Inertial migration of non-spherical particles in straight microfluidic channels

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The paper reports on simulations of particulate flows in square ducts with oblate and prolate particles at a bulk Reynolds number of 100 and dilute particle concentration. Inertial migration leads to focusing of particles in specific regions of the cross section. It is observed that these positions are different for the non-spherical particles compared to those obtained with spherical ones. Prolate particles exhibit Jeffery-type orbits, while oblate particles rotate around their axis of symmetry. As a result, the rotation-induced migration of prolates is much slower than for spheres and oblates. An analysis of the surrounding flow is used to show differences in the velocity field. In a second set of simulations, the particle concentration was increased by a factor of 4 with the same domain size, so that neighboring particles influence each other. The duration until focusing is achieved is substantially increased. The focusing position moves slightly to the wall, and further effects are generated. Steady particle oscillations in position are seen for spheres, and the formation of particle trains is observed in all cases. The interaction of prolate particles is particularly complex and addressed in substantial detail.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number013328
JournalPhysics of fluids
Volume35
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2023
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Mendeley 16b1a0c2-5fb4-3a84-8a96-5961c576543b
unpaywall 10.1063/5.0136714
Scopus 85147021842
WOS 000921518000003

Keywords

Keywords

  • Immersed boundary method, Spherical-particles, Poiseuille flow, Simulation, Separation, Microchannels, Motion, Lift

Library keywords