场参数对液滴乳化生成特性的影响规律.研究结果表明:沿流体流动方向施加静电场可在电物性参数不同的两相流体界面法线方向上产生指向内相流体的电场力,进而强化了内相流体界面的颈缩和断裂,提升了液滴生成速率和形变程度,减小了液滴生成尺寸;在同一毛细数下,随着电毛细数的增大,乳液乳化流型由每周期仅有单一液滴生成的滴式流型转变为每周期有一个主液滴并伴随有卫星液滴生成的滴式流型;随着毛细数和电毛细数的增大,黏性拖曳力以及电场力作用增强,使内相流体颈缩过程后期更容易形成细长型液线,从而有助于诱发液线上产生Rayleigh-Plateau不稳定现象,继而促进卫星液滴的形成.     

Numerical simulation on partial coalescence of a droplet with different impact velocities

Partial coalescence is a complicated flow phenomenon. In the present study, the coalescence process is simulated with the volume of fluid(VOF) method. The numerical results reveal that a downward high-velocity region plays a significant role in partial coalescence. The high-velocity region pulls the droplet downward continuously which is an important factor for the droplet turning into a prolate shape and the final pinch-off. The shift from partial coalescence to full coalescence is explained based on the droplet shape before the pinch-off. With the droplet impact velocity increasing, the droplet shape will get close to a sphere before the pinch-off. When the shape gets close enough to a sphere, the partial coalescence shifts to full coalescence. The effect of film thickness on the coalescence process is also investigated. With large film thickness,partial coalescence happens, while with small film thickness, full coalescence happens. In addition, the results indicate that the critical droplet impact velocity increases with the increase of surface tension coefficient but decreases with the increase of viscosity and initial droplet diameter. And there is a maximum critical Weber number with the increase of surface tension coefficient and initial droplet diameter.     

Decompressing emulsion droplets favors coalescence

The destabilization process of an emulsion under flow is investigated in a microfluidic device. The experimental approach enables us to generate a periodic train of droplet pairs, and thus to isolate and analyze the basic step of the destabilization, namely, the coalescence of two droplets which collide. We demonstrate a counterintuitive phenomenon: coalescence occurs during the separation phase and not during the impact. Separation induces the formation of two facing nipples in the contact area that hastens the connection of the interfaces prior to fusion. Moreover, droplet pairs initially stabilized by surfactants can be destabilized by forcing the separation. Finally, we note that the fusion mechanism is responsible for a cascade of coalescence events in a compact system of droplets where the separation is driven by surface tension.     

Transition from symmetric to asymmetric scaling function before drop pinch-off

The drop pinch-off at a nozzle is studied experimentally for a glycerin-water mixture in surrounding air. The neck diameter of the fluid shrinks with constant velocity. After a distinct transition point, the shrink velocity switches to a smaller value. Before that transition point, the shape of the neck can well be described by a symmetric scaling function, as obtained from Stokes-flow theory of drop formation. This function gives way to an asymmetric scaling function in the final stage before pinch-off.     

Design considerations of power splitters based on optical T-waveguide junctions

In this paper, the problem of power splitting around different T-junction structure is investigated using the finite time difference domain method (FDTD). The variation of the width of one arm of T-junction has a significant impact on the transmitted, radiated and reflected power on both sides. The variation of the cavity parameters on one side of the T-junction lead to a dramatic changes of the ratio of power distribution in the waveguides. Furthermore, the variations of the gradient of the reflectors for symmetric and asymmetric T-junction resonators have shown a great effect on the transmission properties.     

Ultrasonic surface acoustic wave-assisted separation of microscale droplets with varying acoustic impedance

In droplet-based microfluidic platforms, precise separation of microscale droplets of different chemical composition is increasingly necessary for high-throughput combinatorial chemistry in drug discovery and screening assays. A variety of droplet sorting methods have been proposed, in which droplets of the same kind are translocated. However, there has been relatively less effort in developing techniques to separate the uniform-sized droplets of different chemical composition. Most of the previous droplet sorting or separation techniques either rely on the droplet size for the separation marker or adopt on-demand application of a force field for the droplet sorting or separation. The existing droplet microfluidic separation techniques based on the in-droplet chemical composition are still in infancy because of the technical difficulties. In this study, we propose an acoustofluidic method to simultaneously separate microscale droplets of the same volume and dissimilar acoustic impedance using ultrasonic surface acoustic wave (SAW)-induced acoustic radiation force (ARF). For extensive investigation on the SAW-induced ARF acting on both cylindrical and spherical droplets, we first performed a set of the droplet sorting experiments under varying conditions of acoustic impedance of the dispersed phase fluid, droplet velocity, and wave amplitude. Moreover, for elucidation of the underlying physics, a new dimensionless number AR_D was introduced, which was defined as the ratio of the ARF to the drag force acting on the droplets. The experimental results were comparatively analyzed by using a ray acoustics approach and found to be in good agreement with the theoretical estimation. Based on the findings, we successfully demonstrated the simultaneous separation of uniform-sized droplets of the different acoustic impedance under continuous application of the acoustic field in a label-free and detection-free manner. Insomuch as on-chip, precise separation of multiple kinds of droplets is critical in many droplet microfluidic applications, the proposed acoustofluidic approach will provide new prospects for microscale droplet separation.     

Droplets breakup via a splitting microchannel

On the basis of a volume of fluid(VOF) liquid/liquid interface tracking method, we apply a two-dimensional model to investigate the dynamic behaviors of droplet breakup through a splitting microchannel. The feasibility and applicability of the theoretical model are experimentally validated. Four flow regimes are observed in the splitting microchannel, that is, breakup with permanent obstruction, breakup with temporary obstruction, breakup with tunnels, and non-breakup. The results indicate that the increase of the capillary number Ca provides considerable upstream pressure to accelerate the droplet deformation, which is favorable for the droplet breakup. The decrease of the droplet size contributes to its shape changing from the plug to the sphere, which results in weakening droplet deformation ability and generating the nonbreakup flow regime.