Electrodiffusion Method of Near-Wall Flow Diagnostics in Microfluidic Systems

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.The electrodiffusion technique has been mostly used for the near-wall flow diagnostics on large scales. A novel technique for fabrication of plastic microfluidic systems with integrated metal microelectrodes (called technique of sacrificed substrate) enables us to produce microfluidic devices with precisely shaped sensors for wall shear stress measurements. Several micrometer thick gold sensors built-in a plastic substrate exhibit good mechanical resistance and smoothness. Proper functioning of prepared chips with microsensors has been first tested in various calibration experiments (polarization curve, sensor response to polarization set-up, steady flow calibration, temperature dependence of diffusivity). Our first results obtained for separating/reattaching flow behind a backward-facing step and for gas-liquid Taylor flow in microchannels then demonstrate its applicability for the detection of near-wall flow reversal, the delimitation of flow-recirculation zones, and the determination of wall shear stress response to moving bubbles. Other applications of these sensors in microfluidics (e.g. characterization of liquid films, capillary waves, bubbles or drops) can be also envisaged

The deflocculation of kaolin suspensions : the effect of various electrolytes

The deflocculation effect of conventional additives to kaolin suspensions is evaluated from the results standard rheological measurements. Several widely used electrolytes (NaOH, Na2C03, Na2Si03, SHMP = sodium hexametaphosphate, and CMC = sodium salts of carboxymethylcellulose) have been tested. The optimal concentrations of these deffloculants, in respect to reaching the maximum reduction of initial suspension viscosity, are found. The stability of deflocculated kaolin suspensions against sedimentation is evaluated and different aspects of the observed flow enhancement discussed. Inorganic electrolytes are found to be more effective in viscosity reduction, but on the other hand, low-molecular organic CMC additives produce more stable final suspensions.Czech Science Foundation GACR through the contract P101/12/058

Deflocculation of kaolin suspensions - The effect of various electrolytes

Viscosity reduction of aqueous kaolin suspensions by conventional additives (deflocculation) is studied, using standard viscosity measurements. Apparent viscosity at 100 s-1, and flow behavior index n give complex information about changes of viscosity and flow character of deflocculated suspensions. Several widely used deflocculants - electrolytes and polyelectrolytes - are tested in a wide range of concentrations. The optimum concentrations of these deflocculants, which result in minimum apparent viscosity of suspension, are found. Sedimentation stability of deflocculated suspensions is monitored. Inorganic electrolytes are found to be more effective in viscosity reduction. On the other hand, low-molecular-weight polyelectrolytes produce more stable final suspensions.The support by Czech Science Foundation GACR through the contract P101/12/0585 is gratefully acknowledged

Characterization of fluid flow in a microchannel with a flow disturbing step

This paper was presented at the 4th Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2014), which was held at University College, London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Italian Union of Thermofluiddynamics, IPEM, the Process Intensification Network, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Heat Transfer Society, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group, and the Energy Institute, ASME Press, LCN London Centre for Nanotechnology, UCL University College London, UCL Engineering, the International NanoScience Community, www.nanopaprika.eu.The flow around a flow-disturbing step in a rectangular microchannel is studied by measuring the wall shear rate along the channel, using the electrodiffusion technique and by determining the velocity field using the -PIV method. A parametric study based on the Design of Experiments (DOE) and the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was then performed, and the effect of key design parameters on the flow characteristics was numerically investigated using CFD simulations. The computational results are in excellent agreement with the corresponding experimental ones. The CFD simulations cover both the laminar and the turbulent flow regime. It was revealed that in both flow regimes the step height has a major influence on the recirculation length. However, the Reynolds number (Re) value affects the recirculation length only in the laminar region, while the step length seems to have no significant effect compared to the Re and the step height. Finally, new correlations are proposed predicting the length of the bottom recirculation zone with reasonable accuracy and can be used as rough guidelines for the design of microdevices

