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Experimental Studies of Droplet Formation Process and Length for Liquid–Liquid Two-Phase Flows in a Microchannel

Author

Listed:
  • Li Lei

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Yuting Zhao

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Wukai Chen

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Huiling Li

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Xinyu Wang

    (Institute of Thermal Science and Technology, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

  • Jingzhi Zhang

    (School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China
    Shandong Engineering Laboratory for High-Efficiency Energy Conservation and Energy Storage Technology & Equipment, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250061, China)

Abstract

In this study, changes in the droplet formation mechanism and the law of droplet length in a two-phase liquid–liquid system in 400 × 400 μm standard T-junction microchannels were experimentally studied using a high-speed camera. The study investigated the effects of various dispersed phase viscosities, various continuous phase viscosities, and two-phase flow parameters on droplet length. Two basic flow patterns were observed: slug flow dominated by the squeezing mechanism, and droplet flow dominated by the shear mechanism. The dispersed phase viscosity had almost no effect on droplet length. However, the droplet length decreased with increasing continuous phase viscosity, increasing volume flow rate in the continuous phase, and the continuous-phase capillary number Ca c . Droplet length also increased with increasing volume flow rate in the dispersed phase and with the volume flow rate ratio. Based on the droplet formation mechanism, a scaling law governing slug and droplet length was proposed and achieved a good fit with experimental data.

Suggested Citation

  • Li Lei & Yuting Zhao & Wukai Chen & Huiling Li & Xinyu Wang & Jingzhi Zhang, 2021. "Experimental Studies of Droplet Formation Process and Length for Liquid–Liquid Two-Phase Flows in a Microchannel," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:5:p:1341-:d:508494
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhongchao Zhao & Kai Zhao & Dandan Jia & Pengpeng Jiang & Rendong Shen, 2017. "Numerical Investigation on the Flow and Heat Transfer Characteristics of Supercritical Liquefied Natural Gas in an Airfoil Fin Printed Circuit Heat Exchanger," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Bowen Ling & Hasan J. Khan & Jennifer L. Druhan & Ilenia Battiato, 2020. "Multi-Scale Microfluidics for Transport in Shale Fabric," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Tomislav Markovic & Ilja Ocket & Adrijan Baric & Bart Nauwelaers, 2020. "Design and Comparison of Resonant and Non-Resonant Single-Layer Microwave Heaters for Continuous Flow Microfluidics in Silicon-Glass Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-13, May.
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