Non-linear dynamics of semi-dilute polydisperse polymer solutions in microfluidics: effects of flow geometry

The non-linear dynamics of a semi-dilute (c/c* = 15) polydisperse polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution in microfluidics are studied experimentally using benchmark contraction–expansion flow geometries with three contraction–expansion ratios (4:1:4, 8:1:8 and 16:1:16) and two narrow channel lengths (L _c/D _h = 53 and 5.3, where L _c is the length of the narrow channel and D _h is its hydraulic diameter). Complex flows over a range of elasticity numbers (El), Weissenberg numbers (Wi) and Reynolds numbers (Re) are characterized using micro-particle image velocimetry ( \upmu\upmu-PIV) and pressure drop measurements. The evolution of vortex formation and dynamics has been visualized through a step-flow-rate experiment. Various flow dynamics regimes have been quantified and are presented in a Wi–Re diagram. The experimental results reveal that the contraction ratio can result in qualitatively different vortex dynamics of semi-dilute polymer solutions in microfluidics, whereas the length of the narrow channel merely affects the dynamics at a quantitative level. A single elasticity number, if defined by the size of the narrow channel, is not sufficient to account for the effects of contraction ratio on the non-linear vortex dynamics.