Application of the electrodiffusion method for near-wall flow diagnostics

The electrodiffusion method is presented as a measuring technique suitable for the flow measurement done in close proximity of the wall, thus in the region difficultly accessible by standard anemometric techniques (e.g. PIV, LDA). The experimental results obtained in different flow configurations (backward-facing step flow, wavy film flow, turbulent channel flow, rising Taylor bubbles) document application capabilities of this technique, e.g. for mapping of wall shear stresses, delimitation of stable flow-recirculation zones, detection of short-time reversal of the near-wall flow, investigation of the near-wall turbulence, or detection of moving fluid particles. A new technology of sensor fabrication based on photolithography is introduced and possible applications of microsensors in microfluidic devices discussed

Wall Shear Stress Induced by Taylor Bubbles in Inclined Flow Channels

The motion of single air bubbles in flat channels is experimentally investigated. The electrodiffusion technique of near-wall flow diagnostics is applied to measure the wall shear stress distribution under large rising bubbles. The measurements are synchronized with the visual observation of bubble movement by a high-speed camera. The analysis of video records provides information on the bubble shape and terminal velocity. The experiments are carried out for three different channel configuration (with heights of 1.5, 4, and 8 mm), cover a wide range of channel inclination angles (from horizontal to vertical position), and dealing with both the bubbles in stagnant and in co-flowing water. The directionally sensitive, two-strip electrodiffusion probe is proved to be an effective tool to investigate the near-wall flow response to translating bubbles. It provides information not only on the wall shear rate distribution, but also detects the location of near-wall flow reversal, gives an estimate of the thickness of liquid film separating the large bubble from the wall, and provides also the characteristics of capillary waves appearing in the bubble tail region. The effect of channel inclination angle on the modification of wall shear stress distribution along the upper and bottom wall is also discussed

Oscillations of bubbles attached to a capillary: case of pure liquid

An oscillating bubble attached to a tip of a capillary is used for probing interfacial properties of liquids containing surface-active agents. Nevertheless, available theories even for the case of pure liquid are not satisfactory. In this contribution, we therefore present results of a linear inviscid theory for shape oscillations of a spherical bubble, which is in contact with a solid support. The theory allows determining eigenmodes (i.e. eigenfrequencies, eigenmode shapes and damping of eigenmode oscillations), but also response of the bubble shape to a motion of its support or to volume variations. Present theory covers also the cases previously analyzed by Strani and Sabetta (J. Fluid Mech., 1984) and Bostwick and Steen (Phys. Fluids, 2009), and it can be applied to both bubbles and drops. The theory has been compared to experiments. Good agreement is found for the case of small bubbles, which have spherical static shape. Experimental results for larger bubbles and drops deviate from the theory, if a neck is formed. It is shown that this deviation correlates well with a ratio of bubble volume to the maximum volume, when a detachment occurs

Wall Shear Stress Induced by Taylor Bubbles in Inclined Flow Channels

The motion of single air bubbles in flat channels is experimentally investigated. The electrodiffusion technique of near-wall flow diagnostics is applied to measure the wall shear stress distribution under large rising bubbles. The measurements are synchronized with the visual observation of bubble movement by a high-speed camera. The analysis of video records provides information on the bubble shape and terminal velocity. The experiments are carried out for three different channel configuration (with heights of 1.5, 4, and 8 mm), cover a wide range of channel inclination angles (from horizontal to vertical position), and dealing with both the bubbles in stagnant and in co-flowing water. The directionally sensitive, two-strip electrodiffusion probe is proved to be an effective tool to investigate the near-wall flow response to translating bubbles. It provides information not only on the wall shear rate distribution, but also detects the location of near-wall flow reversal, gives an estimate of the thickness of liquid film separating the large bubble from the wall, and provides also the characteristics of capillary waves appearing in the bubble tail region. The effect of channel inclination angle on the modification of wall shear stress distribution along the upper and bottom wall is also discussed